T3

[saltcoats]

I have been on t4 thyroxine for the best part of 13 years...I believe that it’s just no doing its job so I woul like to try t3. Today I am in Tenerife and they will sell me T3....get this 100 tablets for 25.00€ I have a referral in to see an endo but don’t have my appointment yet......what strength should I get to start with....

[greygoose]

Do you know if you're converting your levo? Or if you're even taking the right amount? Do you have any lab results you can post? No-one can advise you without them.

Have you even had your FT3 tested? You should not start taking T3 without seeing that. You don't want to take it if you don't need it, it would make you worse.

Most T3 comes in tablets of 25 mcg - occasionally 20 - but that doesn't mean you take a whole tablet. T3 is a hormone, and all hormones should be started low and increased slowly. So, if you find you actually need T3, you should start on a 1/4 tablet. But, do check your lab results first!

[saltcoats in reply to greygoose]

Hello thanks for reply, I’m not home right now but from memory, ths is below 1 and t4 is low 20’s. Vitamins at max.....I still have all the classic symptoms so that is why I’d like to try t3....I have been referred to an endo but don’t have the appointment yet, thought since I’m here in Tenerife would get some And like I said only 25.00 ....could get some and wait for endo appointment what ya think

[greygoose in reply to saltcoats]

Yes, it's a bargain, but not much use if it's not a sustainable supply. Are you going to be able to nip off to Tenerife every time you run out?

[saltcoats in reply to greygoose]

Free T4 14.9.....Ref Range is 11.0 - 26.0

TSH 2.03............Ref Range is 0.35 - 4.50

Free T3 4.0........Ref Range is 3.0 - 6.8

These are from 2 years ago

[greygoose in reply to saltcoats]

Well, that's not much use. A lot can change in two years. But, two years ago, you were very under-medicated, so not surprising levo didn't do anything for you. Have you had the dose increased since then?

[saltcoats in reply to greygoose]

Yes doc put it up to 150mcr but I guess you just can’t keep increasing I have been on the increased amount for over a year now....jus don’t think it’s working as well as it did

[greygoose in reply to saltcoats]

That's terrible! You should have been retested six weeks after starting the increased dose. And, you can keep increasing for as long as it takes. There's no upper limit to how much you can take if your labs say you need it.

It's perfectly normal that it's not working as well now as it did. you probably need another increase. You should go back to your doctor as soon as possible and demand another retest. He's being negligent!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to saltcoats]

Before considering starting T3 is absolutely essential to do FULL testing

Your GP should have tested 6-8 weeks after last increase

Why would you think 150mcg is "enough"....?

Many people need higher dose than this

When you get home politely INSIST on full Thyroid and vitamin testing

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies 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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

If you have Hashimoto's, then many people need to be STRICTLY GLUTEN FREE, especially before trying T3

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[saltcoats in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you will go over everything when I get home

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to saltcoats]

Don’t start T3 without testing first

More importantly once or if you start on T3 you need an ongoing affordable supply

Getting diagnosed by endocrinologist and prescribed via official channels is the best option

But you would have to be persistent as fight for it

Testing is first step

TSH should be under 1.5