Help needed with t3/t4

[bluestuff]

Hi. Looking for advice. I have been trying 25mcg of t3 along with 100mcg Levothyroxine. This was at 150. At the time my results were free t4 21.2 pmol/l and tsh 0.19 my/l. Weight still going on despite running everyday so had another test. T4 now looks a bit better at 17.4 pmol/l, but tsh <0.05 mu/l so very low. What do I do next doctor says reduce Levothyroxine to 100 but did not know I had added t3. Shall I just go back to Levothyroxine at say 125? Help, desperate

[Marz]

As you are taking T3 then it needs testing. Also we need ranges for your results - as labs vary. Your GP wants you to reduce based on the TSH. T3 reduces TSH.

How are your vitamins and minerals ? Do you have results from before you started T3 ?

[bluestuff in reply to Marz]

I’m quite new to the idea of vitamins so not sure what I should take. The first figures were before t3 thanks

[bluestuff in reply to bluestuff]

Ranges are for t4 9.0-22.7 and tsh 0.35-5.50. Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

When taking T3 it's essential to run full Thyroid tests. As NHS often refuses to test FT3 you will need to test privately

TSH is pretty much always suppressed on T3, it doesn't necessarily mean you are over medicated

Also test vitamin levels if not been done recently

For full Thyroid evaluation on T3 essential to test TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, and if on T3 don't take in 12 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[bluestuff in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you I will certainly look into all of this

[cjrsquared]

T3 is 3 to 4 times as potent as levothyroxine, therefore 25mcg t3 is equivalent to 75-100mcg levothyroxine. Did you have ft3 and ft4 levels tested prior to starting liothyronine? Did you also start with a low dose say 6.25mcg then add in another 6.25 mcg Later in the day? Many people take their t3 in 2 doses during the day due to the short half life.

I would suggest you tell your gp what you are doing otherwise they will hound you about your meds. I owned up to my gp who wasn’t happy but agreed that that other patients in the practice were doing the same. I also told the ent surgeon who said the same. I get one set of full bloods yearly from the hospital consultant and pay privately for 1 or 2 more sets a year. Hope you feel better than on Levo only.

[wakeham]

Bluestuff sorry you are having such a problem with T3 but at least they are still allowing you to have T3 my Consultant worked hard to get me off T3 of which he managed!!!!

now on thyroxine 75mcg but I now have Autoimmune disease R/arthritis which all comes from the Hashimotos so look after yourself Bluestuff .

Regards wakeham

[Pamboz in reply to wakeham]

How sad, I source my own t3 and endo monitors, feel fab. Levo is so bad for me. No more aches and pains.

[Ferritz]

Hi T3 is powerful stuff and needs to be taken on split doses throughout the day for best results. Not sure how you have decided on your doses?

Not sure if I can recommend an FB group on here but please delete if not . Join TAWKI GROUP on FB. They are very knowledgable and will give help and advice based on STTM website . Check that out too invaluable.

[Pamboz]

That's an enormous dose of drugs. I am only on 20 mcg of t3 and it has sorted me out, was on 100 of levo and struggling. What is written above is all relevant, get your t3 and reverse t3 tested, the cost will be worth it. I get my t3 tested on NHS by my endo.