T3

[Shredder]

Hi all I have a stupid question (so apologies beforehand) but what is the difference between the T3 in NDT and the T3 in Liothyronine that my G.P prescribes for my hypothyroidism. I am only wondering because the Liothyronine plus Levo alleviates my hypo symptoms but gives me intolerable insomnia?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Shredder

The T3 (liothyronine) that your GP prescribes is synthetic.

The T3 (and T4) in NDT is natural in that it is from the thyroid gland of pigs, dried/desiccated and made into tablets with synthetic binders and fillers.

[jimh111]

It's exactly the same T3 but you may be getting different doses from the liothyronine and the NDT. Also NDT and liothyronine may have different absorption rates. It sounds like you are getting more T3 from the liothyronine than from the NDT. You would need to measure TSH, fT3, fT4 about half way between doses whilst on each regime so that you can see what blood levels of hormone you are getting.

The NDT also contains dextrothyroxine which has little effect, along with T2 and possibly other substances yet to be discovered. I don't think these would make much difference but cannot be sure as high quality research has not been done to discover the differences.

[jimh111]

I looked at one of your previous posts, you were on 50 mcg levothyroxine plus 40 mcg liothyronine. This is a much higher proportion of T3 than in NDT and would explain difficulty in getting to sleep. I would try 10 mcg liothyronine at breakfast and 10 mcg at bedtime. You can split the 20 mcg tablets in two by snapping between fingers and thumbs or use a knife or pill splitter. This might be too low a dose so you could work up to 100 mcg levothyroxine to find the dose that suits you.

I'm not opposed to NDT but you are stuck with the T3 / T4 ratio in NDT which is unlikely to be idea. So mixing levothyroxine / liothyronine gives more flexibility or even mixing NDT / levothyroxine if you wish.

[Shredder in reply to jimh111]

Thanks Jim. I tried 100mcg of Levo plus 6mcg of Liothyronine to start instead of the 150mcg of Levo I was originally on but although my hypo symptoms are definitely a lot lot better with the addition of the t3 I'm finding the insomnia intolerable as I'm having hardly any deep, restful sleep. Strangely even though Liothyronine has a short life I feel the very high dose that I was taking a couple of weeks ago (20mcg liothyronine twice a day plus 60mcg Levo) has strangely built up in my system as i have taken 100mcg of Levo and 12.5mcg of Liothyronine before without the awful insomnia.

[jimh111 in reply to Shredder]

Can you clarify the insonmia. Do you find it difficult to get to sleep or fall asleep and wake up many times.

[Shredder]

Yes it isn't like typical times where you may suffer occasional insomnia. It's like a wired insomnia. Not feeling sleepy, forcing myself to close my eyes and even then not going to sleep for several hours then any sleep is very light, mot restful or deep or refreshing. I don't drink coffee or tea in great quantities and very little alcohol or foods that would stimulate.

[greygoose in reply to Shredder]

jimh111 might not see this, because you didn't click on the reply button under his post. I've notified him for you.

[jimh111 in reply to Shredder]

Sounds a bit like you may have too much hormone. When I have too little T3 I find I can get to sleep OK but have shallow sleep and wake up a few times. When I have too much T3 I find it difficult to get to sleep, stay awake for an hour or two. With the correct level I get to sleep reasonably soon and tend to sleep well. (This is the ideal dose for the brain, it may be a little too much for the heart in some cases but we don't have a lot of choice).

You could try supplementing with magnesium if you don't already as it can help a bit with sleep.

[Shredder in reply to jimh111]

Sorry Jim can you please clarify the too much hormone too little t3 please?

[jimh111 in reply to Shredder]

Yes, my reply was too cryptic. I've edited it to make it clearer for you and anyone else who might read it.

[Nanaedake in reply to Shredder]

You could read this protocol for better sleep.

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

[Shredder in reply to Nanaedake]

Thanks for the response.

[Shredder]

OOOppps thanks.

[TSH110]

I sleep like a baby on NDT even if proportions of T4 /T3, are supposedly not ideal for a human being, my body seems able to sort that problem out!

[Shredder]

Hi thanks. I used to too on NDT but on current Naturethroid formulation felt very Under medicated that's why I had to back on Levo and liothyronine.