3 months on T3 felt amazing but now back to symptoms!

[HashiFedUp]

Help. Been talking 20 T3 daily for five months. The first 3 months were, once I got over the initial side effects, amazing. I got my life back. But then felt my symptoms return. I can’t believe it. After feeling like We’d finally cracked, my symptoms have returned. Anyone else had this? My Endo just strugged and said he didn’t have a clue why this happened. (Cheers thanks then). Anyone know any good private Endos in the Bristol/bath areas?

[shaws Administrator]

When symptoms return you should add 1/4 tablet every two weeks. Sometimes symptoms do return. Read 'safely getting well' on the following link which may be helpful for you. You should also be aware of when symptom is relieved. 20mcg of T3 is approx 60 mcg of levothyroxine so isn't a large dose.

Dr Lowe only took one initital blood test and then his patients took either NDT or T3 alone (if they were thyroid hormone resistant). He himself took 150mcg of T3 once daily - in the middle of the night. The following is by Dr Lowe and I think you'll find it helpful:-

naturalthyroidsolutions.com...

[DippyDame in reply to shaws]

Thank you shaws ...a very helpful link.

[MaisieGray]

The advice you received a month ago holds good - the return of your symptoms may indicate a need for a dosage increase. So if you haven't already done so, first have a full thyroid panel inc antibodies, to see what change shows up there, and adjust dose accordingly.

[HashiFedUp in reply to MaisieGray]

Had bloods done 20 mar. All within normal range. Endo happy with them. He couldn’t explain why my symptoms have returned. I have increased my T3 from half a tablet to a whole one (20). Endo says keep on that dose and see him in 6 months!!

[MaisieGray in reply to HashiFedUp]

Results being anywhere within their respective reference ranges does not becessarily mean they are optimal for you; and your Endo being happy with them is not at all the same as your body being healthy with them. 🙂 Diogenes described it a few days ago, with particular reference to TSH results but it holds good for your other results: "One of the better ways to estimate this is not to consider the whole range as one, but divide it into little segments and calculate the likelihood of being euthyroid in each segment. For example, we can look at the shape of the TSH range first. It is very skewed with a long flat tail of few subjects leading from about 2.5 up to 4, and a very steep left hand side with subjects leading from 0.5-1. About 80% of people have TSH betwen 0.5 and 2. So someone with a TSH of 3 will be in a small set of probably about 3%. This means you have a 3% likelihood of being truly euthyroid. In other words its a suspicious value which doesn't necessarily mean you are ill, but gives a significant possibility that you are. Action should depend on the perceived health of the subject."

What were your results and their reference ranges?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to HashiFedUp]

What were the ACTUAL results and ranges?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you got results to add

We frequently see patients have had Levothyroxine dose reduced when T3 is added. If FT4 levels then drop too much this can cause symptoms

What dose of Levothyroxine were you on before T3 was added ?

What dose of Levothyroxine now?

We frequently need good levels of FT4 AND FT3

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

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?

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