Liothyronine medication

[Profdriver]

My doctor has not prescribed me liothyronine but I bought it online to get a boost of thyroid and this is to lose weight.

I know exercise and diet is the answer but my t3 and t4 levels are normal.

Will I have problems taking t3 liothyronine?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Profdriver

It's not a weight loss drug, it's thyroid hormone replacement for people who can't produce enough themselves.

Have you been diagnosed hypothyroid? Are you on Levothyroxine?

If your FT4 and FT3 levels are normal you will unbalance them by taking T3. Taking T3 when you don't need it will raise your FT3 level and you will possibly get symptoms such as racing heart, anxiety, sweating, and goodness knows what else. It might even cause heart problems.

[helvella Administrator in reply to SeasideSusie]

It's not a weight loss drug, it's thyroid hormone replacement for people who can't produce enough themselves.

Absolutely right.

[Olivua in reply to SeasideSusie]

Why are u doing such a dangerous thing. . . . . Be very very careful. U will more than likely end up a nervous reck. . And as soon as u stop the weight will pile onn again. Or even double what u have lost. . U are very silly to be dabbling with thyroid meds when u clearly don't need them. . . Heart and kidneys will suffer. . . . Would it not be better to go our for a walk every day and enjoy the beautiful autumn weather. . . Instead of taking meds that will wire you. Make u anxious. . Sleepless. And not hungty. . BUT. U will be thin!!!! Think seriously about what u are doing. . . Some weight ón u but generally happy. . Or thin. Nervous. And either underexercised as adrenals going mad u haven't the concentration to walk. Or house bound because of anxiety. . .i know a girl who did this and she had a complete nervous breakdown. And was left with heart trouble and low kidney function. . Because the kidneys were on overdrive from the meds for so long. . . Xoxo. . Don't do it. . Xoxo

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Some people also gain weight on T3

If you don't need it, don't take it

[Profdriver in reply to SlowDragon]

It says in the packaging that it can cause weight loss and that is a side effect

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Profdriver]

Everyone reacts different to medication. Weight gain can be the result

Plus it will mess up your own thyroid production, possibly shutting it down permanently or could mess up your adrenal system too. Or cause palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, diarrhoea or fine tremor

It's for people who's thyroid doesn't work.

Not a weight loss aid for someone with a normal thyroid function

[helvella Administrator in reply to Profdriver]

One make of liothyronine says of side effects:

General: - increased sweating, breathing difficulties, extreme weakness, excessive weight loss, weight gain, temporary hair loss, cold skin, extreme fatigue, leg cramps, trembling of hands, heat sensitivity, weak pulse, increased blood sugar level.

Just because not all patient information identifies weight gain as a possibility doesn't mean it can't happen.

[diogenes Remembering]

I would be very cautious about taking T3 for weight loss. I know of one instance at least where the person (female) died of a heart attack (and not old) taking T3 to lose weight. It cannot be a safe option to boost your body's activity above what is normal for it. Any sign of palpitations; stop immediately. Someone with any kind of silent heart defect is really at risk.

[Profdriver]

Thank you diogenes. Best answer ive had. No palpitations. Ive been taking very mild doses. Maximum 35mcg per day and not had any reactions.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Profdriver]

Diogenes wont see your reply as you haven't responded directly to his message, you do that by clicking on the blue REPLY directly under the member's message rather than the LEAVE A COMMENT BOX.

I will alert diogenes so that he will see your reply and he may wish to respond.

[diogenes Remembering in reply to Profdriver]

The basic worry is that losing weight by taking T3 is not a short term process. That means your body is over-stressed for quite some time if you are to obtain the loss you want. It's the insidious long-term effects that I would caution about, effects that might be difficult to reverse on stopping the T3. Your pituitary will certainly be suppressed, and this could affect thyroid production of hormones; indeed it could be that the T3 taken is counteracted rather by lower production by the body. It is not a straightforward situation.

[DippyDame in reply to Profdriver]

I'm not sure I would call 35mcg a "very mild dose". T3 is a very potent thyroid replacement hormone not a weight loss drug. If you must lose weight then I would suggest that there are safer ways of doing so.

