Hello,
I‘m about to add in T3 to my T4 because of conversion issues.
I would like to start with a quarter tablet (6,25mcg). I‘ll decrease my T4 by 25mcg first, because FT4 was top end range regardless.
Should I increase the T3 every couple of days and how should I split the dose ? If I take 6,25mcg should I only take it once daily ?
thanks
Philipp
Start with 1/4 of a tablet, wait 2 weeks, add another 1/4 tablet.
See how that goes.
If necessary you could go up to 25mcg T3 but don't go beyond that before retesting. Personally, I retested before I got to that stage, and I increased very gradually.
Depending on where your FT4 is now, and where you need it to be, you may have to do more tweaking with your Levo.
where does your FT3 sit at now at what dose ?
Philipp
Personally, my FT3 is best at 75% through range. But everyone is different. I have recently had to change my doses of Levo and T3 after FT4 and FT3 levels changed after being stable for over a year, so I can't really answer the second part of your question.
You don't have to reduce your T4 first, you can do a straight swop - 25 mcg T4 for 6.25 mcg T3.
I really don't think it's a good idea to try and split a 6.25 mcg dose, it's too small. Take it all at once with your levo. After that, see how it goes, continue to take it with your levo, and if that makes you feel good, continue that way. You're not obliged to split. But, if you feel the need, it's easier to split when the dose gets higher. However, you should always take your T3 in the same way as you take your levo - empty stomach, etc. - for maximum absorption.
Alright. After how many weeks can I test since the half life of T3 is much shorter ?
After two weeks, I should imagine.
Suggest you follow SeasideSusie advice of 1/4 tablet.....wait 2 weeks before adding further 1/4 tablet
Personally, early on I think splitting dose am and pm helps. (Though eventually once on higher dose you may find taking once a day or twice a day is ok )
Then remain on this dose of T3 and Levo for 6-8 weeks before retesting
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
Okay. Does one normally feel effects right away after the first dose when starting t3?
Personally I did within 20-30mins. Within days significant improvements
Others apparently don't to start with.
So I should go after symptom relief with dosage increase ?
Always test 6-8 weeks after any dose change
Symptoms often lag behind
6-8 weeks needed with T3 if T4 stays the same ?
Yes because adrenals and rest of endocrine system etc have to rebalance
When I come to the point where’s I want to increase the dosage, would a 6,25mcg increase which would be 100% then too much ? Because cutting the pill in a quarter is the most i can do otherwise it will break in too little pieces when trying to get 5th.
I have just started on T3 alone and I increase every eight days, however I was used to the T3 in the NDT that I had been taking before the swap. I wouldn't split 6.25 why not take it all in one go with your Levo. Increase every 10 to 14 days
Not meaning to break into your conversation but why did you stop taking NDT and decide to go on T3-alone?
Not meaning to break into your conversation but Philipp how do you feel? I know the best way to configure your own best dose is to see what others with Hypo are taking but still, you are an individual, and you must take others at what they say but still realize that just because they take a dose one way, at a certain level, doesn't mean it will work for you. Personally, comparing T4 to T3, for me, is like comparing the turtle (T4) to the rabbit (T3). When I began again (after a month of T3-only) taking T4 again, I felt a slight heart palp every now and then but that's the only sign I even take it whereas with the T3, for me, it was almost instantaneously felt, and still is. I hope you find your right dose soon because it will lighten the burden that has been placed upon you by the insidious system(s) in this world, whereby those with the knowledge (doctors) to help others too many times squander it by puffing themselves up with pride and glory, while totally losing whatever small dose of character they had and all for the money & possessions the world declares as "success" and so we are all set into a large category of patients with no credible diagnoses and we must help others because, in so doing, we help ourselves, by getting our own diagnoses'. Good luck in your journey; I am fast realizing how many of us there are and how hard it is to self-diagnose but, really, having no other choice, you will see that the "only" way is, many times, also the best way, as you learn something with such difficulty that you never forget it, a very hard way for those with hypo, whose memories are not the best to begin with. Peace be upon you, brother.
Number 1 symptom for years that didn't get better on T4 only is cold intolerance and low body temperature. Hope that will improve soon on Tiromel.
I still get ice-cold hands and feet early in the mornings and late at night and an intolerance to bright lights at night. My body temps usually are very low in the mornings also, usually about 94-96 but usually by the second or third time, 3-6 hrs later, maybe noon or 3 pm, it's up to 97.5, as high as it goes. The T3 definitely raised my temps but I still need something more just don't know exactly what yet? The thyroid controls the body's temps and metabolism so when it makes too much hormone, hyper, the temps rise and when it makes too little, hypo, it goes down, so it's all in our dose(s) which, sooner or later, hopefully before we die, we will figure out and feel "well" again, on. Peace be with you, brother.
I had been taking NDT from Thailand for 2.5 years but after receiving my new order in only eight days I landed up in A & E with a blackout falling straight backwards onto my head.
I tried one grain the next week but I had the same feelings so immediately stopped and started on T3 which I had already bought will living in France.
T4 and T3 advice
Getting back on T4/T3 combo after T3 only
Split am and pm levo + T3 - Blood test 
How is a patient’s T4 and T3 requirement calculated 
