I was on T3 only for 3 months until 8. weeks ago when I crashed adrenals wise (unable to get passed 15mcgs because of adrenaline rushes) and switched to T4, 100mgs daily which I was on for 5 weeks. I've been on Compounded pigs thyroid for 3 weeks now. I take a 90mg at one a day. The pharmacist told me that 1 capsule contains approx T4 52mgs and T3 12.5mcgs. Which I believe is roughly a total of 100mg of T4 which I was on previously. I have some new bloods done 20/9/18 (1 week ago). My symptoms are brain fog, shakes, muscle weakness, tremor, anxiety, breathlessness, low tolerance to exercise and skipped beats (beats just started yesterday). I am also on LDN. I also previously posted my saliva tests results here healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
TSH 1.3 (0.3-4.0) this is too high for me, I'm good around .05 ish
T4 9.9 (9.0-19.0)
T3 4.9 (2.6-6.0)
I am beyond confused now, moving into depression from the futility I am feeling, and would appreciate any advice. Thanks. PS. forgot to mention I have no thyroid.
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Sally56
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Do you take NDT with just water at least an hour away from food or supplements? I would say its time to increase by a quarter when on 60 tablets em, brain trying to work lol... You are taking equivalent to 1 1/2 NDT. (60mg not 60 tablets) and I always increase by 1/4, 15mg but 1/4 of your 90 is still small increase. I get all the symptoms you describe when under medicated... And when very over medicated... Confusing sigh. I would certainly try an increase, see how you feel then increase by another quarter after two weeks then hold and retest after six weeks.
Thanks for replying. Yes, I wake religiously at 4.30 and take it then and fall back to sleep till 7ish. I have a bit of a problem increasing because it's compounded in a capsule, prescription from my Endo. I take one capsule and it's 90mg. It's powder. Should I open it and sort a 1/4? I hadn't thought about how hard this is going to be to increase. Because it's got T3 in it, I can't just take a double dose a few days a week, like I used to on Levo.
It is confusing. (ditto sigh) I thought I was over medicated but it is similar to when I was on T3 only, I had what I thought were over medicated symptoms but it turned out to be adrenals. I had awful adrenaline rushes for a few months. I am still getting over that I think.
I will open a capsule and see if it's possible to increase.
Good luck... It's never easy is it 😕 I had to support my adrenals in order to increase dose, holy basil worked for me. I couldn't take t3 or t4, synthetics just cause my blood pressure to sky rocket up.
DItto on all accounts! I couldn't take T4 or T3. T4 just left me in a fog and T3 effected my adrenals and high BP . I have Holy Basil as well but haven't taken it. My cortisol is low in the morning and high to normal in the other windows. I'm very confused about how to support my adrenals.
The advice given, which I followed was to take holy basil one hour before the high, or low, cortisol reading. Mine was low first thing then waaaay to high the next one then back to lows. I was told it would help even out the highs and lows. Still take it now during stressful times. Worked for me but we're all different. If I remember correctly it took nearly two weeks before I felt the benefit from taking holy basil... I think? Could have been less 🤯 brain fog 'sigh' nothing helps that for me 😞
Oh this brain fog sucks! I feel quite embarrassed at times. I forget what I'm talking about and forget words and names. It lifted on T3 but then m y adrenals crashed. I shall try the Holy Basil. Actually that adrenal pattern is similar to mine. The second one (12) was almost high then normal. Damn it I'm going to try it.
I bought some empty capsules today and opened a capsule and divided it up into four so approx a quarter increase. I took it this afternoon and I feel a bit better, I guess that's the T3. If I find something to lift the fog I'll let you know!
On t3 only as I said blood pressure shot up and up but when I first tried to increase from 25, only 1/4 more but Oh my, two days No Fog it was amazing! I spent most of the time reading all the articles I have saved... And understanding them... But had to drop down as systolic hit 200 😬 and pea souper rolled back in. ((hugs)) and good luck. If you ever discover a way to keep the fog away you would be very very Rich 😀
Yes the fog is crap. Someone has recommended PS100 (Phosphatidylserine). So I have some but I think it helps with high cortisol too so I am only taking it after 12. Google it and see what you think. Salx
I did increase to 120mcgs and became over-medicated. I'm now on 110mcgs but I break it up into 3 capsules taken at 6am, 9am, 12am, I have been supporting my adrenals with selenium, VitB, B12, and zinc. I have an adrenal cocktail daily. I still feel over-medicated (skipped a whole nights sleep)and for the past 2 days have not taken the 12am dose. I still have weakness and fog, but am just getting on with life now. Just rolling with the punches. I just did another adrenal saliva test and am waiting for the results. Thank you for asking.
I looked up your thread. You're in the U.S. and taking NDT. I know nothing about them but am told they are the same as compounded. You know you can get private tests done? Especially if your are not happy with your Doctors testing. There is a page in here with resources on it, such as Good Doctors, Endos etc. but also names of private pathologists.
It's scary going into this world of thyroid, with it's own language and variables. (Especially if you have brain fog!) I fight the constant thought that I will never get well, that there must be something about me that makes me different etc. But no! You and I and everyone on this forum are human beings and if we go through a specific problem then others have or are going through it too. The key is to be your own advocate, learn everything you need for your specific situation and walk the walk here. Getting a cooperative Endo is a bonus but not necessary to get well. I luckily have one, but he now listens to me because of what I learn on this forum. You'll get to this point too, where results are just part of the toolkit in your journey to wellness.
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i'll do bloodwork next week to see what is going on.
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