Would it make sense to swap some t4 for more t3 ?

[Clara9]

Would it make sense to swap some t4 for more t3 to hope to feel better ?

Am taking 100+15 now

Ft3 5.6 (3.6-6.3)

Ft4 16 (12-22)

[greygoose]

Not really, no. You must be converting some of that T4 to make T3 or your FT3 would be lower. I don't think the T3 taken exogenously is superior to internally converted T3 from synthetic T4. But, in my opinion, anything's worth a try. You just never know!

Or, you could just increase your dose of T3 a tad. Probably no reason to reduce the levo any further. But, there again, you just never know. It's all trial and error.

[Clara9 in reply to greygoose]

I have tried increasing t3 to 20 but after a week I start to feel jittery so lowered back down.

Still don't feel as well as I have some weeks after an increase so don't think this is my optimal.

[greygoose in reply to Clara9]

Fair enough. So, how do you think that swopping some T4 for an increase in T3 is going to work?

[Clara9 in reply to greygoose]

I don't really know. I just thought that some people feel best on ndt and that has a higher ratio of t3.

[greygoose in reply to Clara9]

Yes, but there again, it doesn't suit everyone. You have to keep trying things until you find what suits you. But, there really isn't any logic in hypothyroidism.

[Clara9 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks

[jgelliss in reply to greygoose]

greygoose

WELL SAID . There really isn't any logic in hypothyroidism . Trial and ERROR . Everyone absorbs and converts their T4 so differently . Some can get away with really low thyroid meds T4 and T3 and feel Great while some of us need significantly more to feel our best . Truthfully It was a hard lesson I had to learn too to sort out for myself . I found that journaling my symptoms with each thyroid med changes helps me get to my sweet spot .

[greygoose in reply to jgelliss]

That's it exactly.

[jgelliss in reply to greygoose]

I Only Learn From The Very BEST . THANK YOU SO MUCH ….

[greygoose in reply to jgelliss]

You're welcome.

[KT77 in reply to greygoose]

No logic whatsoever indeed : ) I have been at this thyroid game for 10 months now and still going back and forth. My body just loves to play ''guess what my optimal dose is'' game. And what type of thyroid medication I want. And what ratio of t4 and t3 : ) Options are endless....

[Clara9 in reply to greygoose]

One more reason for trying to lower levo and increase t3 is that when I changed from 112.5 + 12.5 to 100+18.75 I felt so much better. I guess I'm hoping for that to happen again. How do I swap? Straight from 100+15 to 87+20 or do I lower levo first and then increase t3?

[greygoose in reply to Clara9]

You can lower your levo and increase your T3 at the same time, straight swop.

[Clara9 in reply to greygoose]

How do I best take t3 shall I split or take in one dose? When taking 15 I've taken it all in the morning.

[greygoose in reply to Clara9]

That's a very individual thing. I always take all mine in one go, but some people find they feel better if they split it. You'll have to experiment to find what is best for you. But, T3 should always be taken on an empty stomach, away from food, medications and supplements, just like levo.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Clara9]

Clara9

If you didn't get on with increasing your T3 from 15 to 20mcg, why not try an increase in your Levo to bring your FT4 up a bit and any natural conversion you do have will also increase your FT3 a bit.

I take Levo plus T3 and I need both FT4 and FT3 around 75% through their ranges. As Greygoose says, it's trial and error, tweak the doses until you find where you feel best.

[Clara9 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks