T3

[2122anne]

Hi everyone I am a year post thyroidectomy due to papillary cancer I have my check up with my endo consultant this week I am on 150 levo Mon to Saturday and 200 on Sundays my struggle is with whole body aches and weight gain I have gone up 2 dress sizes I have read on here about t3 so I ordered it have been taking for a week now no results as yet am I doing the right thing

[shaws Administrator]

Are you adding T3 to your T4? Are you taking T3 alone - if so what dose?

Did you lower your dose of levo whilst adding a dose (?) of T3?

Several researchers have shown that a T4/T3 can be beneficial.

[2122anne in reply to shaws]

Honestly I don't have a clue what I'm doing I am hoping just to loose weight I'm still taking my subscribed dose of levo

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

2122anne

T3 isn't for weight loss. It's added to Levo when T4 to T3 conversion is poor and we can't produce enough T3 naturally or from our Levo. T3 is the active hormone that every cell in our bodies need.

It's absolutely essential to test TSH, FT4 and FT3 before adding T3. We only take it if our conversion is poor and Levo alone doesn't make us well. Taking T3 when we don't need it will elevate our FT3 levels and eventually lead to health problems. When we add T3, it's usual to reduce our dose of Levo.

I think the best thing you can do is post your results prior to starting T3 - TSH, FT4 and FT3 - along with their reference ranges.

You should also test now that you're taking T3. If your GP can't do all the tests, then I would advise doing what hundreds of us here do, and that's private testing with Medichecks or Blue Horizon.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ideally should get full Thyroid and vitamin testing BEFORE starting any T3

Can you add most recent results and ranges for TSH, FT3 and FT4, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels need to be optimal for T3 or Levothyroxine to work and extremely common that they are too low

How much T3 are you taking? Typically we start EXTREMELY slowly. Just 5mcg on waking and 5mcg mid afternoon. Hold at that dose for 6 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 exactly 12 hours prior to test

When taking T3 you must test TSH, FT4 and FT3 regularly and also very important to retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12, especially if supplementing

So will almost certainly need to do this privately

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

[shaws Administrator]

As stated T3 isn't for weight loss. T4 (levothyroxine) is converted to T3 and T3 is the only Active thyroid hormone. T4 is inactive.

Unfortunately levo can cause weight gain when on an insufficient dose. Is your TSH 1 or lower and Free T4 and Free T3 in the upper part of the ranges? If not you need an increase.

I have read that those who've had thyroid cancer have to have a suppressed TSH. Yours may not be.

All blood tests have to be at the earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take afterwards.

This helps keep the TSH at its highest as doctors are apt just to look at the TSH and if it is somewhere within the range think we're on sufficient.

restartmed.com/levothyroxin...

Do you take levothyroxine on an empty stomach with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating? If not this is the best way to help conversion. Coffee also interferes with the uptake of levo so leave a good gap between dose and coffee.

[2122anne]

Thank you for replying it is so confusing and hard to understand I had my 6 month appointment today got my bloods done doctor just said watch my diet and exercise I take my meds 1st thing in morning and don't have anything for at least an hour after

[Hidden in reply to 2122anne]

You need to post your lab numbers with ranges and people here can advise you on what and what not to do.

[EbonyEvans]

Which brand of T3 are you taking? How much did you start on? Please add your test results with ranges. So we can help you further.

[2122anne in reply to EbonyEvans]

I am not taking T3 just levothyroxine