Morning, after a bit of advice from you lovely lot. I recently added T3 to my T4 so take from 150mcg Levo now take 100mcg of T4 and 6.25 of Tiromel split over 2 doses in the day. I was hoping that the addition of the T3 would take away the joint pain.
If I stop taking T4 (which I know isn’t very clever) the joint pain seems to disappear almost instantly. And for a few days the addition of the T3 lifted it too. Any suggestions or how things work for you guys? TIA
What brand of Levothyroxine are you currently taking?
Is it always the same brand?
How's your vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels?
Suggest you get full Thyroid and vitamin testing 6-8 weeks after being on constant and unchanging dose of Levothyroxine plus T3
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
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
Also as you have Graves' disease are you on strictly gluten free diet? Or have you tried it?
They have recently changed brand on levo via gp. T3 comes from Bulgarian chemist. Want to try gluten free, its in a lot besides bread isn't it? I've come to realise upon reading, thanks for the advice. Xx
You’ve given yourself a reduction in dose overall so may be worth trying a bit more T3 before changing T4. Its not that uncommon to temporarily feel better after a dose increase or addition of T3. If positive effects disappear you need to increase again.
Some people do temporarily feel well on stopping treatment - may be due to a sudden increase in tsh and a flood of hormones but it doesn’t last if your thyroid is underactive. I personally don’t think it indicates sensitivity to T4 or side effects.
Joint pain is a hypo symptom so may disappear with higher dose but then again you may have joint pain for another reason.
All sounds typical to me, just need a dose increase, but it’s your decision, I’m not medically qualified.
Going down 50 mcg levo to 100, then only adding 6.25 mcg of Tiromel ( or is it 2 x 6.25?) will probably lower your FT3. I did similar but to 75 T4 : 25 T3 and FT3 went down, so giving up all your levo. altogether would seem an unlikely fix on low dose T3. Remember the levo.has a long half life ie after a week you still had half the dose in your blood stream, following week a 1/4...., hope the pain goes as you add T3 only. I got up to 75 mcg T3 only but still in pain ( diagnosed fibromyalgia and was following Dr.Lowe’s fibro protocol), and now going back down aiming to try the 75%T4:T3. Advice you to be patient, make sure your vits/mins are optimal, and record basal temp, bp/ pulse and how you feel daily.
Thank you Judith, I hope your pain eases. X
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