Latest blood results

[Slappiduck]

Hi

On 20mcg T3 and 100mcg T4.

Bloods are:

T3 5.1 (3.5-6.5)

T4 16.7 ( 10-18.7)

Doesn’t appear to be. TSH result. I’ve got consultant endo in 2 weeks. Any thoughts on results?

Also is there a link between thyroid issues and Reynard type symptoms?

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First how do you feel?

Do you take T3 as split dose? Two or three doses and approx timings

Always same brand of T3 and T4?

Have you changed to strictly gluten free diet to see if it helps yet?

If not had vitamins retested in last 6 months you need them retested

What supplements are you taking?

[Slappiduck in reply to SlowDragon]

Hello SlowDragon,

I am feeling tired, but less tired than I was. Constipation is still an issue. I have just restarted Vit D and am thinking about magnesium. I’ve not had vitamins retested in the last 6 months. I have to pay privately for those and am in the process of saving up for that. Was planning ferritin, what else do you recommend?

I take 10mcg T3 @ 6am, 10mcg T3 at 3pm and T4 at bedtime. For the last 6months they have been the same brand. No I haven’t gone gf.

Thanks for replying.

[Slappiduck in reply to Slappiduck]

I am suffering horrendously with cold hands and am pretty sure it is a Reynard type thing so will mention it to the endo.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Slappiduck]

Perhaps try splitting the second 10mcg into 2 x 5mcg at 3pm and 10pm

So 10mcg at 6am, 5mcg at 3pm and 5mcg at bedtime with your Levo

I do this. Otherwise I find it's far too long between doses. I also found by accident that taking last dose near bedtime helps with sleep. I moved last dose to 9pm the evening before blood test. (Last dose of T3 should be exactly 12 hours prior to test)

But everyone is different. It might not improve sleep for you. If you don't like taking at bedtime, suggest still try split dose with last 5mcg dose say 6pm

Magnesium supplements can help improve constipation. Taking late afternoon/early evening - minimum of four hours away from Levo. Calm vitality magnesium powder is cheap and easy to use. Start on low dose and increase slowly until you get desired effect!

Only make one change or add one supplement at time and wait at least ten to 14 days to assess, otherwise you don't know which is helping

Definitely everyone should at least try strictly gluten free diet for 3-6 months to see if it helps. If it does help stick on it, if not reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse.

Gluten free is easier than you might expect

[Slappiduck in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, unfortunately I can’t split the tablets any further. I am only allowed the 20mcg ones and halving them is fine. Quartering means I lose a fair bit due to crumbling ( already tried that ). I picked 3pm as it gives me a bit of a boost to cope with bath and bedtime , although I’m so hungry by that point I’m sure it doesn’t help. Sadly I’m sure the tiredness is partially down to having young kids who wake in the night 😢

I’ll def give the Mg powder a try, I was looking at chelated tablets but if you advise this i shall try it first.

Gluten free 😭😭😭

[Slappiduck in reply to Slappiduck]

My TSH was 0.01 (0.55-4.78)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Slappiduck]

I use a very sharp craft knife like this to cut pills

uk.farnell.com/xcelite/xn10...?

My T3 is 20mcg Morningside Healthcare, cuts well and blister packed.

Mercury Pharma tablets get a bit crumbly, especially once the pot has been opened a while. One of the many reasons I changed to Morningside.

Initially when first started on T3 I managed to cut into 1/8ths! (But they were Uni Pharma 25mcg and by far the best T3 I have tried )

[Slappiduck in reply to SlowDragon]

I have Teva T3. I shall purchase a sharp knife. I was using a pill cutter

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Slappiduck]

Are you lactose intolerant that you are on Teva brand ?

Have you recently changed to Teva T3?

Teva does not suit many, many patients

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Alternative is Morningside Healthcare or Mercury Pharma

Personally I prefer Morningside as its blister packed, much longer shelf life and I find gives higher FT3 at same dose

[Slappiduck in reply to SlowDragon]

As far as I am aware I am not lactose intolerant. Can I request a different brand?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Slappiduck]

Absolutely, Teva best avoided

Don't change the dose, just the brand and retest in 6-8 weeks

[Slappiduck in reply to SlowDragon]

I am just putting in repeat now so will ask the pharmacist to avoid Teva!

Do you have a Vit B complex you recommend?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Slappiduck]

I prefer Igennus Super B complex. It does have quite high % of B12. Full dose is two per day. I just take one per day (and was able to stop Sublingual B12). I like it as it's good quality ingredients, folate, not folic acid. Also nice small pill and doesn't turn your pee bright yellow

Other popular options

Jarrow B-right, or SeasideSusie likes Thorne - both are large capsules (can tip powder out and swallow that way)

[HughH]

T3 is the active thyroid hormone which controls almost every cell in the body. Free T3 is the best measure of how much T3 is available to the cells. Your Free T3 is 5.1 (3.5-6.5), which is in the higher part of the range and most people would feel good at this level. Some people however need their Free T3 to be even higher to feel well.

You could ask your endo for a trial on a higher dose to T3 to see if it improves your symptoms.

[Slappiduck in reply to HughH]

Thanks for the Information. I can’t imagine he will increase it but it’s worth a try

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Slappiduck]

Changing brand may well give higher levels of FT3 on exactly same dose

I certainly found that changing from Mercury Pharma to Morningside Healthcare brand.

Brands are not bio equivalent. Exactly same dose dose not give same results with different brands, which is why it's important to stick to same brand at each prescription for Levothyroxine and T3. Once you find the best brand for you

[Slappiduck in reply to SlowDragon]

I am now on Morningside so we shall

See