Hi everyone, I've had a total thyroid ectomy, due to having benign tumors, some 20 odd years ago. I'm only on thyroxin 150mg, can I take

[Buttons60]

T3 supplement to help with my weight gain, energy levels, foggy head. restless sleep?

I'm 60 years old, mother passed due to having thyroid cancer over 40 years ago.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Hi Buttons60 and welcome to the forum

The only way to know if T3 is needed is to test TSH, FT4 and FT3 at the same time. This tells us whether T4 (the storage hormone) is converting to T3 (the active hormone). If conversion is low then you may benefit from T3, if they are well balanced then you don't need T3.

Also, optimal nutrient levels are essential for thyroid hormone to work properly, and low levels or deficiencies bring their own symptoms which can overlap with symptoms of hypothyroidism, so before considering T3 the following tests are also needed:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

If you post results for all of these tests, including reference ranges, and for Vit D and B12 we need the units of measurement too, then members will be happy to help.

[greygoose]

It's possible you're just under-medicated. 150 mcg is not a huge dose for someone with no thyroid. But, doctors are notoriously bad at giving the right dose.

Welcome to the forum.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Recommended on here that 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)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all 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 you add your most recent blood test results and ranges, members can advise

Very rare for NHS to test FT3, so many of us forced to test privately. Vitamins very important retest regularly and many need to supplement regularly to maintain good levels