I’m on 75 Mcg t4 and three quarters a 25 of t3 ie 18 ish. Last labs
Tsh 0.02
T4 15 (range 12 - 22)
T3 4.4 (range 3 - 6.5) I had not dosed for 24 hrs
I think I need to take 100 T4 as I suspect I feel better with T4 higher. Then what would I reduce t3 to??
My reasons are that I was 20 years on T4 and felt fine. Then felt unwell and saw a fairly unhelpful consultant. He said source your own t3 and left me to it. I did.
Six months in I discovered I was low D. 49. Range 50 - 200. I have since got my bit D up to 76 and aiming for 100 plus.
So I am a bit constipated and suffering insomnia. I am thinking that maybe, had I just worked on the D I could have stayed on T4. The only other info I have is that T3 was bottom of range on 125 T4. T4 was top of range and sometimes slightly over. Hence my thought of 100 T4 with a little T3.
Any help much appreciated.
Thank you. This forum is simply brilliant.
Jacqui
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Sorry, your post is a little difficult to understand, but why would you want to reduce your T3 dose? If that's what you're actually saying. Your FT3 isn't even mid-range. I would think you need an increase in dose.
However, you did leave too long between your last dose of T3 and the blood draw. It should be 8 to 12 hours, not 24 hours. So, you have a false low result, there. You could add on 20% to get an estimation of your true level. But that would only take you up to about 5.
I suppose it all depends on how you feel. If you feel well on this dose, then stay on it. But, if you still feel hypo, then go up to the full 25 mcg T3.
Hi. Thanks for the reply. I was concerned that my T4 was low. I was thinking that increasing the T4 to 100 would help push T4 and T3 into range. I suppose I am asking the question as I am suffering with insomnia and was thinking am I on too much T3?
Only change one thing at a time. Yes I would agree you might need slightly higher FT4
Endo's often reduce Levo when T3 is started, but many of us find we actually need it back at previous levels
Last dose of T3 should be exactly 12,hours prior to blood test, so your result is slightly misleading. But you don't need T3 lowered (at this stage) unless you feel over medicated
As you are supplementing vitamin D, you may also need magnesium
Magnesium supplements can help improve constipation too. Calm vitality magnesium powder is cheap and easy to use. Starting with low dose and increase slowly until you get desired results. Must be taken 4 hours away from Levo or T3
Vitamin D is still a bit too low. Aiming to improve to at least 80nmol and around 100nmol may be better . Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function.
It's trial and error what dose each person needs. Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.
If you increase Levo dose back to 100mcg then get tested 6-8 weeks later
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
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.
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
Hello and thank your for writing such a detailed reply.
I had a medichecks which is where I initially picked up low vit D. I have been supplementing with better you. I also spray magnesium on my body and that test came back food. B12 was well in range. The only other anomaly was transferritin saturation. It was low - just out of range. I have been taking iron since, but have not yet retested.
I read something on tired thyroid which talked about a ratio of 10:1 T4 t3. It made sense to me. I know initially my Gp wanted me on 100 T4 full stop. As I said, I had been on 125 T4. I insisted on a consultant and he said 75 plus three quarters t3. I have gained weight and am cold and constipated. I felt better on 125 T4, but my T4 was out of the top of the range and T3 low. I initially felt better with T3 but then got insomnia. The article is compelling that T4 is more than a storage hormone. Though I realise it’s always possible to find what one is looking for.
I do take a quarter before bed. I am minded to carry on with this. Go back to 100 T4. Then increase the quarter if I feel I need to.
Can I check pls - when I test in 6 weeks, do I take the T3 12 hours before and then take the result as a fairly accurate measure of T3? I will get the medichecks also.
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