My Endocrinologist kindly prescribed me T3 5mcg twice a day. And to remain on 75mcg per day Levothyroxine. So an increase over all I split my Levothyroxine 38mcg twice daily. I’m on liquid Levo so it’s easy to accurately dose.
My latest bloods after a month on T3 5mcg twice daily and 38mcg Levothyroxine twice daily
TSH 0.46 (0.35-5.50)
T4 10.4 (7.86-14.41)
T3 4.90 (3.7-6.0)
Cortisol 311
I did both test leaving 24 hrs since taking T4 and T3 as advised by Endocrinologist. Looking on here maybe I should have done a shorter time lag with T3.
The first week I felt great I got my life back after a year of misery and virtually disabled I managed to do my garden a few times and even paint all the fence panels in my garden which was no small fete after a week I started to get pain in my back at first I thought I’d hurt it then some days later realised the pain is not going away and it was right under my rib cage at the bottom where adrenals are both sides were in pain I was also nose diving with weakness everyday and still am at 11am to 1pm however my cortisol results yesterday shocked and pleasantly surprised me at 311 it’s never been that good in 12 months of many blood tests it’s been as low as 68 several times So does T3 help your adrenals ? It would seem so for me Maybe the pain is my adrenals being forced to output more cortisol??
Today I’ve been for urine, urea, B12, ferritin, folate and vitamin D blood should have these tomorrow
I can’t believe how quick I got the thyroid and Cortisol bloods back I got them back the same day Things are looking up!
I’m speaking with my private Endocrinologist next week to see where I go from here
Any help or suggestions are greatly received I don’t know why I keep getting very weak between 11-1pm
I take T3 5mcg at 8am
I take T4 38mcg at 12.30pm
I take T3 5mcg at 3pm
I take T4 38mcg at 4.30pm
Many thanks
Pam
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McPammy
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I think it would be more convenient to take one daily dose as you have to find a 'window' with each dose where you haven't eaten. This is a link by one of the Advisers to TUK (now deceased) which might be helpful:-
Hi. Thank you for taking time to respond. And also the link.
It’s impossible for me to take one daily dose of T3 as it needs to be spread throughout the day due to it life.
I agree about Levothyroxine. I always took it at 6am before work. However, with my adrenal issue the past year my body goes into meltdown if I take 75mcg in one hit. So I have no choice unfortunately.
I think I’ve got similar blood test results as you. I was on 157mcg of Levo per day with and average of 16 (9-24) fit T4 and 3.5 (3.5-6.5) for T3
I’ve just stated T3 5mcg x3 per day and 132mcg per day t4. I am feeling soooo well, I can’t even believe it, it’s like next level euphoria ie ‘normal’ 😂
After 2wks I’ve gone with 10mcg in the morning and 5mcg at night with no trouble. I still don’t really eat till the afternoon 12/1pm so it was better for me to double the dose on the morning and gave the afternoon/early evening to eat.
You still look like you could do another 5mcg if T3 and still be in range. I wonder if 10mcg is not quite enough? How are you feeling with it added?
Hi. That’s brilliant that you feel sooo much better. I too know that feeling. Before I was in a mess. Could hardly walk some days. Collapsing endlessly.
When I first started I couldn’t believe how normal I felt. It was the best week of the past year for me. I still feel so much better even though I have this concerning pain in my adrenals and keep nose diving with weakness for about 2 hours each day then recover.
My TSH is quite low saying I don’t need anymore thyroxine. I feel as though a I need less Levothyroxine and maybe another 5mcg if T3.
I’m so glad I managed to get the T3. I had to go private. Did you manage to get it on the NHS.
I’ll speak to my Endo and hopefully he can work it out for me
Thank you for your support it’s really appreciated
Oooo I’m not sure I’d lower your T4. You’re still converting and even if we don’t fully understand why that is the best process if you can do it I’d say try and keep it active. I’d add more t3 first and see how you feel before I lowered the t4, 75mcg is not a lot.
I don’t know much about adrenals, so I’m sorry you have to cope with that aswell.
I did on on t4 for the last 10yrs but never stable. Always asking for more even though at times I was in range. I fell out with my GP and she wrote a scathing letter of referral to my NHS Endo saying that I was a ‘non compliant patient’ and pretty much tainted me as ‘ reckless’ with my meds. Long story short NHS endo didn’t/hasn’t done anything just a letter and see you in 3mths for a review. I couldn’t wait that long my health went into melt down. Housebound for 2mths. Then I saw a private endo who prescribed T3 and within 2 days I felt good and within 5 I was so well I would smile for no reason. I should post the picture of my unwell face as opposed to me well face. I think the physical ‘look’is astounding! I’m going to print a picture for my next NHS visit and say ‘explain THIS!!’ 😂
Forgot to say don’t worry about TSH levels. They’re not a good indicator of thyroid health once we start replacements but taking T3 will give a lower reading anyway. Just look at your FT4 and FT3 results. They have wiggle room for adjusting. Always go with your symtoms 😀
I too have been back and forth for 12 years. Again TSH high saying it needs more when T4 already at top of range. Then GP prescribed more T4 and I went into melt down after 6 weeks. My T3 was very low and my T4 over the range. T3 was 3.9 (3.7-6.0). Hospital Endocrinologist could see I was in a state and wouldn’t entertain T3. He then sent me into neurology. Which was a wild goose chase which lasted over 6 months and now I was house bound too. Private Endocrinologist prescribed me T3 after 2 visits. Now on T3 felt amazingly normal. I just need to speak to him next week and see what he suggests before anything is changed. I won’t change T4 or T3 until I speak with him
Our stories sound similar in the medical world.
Have you changed your GP now or had a chat with the practise manager. It’s all about their budgets!! T3 is too expensive in the NHS. Why confuses me. I got mine from Germany. £60 for a years supply! Go figure. If T3 was the same cost in NHS as T4 they would prescribe no problem for sure.
Hi, Yes, I’ve beeb very encouraged by T3. Just this damn weakness at noon and back pain. I’m still very happy and positive. I’m guessing there’s generally some tweaking to do when starting Endocrine medication.
Thanks for your comment and support. You are very kind. 👍😀.
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