T3 only

[Hippyhappy234]

Hi everyone

Can I please ask how long you should be on a particular dosage of T3 before having a blood test ?

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Recommended 6-8 weeks

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 is 8-12 hours prior to test, even if that means adjusting time of last dose the day before test

[Hippyhappy234 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

6 weeks is fine for most people, there are a couple of us who need nearer 8 weeks, although I take a combination of Levo plus T3 but wait the 6-8 weeks even when changing dose of T3.

[Hippyhappy234 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ok thank you

[Judithdalston]

Just T3 only, not a combo with T4/levo? I adjusted doses fortnightly by 1/4 pill or so, then when I thought I felt bit better, or on a easier dose to administer ( eg whole pill rather than 1/4 parts) remained on that dose for 6-8 weeks, even longer, before testing. During that 6-8 weeks altho daily dose was the same experimented with doses/ timings eg splitting dose up, or different time of day/ night. Are your folate, ferritin, vit D and B12 optimal, if not I think there is little point testing T3 till likely to be improved.

[Hippyhappy234 in reply to Judithdalston]

My vit D is low & possibly b12. I am taking supplements

[Judithdalston in reply to Hippyhappy234]

I would suggest you get these up , even before starting T3, but if you are already taking then try to raise b12 and vit D as quickly as possible!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hippyhappy234]

How low was vitamin D and how much vitamin D are you now supplementing?

[Hidden in reply to Judithdalston]

You mentioned folate, ferritin, vitamin d, and b12, you mean the thyroid hormone medicine won’t work? I have anemia feeling as though my thyroid medicine is not being absorbed.

[Judithdalston in reply to Hidden]

Need these 4 vits/ mins to be optimal ( not just in range, but higher, upper half plus) for good thyroid health/ conversion T4 to the active T3. B12 or iron Anaemia...how are you treating it? I found low iron, but still within range, felt like the thyroid hormone wasn’t working. Are you Hashimoto’s/ autoimmune thyroiditis as that is often characterised by poor gut absorption...so low nutrients, and some ‘meds’ are poorly absorbed. Are you on T3 only?