T3 Dosage

[jarock]

This is an update from a previous post. I had total thyroidectomy several years ago and was always prescribed only Synthroid /T4. About a week ago I added generic T3 (my first experience)..

I am taking 2.5 mcg in the morning and 2.5 mcg in the afternoon along with Synthroid that I have decreased from 125 mcg to 100 mcg daily. I feel much better now compared to 2 weeks ago.

Am I taking sufficient T3 per day to make a big difference? I will appreciate any thoughts /suggestions. My very recent labs that were done before adding the T3 are below.

Recent labs

TSH = 2.19 Range 0.40-4.50

T4 FREE = 1.2 Range 0.8 - 1.8

T4 TOTAL = 7.2 Range 5.1-11.9

T3 TOTAL = 76 Range 76 -181

T3 FREE = 2.4 Range 2.3 -4.2

Thank You

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Two weeks is too soon to tell how you are doing

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change

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 had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested recently?

If not suggest you get these tested along with thyroid at 8 weeks on this T3 dose

You may need to put your Levothyroxine dose back up at next test, if FT4 drops too low. Your total T4 was pretty low in last post Low FT4 can cause symptoms as well as low FT3

[jarock in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank You SlowDragon. The recent blood test posted was done in the afternoon fasting (except water) since midnight. I usually take my T4 around midnight which is several hours before /after meals and other medications,

but I did not skip the T4 the night prior to the test. I reduced the Synthroid on my own because I was afraid it would be too much when added with the T3.

My Ferritin, iron were done with my recent labs, but not Vit D.

Ferritin = 153 (range 10 -232)

Folate = >24 .0 (normal range >5.4 )

Vit B12 = 1188 (range 200-1100)

I will surely take your advise for the next testing.

Thank You.

[shaws Administrator]

Studies have shown that a combination of T4/T3 or on a 3:1 basis or 4:1 basis has been found to be beneficial.

[jarock in reply to shaws]

Thank you Shaw . That means I could slowly increase T3 to 25 mcg while I keep the T4 at 100mcg.