Advice on starting T3

[Victoria1990]

Hi there,

I have managed to source some T3 but would like some advice on a starting dose. I have Tiromel 25mcg. My latest results are TSH 1.50 (0.27 - 4.20) FT4 18.00 (12.0 - 22.00) FT3 3.80 (3.1 - 6.8). I am on 125mg Levo which I take early morning. Thanks in advance

[PiggySue]

I would recommend getting Paul Robinson's book 'Recovering with T3'. It will help you to get to your optimal dose by tracking vitals. You will need to check your BP and pulse rate as well as your temperature. It is a slow process, but I wish I had known about it before I started.

[PiggySue in reply to PiggySue]

Oops! I take T3 only....!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Victoria1990

Before starting T3, you need optimal nutrient levels. Have you had them tested, if so what are they?

Optimal levels are

Vit D - 100-150nmol/L

B12 - top of range

Folate - at least half way through range

Ferritin - at least 70, recommended is half way through range.

[Victoria1990 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SeasideSusie

I take 5mg of Folic Acid and 2 x 210mg of ferrous fumarate, 1000mg of Vit C and 1000IU Vit D (Vitabiotics) daily. I haven't had the levels checked for a while but I will if you think I should.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Victoria1990]

Victoria

How long is "for a while", and if you are prescribed folic acid and ferrous fumerate then I imagine they were deficient. Ferritin is very slow to rise with iron tablets, it takes many, many months. I would get new tests so you can see your current levels. No point in wasting time and money on T3 if it's not going to work properly due to deficient nutrient levels.

[Victoria1990 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi the tests were 4 months ago folate 10.6 (2.91 - 50.00) ferritine 45 (13.00 - 150)

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Victoria1990]

Victoria

So you need to get folate up to at least half way - 26.5 with that range, and ferritin up to 70-75. I'm actually very surprised you had anything prescribed for either of those levels, they're within range so normally no prescription will be issued. You can help raise ferritin by eating liver regularly.

Each iron tablet should be taken with 1000mg Vit C to help absorption.

D3 requires magnesium and Vit K2-MK7 as cofactors.

What was your Vit D level? 1,000iu D3 is only a maintenance dose, it's unlikely to raise a low level.

[Victoria1990 in reply to SeasideSusie]

When my PA was diagnosed nearly 2 years ago my folate was 5.82 (8.83 - 60.8) and ferritin was 22.00 (20 - 150) but my magnesium was high 1.03 (0.6 - 1.0) so I have been on and off the folic acid and ferrous fumarate since them as I don't absorb very well. I can't find the blood test that included Vit D but that has not been checked for a year, my GP told me just to carry on taking it.

[vooxxy]

Also recommend getting your cortisol checked if not done so. T3 wont work optimally without the right amounts of cortisol.

[Victoria1990 in reply to vooxxy]

Hi vooxxy

I had and early morning blood test for cortisol about 6 months ago from my GP and everything was ok at that time.

[hobbycat]

Hi. I too had 3.8 for FT3 and was on 125mcg levo. My NHS had me reduce to 100mcg and had me take 20mcg. I took the guidance for the fab community here about working T3 in very slowly. 5mcg increments at a time. I can’t remember the sequence but two or three weeks in I felt very overmedicated as I think the T4 reduction did not exit my system that quickly. Take slow whatever you do. And away from food, as I’ve learnt now.