T3 dose help

[dodge1979]

Hi all

Gp has taken my T3 from me and I am due to run out

Currently taking 125mcg of levo and 20mcg T3

I have bought some T3 my self but they are 25mcg

Question is what do I drop my levo down to?

When moving up to 25mcg of T3

Thanks

[MaisieGray]

Well it's not necessarily a given that you need to reduce your T4, it depends on your current FT4 level; plus of course, what level your FT3 is at, on 20 mcg of T3; and importantly, how you feel on those levels.

[dodge1979 in reply to MaisieGray]

Hi masisie

I started 20mcg of T3 on 11th of may and not had bloods done yet at hospital

Should I have bloods done before I go up to 25mcg of T3 ?

[shaws Administrator in reply to dodge1979]

I don't think a blood test is necessary. Tests only show us were our bloods were at a certain time of the day. The best way to judge dose is 'how we feel' on certain doses.

One of TUK's advisers only took one blood test for the initial diagnosis and thereafter it was all based upon how the patient 'felt' on a dose which was increased every two weeks by a small amount until symptom-free.

[dodge1979 in reply to shaws]

I had cancer and need TSH suppression

It’s been a year and my TSH is still over 1

[jgelliss in reply to dodge1979]

If your on T4 dose meds only you might want to consider asking your Dr for some T3/NDT . T3/NDT is a very potent thyroid hormone suppresser . I wish I would have known about it when I had my TT . Instead I was on very high doses of T4 only for suppression purposes and consequently struggled with many symptoms over the years . I am not a good converter T4 to T3 .

Best Wishes .

[dodge1979 in reply to jgelliss]

I don’t convert very well also

In the U.K. so can’t have NDT

[pennyannie in reply to dodge1979]

Hey there Dodge

You can buy your own NDT as you do T3 and DIY.

I'm not suggesting you do this now, at this exact point in time, but just bear it in mind as many of us, here in the UK purchase our own NDT and self medicate.

[jgelliss in reply to dodge1979]

You might want to ask your Dr for a script for T3 meds if you can not get a script for NDT .

Wishing You Wellness .

[shaws Administrator in reply to dodge1979]

Your doctor should ensure your TSH is suppressed. It will make you anxious if the rules aren't followed.

[MaisieGray in reply to dodge1979]

Hi dodge1979 Yes, I'd definitely have bloods done before making a change, especially as your next test is imminent in any case, and as the change is being in a sense forced upon you because of the T3 change, rather than you feeling say, under-medicated and wanting to increase your T3 dose because of that. It's always best to use the most data available to you, so if you go by the test results, how you feel, and symptoms/absence of same, that's the best position from which to make your decision - especially since you want to make the best decision to facilitate down-regulation of your TSH. But on that point, are you aware that thinking is changing, regarding the absolute need to do that, depending on different factors? If not, you might want to check it out.

[dodge1979 in reply to MaisieGray]

I am so unsure and don’t trust the nhs any more.

He did say my thyroglobulin is under 1 and that means no protein is being made

So do I need a suppression of the TSH ?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dodge1979]

Suggest you try as shaws says.....

See how you feel using the whole 25mcg tablet....

Presumably you take as divided dose .....2 or 3 times per day

If you find 25mcg seems a bit much just reduce by 1/4 tablet

[shaws Administrator]

5mcg increase may make you feel better, so I'd be apt not to change/alter until you've taken it for a few days. In fact you may find it suits you.

You can always 1/4 your T3 tablet and take 3/4s instead of one whole tablet if you feel one tablet is too much