How to reduce T4?

Hey everybody,

Just on my way to blood tests, started having anxiety, panic, dizzy spells, hunger, pulse is up to 72 from 66 etc. Last time I felt this way it was when I overdosed. My FT4 was at 86% few weeks ago and I have increased by 5 mcg. I don't feel great, so planning to reduce. What's the best way to reduce? I took 150 mcg for 4 weeks, then added 5 mcg for 2 weeks. I am thinking of going down to 137.5. should I skip for couple of days and resume 137.5 or just go with 137.5 a day? Not sure what the best approach is on T4

I also have beta blockers in case...

Thanks x

[RockyPath]

T4 has a half-life of nine (9) days, so to notice any change when adjusting downward, you'd have to skip dose(s). Only you know your body, but it doesn't eliminate very fast.

Sorry you're going through this.

[Hidden in reply to RockyPath]

Thank you RockyPath, this is helpful. Unfortunately already took 137.5 half an hour ago, I might take nothing tomorrow or persevere on 137.5. didn't think higher ft4 would affect me, but it sure did. I will get my blood results tomorrow so should know more by then. I also bet my ft3 is not high, a lopsided situation most likely

[Hidden in reply to RockyPath]

Hi again, I skipped dose today and anxiety, shakes and all are gone. Will get my results today to see where I am, but one my results must be high, most likely ft4, not ft3

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I don't think you're leaving enough time for your levels to stabilise. It takes 6 weks after a dose change for that, and you are changing things too fast. Decide what dose you want to take, start taking it then leave 6-8 weeks before doing anything else, retest at that time.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

I changed from 150 to 155 mcg after 5 weeks, I thought it was a minor change, but it must have caused something. Or 150 caused it. I have typical symptoms of overdose for me, had this before, I can't stay on 155

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Sorry SeasideSusie - did you mean that I changed from 150 to 155 too quickly?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

I just mean that there should be 6-8 weeks on any particular dose before you change anything, this gives time for levels to stabilise and you can see how you react to the new dose once it's had time to be fully effective.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you - makes sense. Even if you have horrible symptoms at 5 weeks? I think I jumped the gun and unnecessarily added t4 to high t4 already, going by Dr T opinion. My endo despite my symptoms wants to see me in 2 months. This is why I was not sure I should drop to 150 mcg from a week ago or even lower?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

I seem to need 8 weeks if I've changed a dose, it's a pain but try to ride out the symptoms as your body is still adjusting to the new dose at 5 weeks.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

It seems then I should go back 150 mcg t4 and wait, I was so impatient to increase and now I got in trouble, I don't know if it's the new dose I had for a week or the old one overdose is worse than underdose. I will post my Labs tomorrow, would really appreciate your opinion x

[Hidden]

My advice would be slow and steady and see if you can allow enough time for the decrease to feed through. I was feeling great then over medicated on 137.5 mcg taken for eight weeks last year. I dropped to around 125mcg but three or four weeks later my hyper symptoms were worse as the 137.5 I'd been on a few weeks earlier was still having an effect on symptoms and TSH. Took a few more weeks to settle. Big learning for me is that I have to go slow and steady changing doses of T4 and T3 and not get despondent or stressed when I end up over or under and allow my body a good 8 to 10 weeks to really settle even if I'm tempted to rush a dose change to try to feel better. I can't remember who posted it but there's a nice little piece about hydrating a dry sponge that really helped me.

Michael

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Michael - thank you - really appreciate it. So as I thought this could be my old dose of 150 causing it (took it for 5 weeks, last week took 5 mcg more). I am curious as to what my labwork says.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh and the sponge analogy I do remember, it was an external link re NDT dosing

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Sorry so many messages! Have you seen your conversion changing a lot in 8 weeks? I tested mine at 4 weeks and it wasn't great. So another idea is that it could have improved