Update to my last question: 3.25 grains NDT but now overdosed?

[biowarrior]

I posted a question about 2 and a bit weeks ago, where I stupidly mucked up my test, leaving 40 hours between my last dose. Since then I have moved my dose up from 3 grains to 3.25, which I regret as this time my blood tests give a FT3 that is too high ( where I took my dose at 10pm and had my test at 9am.) I guess this makes sense as I didn't really have complaints on 3 grains, and actually last few days, heart rate has felt a bit fast. OR am I imaging that?

TSH 0

Free thyroxine 17.3 pmol/L (12-22)

Free T3 7.5 pmol/L (3.1-6.8)

I regret, going up 3.25, I just thought its not very much and maybe it will improve this eye condition.

So what should I do now, go back to 3 grains, or even lower? I guess I am nearly there as T4 is mid range, and Free T3 could be close to top with a bit of a reduced dose. So I am converting a bit, right, or is all this T3 from the NDT.

I also had another question, I am a young male, and now I am on hormones, my physical abilities are as good as ever. So Say if I did want to run 20k one day, or do a long day in the mountains, ski touring or something, would that deplete all my T3? Is that something I just can't do, or if I do it, should I take 25mg T3 the day after. This is a bit extra, but I was interested.

Thanks, and thanks to all the help before, as you guys were right, I didnt need to move up. And you really know your stuff, as due to my stupidity I had made it quite complicated. I do think NDT has been good, and am glad I went straight for it, rather than just T4.

[Greybeard]

Dose adjustments should be 1/4 grain at a time, so down to 3 grains where you felt ok. Retest in about 6 weeks. I don't think anyone can give advise on supplimentary dosing for extreme exertion.

[biowarrior in reply to Greybeard]

Ok understood, yes that query I had is not that important, as I am not planning to do that strenuous exercise any more, I was just interested in how much T3 gets depleted, as I noticed I did feel more tired than normal, the day after I do a long run

[greygoose]

You can't just take the odd 25 mcg T3 here and there. For a start it would be far to much more than what you're used to. And the inconsistancy will completely confuse your body. With T3 you need a steady, constant dose.

I would suggest that you reduce your NDT back to 3 grains and wait a full six weeks before retesting, let things settle down. Hormones are not instant acting. Then get a retest.

[biowarrior in reply to greygoose]

Ok thanks greygoose, I understand, I was just thinking for one off events. I am not sure how much T3 levels are depleted by say 3 hours of sport.

Yes I think that is what I will do, 3 grains was probably the right amount.

And do you think I am converting to FT3, by the looks of my results?

[greygoose in reply to biowarrior]

Impossible to tell. To know how well you're converting, you would need to be on T4 only.

T3 levels aren't actually depleted. That's the wrong way to explain it. But I haven't yet got to grips with it well enough to explain. I would just say that you need a certain level of T3 to support your excessive exercise. And yours should be high enough. The best judge of that is how you feel the next day. It could be that you're one of those people - me included - that has a certain resistance to T3 at a cellular level, and needs their levels over-range. But, at the moment, we don't have enough information to know that. As I said, you need to let things settle down for a while, then retest, and then monitor your reactions to your sporting activities and your symptoms, etc. Then we'll know more.

[biowarrior in reply to greygoose]

That's really interesting greygoose, so you have T3 above range, how far above range do you aim for? I just read your bio, and am very sorry to hear about your story, but hope it is getting better and better.

I'm so glad I've got yourself and others here, there is a wealth of knowledge and people are pragmatic in their advice.

I am glad I chose to go on NDT as I feel my results indicate that it is a good treatment option, as I should be able to get mid T4 range and high T3 range with 3 grains and I had no complaints when on 3 grains.

I don't think I am resistant, as my heart rate felt too fast the last 5 days or so, but I haven't been exercising, so don't know if that would have used up the T3 effects in a way and you need more.

Yes I am taking your advice, 3 grains was good for me or near the right level, so no harm in doing 6 weeks and then seeing the actual result.

The sporting thing is not terribly important, obviously I am thrilled that I am unencumbered, and can move about, and get on with things. I was just wondering if I could do a weeks mountaineering, with quite full on days, or if that is totally not feasible now. I loved sport before this mess, I do feel young again, so not sure why I couldn't.

[greygoose in reply to biowarrior]

You probably can - or will be able to - but work up slowly. Don't go straight into a week in the mountains or you'll wear yourself out.

I have not idea how far over-range my FT3 is because I haven't done a test for years. I know my body well enough to know what it wants at any given time. But, probably not a lot of over. It's just that if I'd listened to my doctor wanting me to reduce my T3 when my TSH was just 0.45 (can't remember what my T3 was, but low) I'd be a gibbering vegetable, by now.