After a reduction in FT3 meds, how long before ... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,153 members160,835 posts

After a reduction in FT3 meds, how long before FT3 reduces and T4 increases?

ThyroidObsessed profile image
13 Replies

I'm on levo and T3 meds.

I'm suffering at the minute, my latest FT3 revealed an over range FT3 and mid range FT4...

I think the lower ft4 is affecting me plus the over range ft3, as I'm having hyper and hypo symptoms...

How long before my levels change and I feel better (Mentally)

I don't suffer physically...

Written by
ThyroidObsessed profile image
ThyroidObsessed
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
13 Replies
ThyroidObsessed profile image
ThyroidObsessed

Anyone know the answer??

in reply to ThyroidObsessed

Hey, it's individual, but after 3 days levels of t3 should change and should feel some relief, but it can take another few days after that to start feeling normal if that was the cause...everyone is a bit different, so it's hard to say.

ThyroidObsessed profile image
ThyroidObsessed in reply to

It's been about 4 days, I think my symptoms are of both over range ft3 and also too little ft4, so think it will take a while for ft4 to increase...

in reply to ThyroidObsessed

I had both too recently, it took over 10 days for me to become hypo only

ThyroidObsessed profile image
ThyroidObsessed in reply to

Am I right that decreasing T3 meds will increase Ft4 level becoz of the conversion rate?..

As I have stayed on the 100mcg of Levo but decreased my T3 meds as my ft4 was no range and ft3 was over range, I don't think my body can cope with a mid range ft4 I think I need it higher...

in reply to ThyroidObsessed

It's hard to say what t4 will do, only way to find out is to try. Some people see an increase, because of tsh stimulation , for some it stays the same. Try if you can to do one thing at the time, otherwise you might be confused. If you start increasing Levo now and decrease t3 you may go through overdose overlaps.

ThyroidObsessed profile image
ThyroidObsessed in reply to

Ok yes sounds about right...

I have only recently decreased my T3 meds because of the fact it was over range and the fact that I'm having hypo symptoms of low ft4, I feel like my ft4 needs to increase its at mid range at the minute... I'm hoping the ft4 increases enough from dropping down to 5mcg of t3 from 10mcg...

I'm so so depressed anxious and messed up at the minute...

I feel like I'm drowning 😢

in reply to ThyroidObsessed

I understand, I also need a decent ft4 to feel well, above mid-range (anything below makes me feel unstable).

I really really get it, don't lose hope, you will get through. I went through months of severe anxiety, severe insomnia, derealisation, I took me long time to realise it was thyroid meds not optimal for me, even though I was advised they look great (high ft3, low ft4). It does go away I promise you. Do you have beta blockers ?

ThyroidObsessed profile image
ThyroidObsessed in reply to

No I don't have beta blockers because funnily enough I don't get Palps!??..

What I do get is the derealisation u have mentioned which is hell as u know on and off, and moods constantly up and down, tearful then laughing also any slight conflict or argument really sends my anxiety through the roof and I feel I'm gonna have a mental breakdown And can't cope...

What hurts most is the closest people around me just say they think I'm having an on going break down because my levels went off 2 years ago but I have only just been offered a trial of t3 from my endo..

So I suppose it does look bad and like a mental illness from the outside doesn't it really.. no one believes it's my thyroid 😣

in reply to ThyroidObsessed

Gotcha, they're good for anxiety, I had to pop one last night, my heart was a bit upset :)

I sympathise so much, I had derealisation for 1 year, to the point I felt numb, I tried to make myself feel better by saying that it's better to be detached from this terrible world :)

I had maybe 1 or 2 people that believed me, my so called friends left me. I thought I was going insane and developing psychiatric diseases. It was too much t3 for me. You need to experiment to see what suits you, we are all unique. Don't lose faith, this shall pass too

ThyroidObsessed profile image
ThyroidObsessed in reply to

Past week has been hell I'm feeling so low at the minute... I had derealisation for months when I was just on levo alone when my ft4 went over range but ft3 not even mid range... so I think a over range ft4 causes it for me.. I also sometimes get confusion episodes just for a few seconds where I can't think straight and don't know where i am....

At one point I had to drop T3 dose and increase levo to get a better balance. High T3 but below range T4 makes me exhausted and achy. Took about 2 weeks to start to feel better but obviously full effect of increasing levo took about six weeks, it was useful because I have a clearer idea of where my T3 and T4 levels need to sit. My GP gave me beta blockers to use of necessary if I end up over medicated. These help with palpitations, anxiety and over arousal. I used them once or twice while as I didn't reduce my T3 meds until I felt the increase Levo kicking in, so I had a bit of an over medicated overlap if that makes sense.

Hope you feel better soon.

Michael

Nat107 profile image
Nat107

Hi I no it’s been a few years but did you find the right dose to higher your t4, do you feel any better hopefully you are doing ok now

You may also like...

How long before you feel a reduction in T4?

add in my ft4 level it doesn’t make sense. You see my ft4 is around 22, so top of the range. You...

how long does it take for t4 to come down after reducing dose?

felt really poorly as it has and is affecting my heart. I have lowered my dose back down to what I...

How to raise fT3 without T3 meds?

27-4.2), fT4 18.4 (12-22) and fT3 3.7 (3.2-6.8). These are current values. My dose had been lower...

Does FT3 increase when T4 does?

for FT3 whist I was having them done. The reults cam back at: T4 20.2 (range 12-22) FT3 5.9 (range...

How long before I feel better after switching from T4 to NDT?

NDT after being on T4 for over a year and not feeling well despite my latest thyroid tests results...