How to start on T3

So I am going to start taking t3, my tablets are 20mcg so I am going to cut them in to 4.

Does anyone have any advice on when and how u should take it? Would you lower your t4 first? And do I take one in the morning and one in the evening?

Thank you as always

[Lovecake]

Hello!

As per previous conversations, I take 5mcg (quarter tablet) with my levo and another quarter before bed.

I decided to start reducing my Thyroxine 2 weeks before I added the T3.

Wasn’t told to, just thought it would be a good idea as it takes a little while to get out of the system.

The first 3 weeks on T3 I felt marvellous, it did calm down.

I still feel good most of the time, but do have a few days here and there where I need to rest more and don’t feel so good. Probably just me.

I take my Thyroxine and T3 an hour before lunch as, like today, I occasionally need to take Imigran to prevent a migraine from getting worse. Can’t take Thyroxine and Imigran within 3hrs of each other. And have to take the Imigran first to stop the migraine.

Good luck, hope you feel amazing on the T4/T3 combo ☺️

[Hidden in reply to Lovecake]

thank you so much for your help 😊 glad you are feeling better overall

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lovecake]

Lovecake

Perhaps your FT4 is now too low

Previous post showed drop in FT4 when Levothyroxine reduced

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Many of us need good FT4 and FT3

TSH is largely irrelevant on any dose of T3

Presumably you split dose of T3?

12 hours apart on two doses

Are your vitamin levels optimal

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

could I ask what it is typical for your tsh to show when you are taking t3? My Endo is giving me a 3 month trial of t3 but said the blood test will be judged on tsh alone. Thank you again.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like your doomed, unless they will be happy with suppressed TSH

Clearly just testing TSH is utterly useless

[Lovecake in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon

Thank you for your message.

Yes, I was thinking the same. I have a thriva home test to do next week.

I think I’ll add a tiny bit extra Thyroxine if the results suggest it (probably post on here too).

Had a busy/stressful few days which probably haven’t helped.

My vitamins and minerals were at the best ever (well, since I’ve known to check).

I’ll read the link once my head is better in a few hours. ☺️

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

To know if you need to lower your dose of Levo, post your latest results for TSH, FT4 and FT3, with their reference ranges, for us to comment.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

I haven't got them to hand right now, but my t3 and t4 are mid range and my tsh around 0.4

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

Free T4 = 17.50 (12-22)

Free T3= 4.96 (3.1-6.8).

Wiith those results - FT4 is 55% through range and FT3 is 50% through range so they're well balanced and in my opinion don't show the need for T3, I would say an increase in Levo is the first step.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

thanks for your reply, I have tried this and feel okay for the first few days but then feel rubbish again. Thanks for your help though 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Results from 2 months ago

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).

Is this how this test from 2 months ago was done?

Ideally you would retest fist, but assuming its still similar and test done correctly

You may not need to reduce Levothyroxine. You don't want FT4 falling any lower

Suggest taking just 6.25mcg when waking

Wait at least a week to assess, before adding 2nd 1/4 tablet later in day, ideally 8-12 hours later

Retest TSH, FT3 and FT4 6-8 weeks later, before considering adding another 1/4 tablet

Making sure last dose of T3 is 8-12 hours before blood test

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

That is so helpful, thank you so much. Yes, that is how my last blood test was done. I wil try what you say. Thanks again!