T3 increase?

[HashiFedUp]

I’ve been taking T3 prescribed by my endocrinologist for several months. After feeling terrible to start with, I started small on 5, worked up to 10. Felt amazing for the first time in years and kept my dose at 10. But... after several months of feeling like a new woman on T3 (with T4 at 75) my Hastimotos symptoms have returned! Help. Should I perhaps increase my T3 dose a tiny bit again??

[greygoose]

Yes.

[HashiFedUp in reply to greygoose]

Last time it made me feel awful to start with so am reluctant to increase T3 ... but I think I’m going to have to bite that bullet!

[greygoose in reply to HashiFedUp]

If you want to eventually feel better, yes. Perhaps it won't make you feel bad, this time, as your FT3 level is rising. But, the return of symptoms, like that, after feeling good, does mean that you need an increase.

[HashiFedUp in reply to greygoose]

I’ve just chipped off a little extra T3 with my scissors and it’s gone down! It’s not very scientific with small tablets and scissors but got to try. Thanks x

[greygoose in reply to HashiFedUp]

You're welcome. Good luck!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you haven't had blood test, suggest you do so BEFORE changing anything

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

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

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose 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)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test

Is this how you do your tests?

Have you got results to add here?

You may need to increase Levothyroxine rather than T3, especially if Levothyroxine was reduced when T3 was added

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

[HashiFedUp in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m going to contact my endocrinologist and request an appointment to discuss next steps. He’ll want bloods I’m sure and endos normally ask for the whole lot in my experience.

I’ve never had advice about blood tests and timings so will bear this in mind when next I have a blood test. Thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to HashiFedUp]

Many on here find most endocrinologists rarely test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

These all need to be OPTIMAL for good thyroid function

Vitamin D at least around 80nmol and often around 100nmol may be better

B12 and folate towards top of range (frequently need supplementing especially if supplementing vitamin D )

Ferritin at least half way in range

[HashiFedUp in reply to SlowDragon]

My doctor did the lot last year thankfully and they were all really good. My doc said that my results were one of the best she’s seen nowadays with everyone’s unhealthy lifestyle. I eat very healthy - a bit of a health freak. GF, low alcohol, no caffeine, cook everyday etc. No junk food. If only it made me feel better after all that! : (

[Hidden]

May I ask if your make of T3 or T4 been changed at any time, or/and have you been prescribed any other prescription drugs within the time frame your problems began?

[HashiFedUp in reply to Hidden]

Drug brands the same I think.

[Murphysmum]

Hi HashiFedUp I’m sorry I can’t be of any help but I’m watching your progress with interest!

I just started on T3 yesterday and I have to say, didn’t feel great at all last night.

Can I ask in what way did you feel worse? I cheered to hear you then felt better... I’m hanging on for that time 🙏🏻

[HashiFedUp]

I started on 10 T3 and felt horrible really awful. So cut down to 5 and took about 4 weeks to build up to 10 gradually - by cutting up my tablets into very small pieces! I had three months of almost perfect health hardly any Hastimotos symptoms! I thought great, we’ve cracked it, BUT I’ve just had a month where all the Hastimotos symptoms have returned and I’m quite down about it. So have booked blood tests and booked to see my Endo end of March. Am experimenting with slightly more T3 to see if it helps. I’m a working mum so just have to carry on each day. It’s a nightmare but will plug away trying to find something that works! X

[Hidden]

Hi if you have Hashimotos do you keep away from the triggers for the autoimmune flares? T3 is out of the system quite quickly so don’t worry if you take too much. As everyone suggests start slowly and I kept a diary of how I felt and key signs when I first went on T3 Good Luck