T3 First effects

[SurdoQueen]

After having a positive result of the DI02 test I've now been taking 20mcg of liothyronine for the past five days - half tab morning, half around 5pm. I have had the odd whizzy feeling about 4 hours into a dose, but the most noticeable effect has been on my mood and emotions. Having spent years chronically clinically depressed and a hairs breath away from tears 24/7 my mood has completely stabilised to a feeling of calm contentment with no desire to cry at all. I'm blown away by it, it's really quite profound. Have other people experienced this? I have also noticed I'm not finding stair climbing such a huge effort. I wish I'd been tested for the DI02 problem years ago! I'm 54, I've lived a life wading through treacle, with the onset of the menopause that treacle got stickier and stickier. I'm so thankful for this test and will encourage my family to get tested as it's genetic.

[shaws Administrator]

I am glad that getting the D102 test has had a positive effect on your health. Its a pity more doctors/endocrinologists seem unaware of this condition. This is a link which might also be helpful for you i.e. 'Safely Getting Well etc":-

naturalthyroidsolutions.com...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Glad to hear it's going so well

Many others with DIO2 gene variation find enormous benefits. Can vary vastly from patient to patient what the most significant improvement is.

[momindenver]

So happy for you! I'd just like to add that I believe the DIO1 gene mutation could be significant as well as the DIO2, in converting T4 to T3. I think it is for me! Same thing--I feel so much better on T3!

[SurdoQueen]

Two weeks in taking T3 my mood and emotions are still level. I was worried the effect was just because I had gone on a short break away from my family, but my depression and mood swings have disappeared and I'm feeling pragmatic about all my problems and worries instead of my usual catastrophizing,brain fog gone, I have clarity of mind. I feel like a different person! My physical issues haven't really changed very much. Still have sore, aching, weak muscles hoping that will catch up but I'm going to get tested for celiac as suggested by SlowDragon, and regardless of result will give gluten a miss for three months and see what happens. But I would like to wait a while longer to see if the T3 has an effect on my physical symptoms.

[Hpbr in reply to SurdoQueen]

I think what you are feeling is like what it is to be "normal". I don't think others, outside the thyroid community, realise how debilitating and dreadful life can be with insufficiently treated thyroid. Particularly when you look back to how disabling it can make you. Replacement with the right and appropriate hormone makes life great again.

I'm dio1 and dio2 homozygous. Have coeliac disease. And possibly also Sjogrens.

Gluten free and going easy on the dairy .... a casein and lactose intolerance could also be in the mix! has helped.

I'm almost t3 only, just titrating dose. However for me it's like night and day. Life is rosy and I'm pretty upbeat .... which was how I was before autoimmune issues cocked everything up.

Good luck x

Btw it's been very slow. Don't rush with doses. For me, I'm 10 months in .... slowly, slowly.

Got great advice on this site. It saved me, I'm sure. I'm eternally grateful for the support I received.

[SurdoQueen in reply to Hpbr]

I'm so thankful I have finally discovered the cause of my symptoms. I'm thinking after my hopeless attempt at a finger prick test for a gluten intolerance home test that I may just cut out gluten for three months anyway to see if I feel different. I did do that about 6 years ago and my mobility improved somewhat but slowly my gluten intake crept back up along with decline in mobility. Once I've done that I will then cut out the dairy, I don't eat huge amounts anyway. Always use oat milk in drinks etc, dairy free butter and I do make my own dairy free cheese occasionally as I'm leaning towards veganism. Mozzarella on a pizza is a sticking point for me! But if cutting these things out enables me to be fully functional and live a more enjoyable life it has to be worth it.

As you say, I don't think people understand what it's like. I volunteer on various community projects and next weekend I have two full days where two projects fall on the same weekend. My friend who I run the two with doesn't understand my fears over having enough energy to do both on consecutive days. I very much have to portion/ration my energy. If I do one thing on one day it take me at least a day to recover from it. Two days out of the house doing high intensity activities is going to be a huge challenge and one which will have a knock on effect for days if not a week. It makes me feel as though I'm perceived as a moaner or self absorbed with my well being but I really do have to pace myself very carefully.

[NWA6]

Hi SurfoQueen 👋 Did you take the 20mcg (spilt in 2) all from one day? I did this with 15mcg (split 3) and I too had the same feelings. Instant mental benefits. After 6wks I did my blood test and increased to 20mcg because I still had a couple of physical symtoms left over and they then disappeared too. I was told to reduce my Levo at the time, it’s now been nearly 4mths and now I have a couple of physical symptoms creeping back in so I’m increasing my Levo again because I believe that it shouldn’t have been cut so much in the first place. It’s so fabulous to hear another good news story 🤗

[cazmania7]

I know this is an old thread but wow, how inspiring to read this!!

[SurdoQueen in reply to cazmania7]

Taking T3 has been life changing for me, being told to reduce my dose has been very distressing. I'd been in therapy this year prior to starting T3 because my depression was so all consuming and I was feeling suicidal, the change on T3 was almost instant and profound, the sun has been out every day in my head, but now...? who knows how this is going to affect me.