Over replaced on T3 -how to proceed?: Hi all... - Thyroid UK

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Over replaced on T3 -how to proceed?

tracyd59 profile image
13 Replies

Hi all, hoping for some input on y situation.

At the beginning of Oct this year I developed pulsatile Tinnitus. I’ve read that this can perhaps be a result of hyperthyroidism. On 15th Nov I had a blood test. Thyroid results below. I’m over replaced on t3 and my TSH is almost non-existent.

I want to reduce the t3 (25mcg daily) and I’d like your thoughts on how to best do this. I’m also on 100mcg t4 daily.

It may not make any difference to the Pulsatile Tinnitus but it seems coincidental that my t3 is off the range and I suddenly developed the PT. Thanks in advance!

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13 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

Hypothyroidism can also cause tinnitus. So can an awful lot of other things. I very much doubt if your FT3 being so slightly over-range has anything to do with it. And certainly your TSH level hasn't.

How do you feel apart from the tinnitus? If you feel well, personally, I would be inclined to leave your dose as it is. But, if you really want to try lowering it, just decrease by a quarter pill - 6.25 mcg - tomorrow.

tracyd59 profile image
tracyd59 in reply to greygoose

Hi Greygoose

Well, I'm getting heart palpitations at night now and then which wake me up. I struggle as it is with insomnia, so that's not helping. And as the saying goes "Pulsatile Tinnitus is not Tinnitus"; it's frequently a symptom of an underlying issue. So that's what caused me to make the connection between the onset of PT and now this test result showing that I'm over-replaced on the t3. But yes, I think I'll reduce by 6.25mcg and stay on that new dosage for 6 weeks and see what happens. Thanks for your help.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to tracyd59

Sounds like a good idea. :)

Aurealis profile image
Aurealis

Did you take any T3 on the day of the test? Do you take it all in one dose or in divided doses?

tracyd59 profile image
tracyd59 in reply to Aurealis

Hi Aurealis

I didn’t take any t3 or t4 until I got back home after the test. I left 24 hrs between doses and the blood test. I take t3 (25 mcg) and t4 (100mcg) on waking, in one dose.

Naomi8 profile image
Naomi8

Pulsatile tinnitus is difficult to manage.I find it is really pronounced if I take too much T3.This anecdotal observation was on T3-only,but also,NDT.

BUT!I also had it really loud before I added T3!After 16 years on T4 only.So for me it is a balancing act & one of the ways I can tell if I'm on the right dose.Another sign is whether or not I find a lot of grey hair on black clothing.

I have read that being anaemic can affect both,too.As I am not a regular meat eater,I regularly supplement with iron bisglycinate.

If I get really stressed,it gets very loud.I am convinced this is an adrenal issue,as my eyes also go blurry.

tracyd59 profile image
tracyd59 in reply to Naomi8

Hi Naomi8,

I don't know what to make of it really. I also have another autoimmune disorder called Sjogren's Syndrome and maybe this pulsatile tinnitus is related to that, and this is just a new symptom, which may go away in time. But I've read that PT rarely disappears on its own :(

Ho hum - I'm going to try to habituate to the high pitched pulsing sound (it's relentless as you know. And for me, more noticeable at night when I'm trying to get off to sleep) but at least I've no other symptoms of dizziness or nausea, so I'm lucky in that regard. I'll cut down on the t3 for 6 weeks and see what, if any difference it makes. Have you had tests like MRI scans etc investigating the possible cause of your PT?

Naomi8 profile image
Naomi8 in reply to tracyd59

I have always understood from this forum that its very common with an under active thyroid.It doesn't really intrude except when I am really stressed.I am a bit of a radio 4 addict & even use a tiny radio at night to drift off to,otherwise I tend to lie there & think,so that masks it a lot.

I'm taking 2 grains of NDT at present & its not too bas at the moment.

I have got an appointment at neurology next month & hope they suggest an MRI scan because if they want to CCT my head I'm going to walk.My GP is convinced that the pain in my head when I get a sinus infection can't be my sinuses.I know its referred pain.It is excruciating,but doing a head a steam stops it almost instantly.

Just read that certain genetic profiles lead to congestion in the sinus cavities as thick as peanut butter,hence the need for antibiotics.That's me.

Bertwills profile image
Bertwills

Have a look at using Gingko for help with tinnitus. Lots of info on Google.

It’s reduced mine. Good luck

tracyd59 profile image
tracyd59 in reply to Bertwills

Thanks Bertwills. How much Gingko do you take and how long before it started making a difference?

Greybeard profile image
Greybeard

Hi Tracy, you need to split your dose of t3 prior to testing. 24 hrs is ok for t4 but t3 needs to be 8 to 12 hours prior to testing. You are likely to be more over medicated than your reading indicate.

tracyd59 profile image
tracyd59

Thanks Greybeard63. I'll be sure to do that next time :)

LAHs profile image
LAHs

Just a couple of points. Are you measuring your blood pressure (BP) along with your T3 meds? A clear indicator of overmedicating with T3 with many people is a spike in BP. Also are you correlating your tinnitus with the time lapsed from taking your T3? T3 is very high (probably way over max) within a couple of hours of taking it, it then levels off during the day until it hits its minimum after about 8 hours. That's three things to measure (lapsed time, BP and level of tinnitus) and draw conclusions from. I personally get tinnitus when my BP goes high, it is therefore present first thing in the morning when my T3 is at a maximum. It is not present in the afternoon when my bp has dropped due to low T3 - BUT!!! you must not go too low in BP because that causes a number of other phenomena which can confuse the issue.

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