If you are expecting T3 to be a quick-fix solution to a weight problem then please think carefully about the potentially life-threatening consequences and ask yourself....is it really worth the risk?

[Naomi8 in reply to Profdriver]

35mcgs is not a mild dose,even if you are hypothyroid.Are you taking thyroxine too?Have you been diagnosed hypothyroid?

[Profdriver in reply to Naomi8]

Hi there. Yes im underactive and taking thyroxine too.

From research it says t3 is faster acting than levothyroxine

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Profdriver]

Profdriver

Why don't you post your latest test results, you say they're normal but let's see the figures - results and reference ranges for TSH, FT4 and FT3 and say what dose of Levo and T3 you were taking when the test was done.

T3 is the active hormone that every cell in our bodies need (Levo/T4 is a pro-hormone of which some converts to T3). T3 has a shorter half life than T4. It's said that T3 has a half life of 24 hours (although the stated biological half-life is 2.5 days) whereas Levo has a half life of about 7 days. Some people feel the effects of taking T3 very quickly, others don't.

[Profdriver in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi there. My test result figures are unknown as my doctor said they are normal.

This is the 1st time I have bought liothyronine online and was never prescribed by the doctor.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Profdriver]

Profdriver

We should never accept "normal" as a result, that just means that it is somewhere within the range. That doesn't mean that the result is optimal or the best place for us as an individual.

In the UK we are legally entitled to our test results and we always advise members to ask for a print out so that they can see for themselves. You could pop along to your surgery and ask at reception for a print out.

You may simply have needed an increase in your dose of Levo to "boost your thyroid and lose weight". If you are undermedicated on Levo then you will get typical hypothyroid symptoms, weight gain or inability to lose weight being one of them.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Profdriver]

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need enhanced access to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can no longer charge for printing out, rules changed after May 25th 2018

The majority of thyroid patients only need 15mcg to 20mcg of T3, and this is introduced extremely slowly, usually only 5mcg at a time and retesting bloods 6-8 weeks after only increasing to 10mcg

So 35mcg is definitely not a small dose. Suggest you get full private testing 6-8 weeks after being on constant dose

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common

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, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If also on T3, make sure to take last dose 12 hours prior to test

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

The other issue is that when GP retests your bloods they will likely want to reduce your Levothyroxine, because on T3 our TSH is almost always suppressed

[Babette]

Please be very careful! I'm on T3 only and being monitored by a hospital. One endo thought he could improve my blood results and said to increase my dose from 20 mcg to 40 mcg a day. The weight loss was great but over a couple of months the anxiety started and I ended up in tears in the middle of the office, unable to cope with any stress at all. At my next hospital appointment his colleague told me to drop the dose down immediately as I was at risk of a heart attack. I believe the thyrotoxicosis damaged my body, although can't get any doctor to admit it, and wish I'd not changed my dose.

My priority isn't my weight anymore - it's managing to get out of bed, being able to work (although some days it doesn't feel like it!), managing to spend time with friends, and generally having some quality of life. I also take a concoction of vitamins and minerals, rest, and pay the price if I've not kept to a clean diet. My size 10 clothes won't be any use to my if I'm 10 ft under.

[Profdriver in reply to Babette]

Hi and thanks for the reply.

How come that medication got you into anxiety mode? What were you crying about?

Are you sure it was medication that got you into anxiety mode or was there not something else in your life thats making you stressed?

[Babette in reply to Profdriver]

Anxiety is one of the symptoms of being overmedicated. I would cry about the slightest things - things I would normally be able to cope with and not give a second thought to.

Yes - I'm sure. Blood tests backed up being overmedicated. When I dropped back down to the previous dose, everything was fine. I put on weight but felt better. There was nothing else in my life making me any more stressed than usual.

It sounds as though you're in denial about trying liothyronine to lose weight, and I'm not the only person on here warning you about it. It's up to you whether you choose to listen.

[Profdriver in reply to Babette]

Hi again. I'm just asking. That's very nice of you to give me such a useful advice and I well and truly appreciate it.

Thank you and I will stop as soon as I see any of those symptoms you mentioned.

[just-typing]

Please be aware of who you buy your medication from. It is better to see your doctor and get their advice. We ALL need to do this. Please be careful.