T3 and physical activity

[Coachgeorge]

I see folks saying they adjust their T3 based on what they are doing. For example, they take a higher dose on a day when they are going to be physically active. I’m no where near ready to make any changes but is this common? Guess I don’t really understand what T3 does. Someone told me not to exert my energy while I’m trying to figure out my doses. Would someone help me understand? Thanks

[m7-cola]

Well I imagine that when my thyroid was originally working properly it ramped up production as my body demanded. So taking a little extra by mouth when I’m occasionally very active makes sense to me.

[Coachgeorge in reply to m7-cola]

That makes sense. I’ve just started T3 and have had some struggles. Folks think I might be under medicated with T3 and T4. I’m just sitting around waiting for my next blood draw. Thank you

[shaws Administrator in reply to Coachgeorge]

Concentrate on your clinical symptoms and as they are relieved when slowly increasing dose symptoms should resolve.

[shaws Administrator]

I don't adjust dose of T3 according to what I do. T3 gives me normal energy and I can do things just as I have done in the past before hypo..

[Coachgeorge in reply to shaws]

Do you know what T3 actually does?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Coachgeorge]

T3 (liothyronine) is the Active Thyroid Hormone. It is required in our millions of T3 receptor cells that then send out 'waves' throughout the day. The heart and brain contains the most. One daily dose of T3 lasts between one to three days.

T4 (levothyroxine) is inactive and has to convert to T3.

I am not medically qualified.

[greygoose]

No, it doesn't make sense. You can't do that with T3. Your body needs a steady, regular dose of T3 to recover. If you keep decreasing, then increasing again, it will confuse the body.

Besides, it's not just because you take an extra dose when you got to the gym, that that extra T3 is going to get to the places that need it. There's no direct route. T3 goes round in the blood, past the receptors and, receptors that need it will latch on to it. But it, say, go directly to your biceps just because you've been lifting weights. It might be a couple of days before that extra T3 is taken up into cells - and not necessarily bicep cells.

That's very crudely explained, but just to say it is not a good thing to do.

[Coachgeorge in reply to greygoose]

Appreciate the explanation. You know I don’t make any moves without asking. I’ve had so many negative experiences with medication. I try to be very careful

[greygoose in reply to Coachgeorge]

That's the best way.

[Coachgeorge in reply to greygoose]

You offer so much help. I’m wondering, how are you doing?

[greygoose in reply to Coachgeorge]

I'm fine, thank you.

[Coachgeorge in reply to greygoose]

That’s good to hear. I saw where you struggled in your profile. Happy you are doing well

[greygoose in reply to Coachgeorge]

Oh, that's when I was listening to doctors! Now I self-treat, things are so much better!

[Coachgeorge in reply to greygoose]

Things are so different in the US. I’m. It sure how we’d self treat as we couldn’t get prescriptions.

[greygoose in reply to Coachgeorge]

I don't get a prescription, either. I think there are plenty of people in the US that do self-treat. They buy their hormone on-line.

[Coachgeorge in reply to greygoose]

Learning every moment!

[greygoose in reply to Coachgeorge]

That's life!

[Naomi8 in reply to greygoose]

Me Too!

[McMurtagh]

I’ve been on T3 for over 20 years and have never varied the dose in association with physical activity.

Up until a few years ago, and until work got in the way, I was a regular gym goer and found I had all the energy I needed to keep up with and, in many instances, surpass others in my Spin class 🚴‍♀️ 😎

Good luck

[Geetal]

Im on slow release T3. If it stays in the system for approx 3 days does anyone know why Ive been prescribed slow release?

[Louiss]

I don't understand how you cab increase or decrease when you have been prescribed a limited supply.

[Coachgeorge in reply to Louiss]

I just learned that some folks buy online. However, it doesn’t appear that changing doses is a good idea

[sammantha28]

As energy relates, I have found that if my iron is low I have low energy, get out of breathe easily, and have major DOMS that can last 4-6 days. As it was explained to me, it is possible that leaky gut is caused by eating foods we aren't really tolerant to which case inflammation in the gut. This causes nutrients to bypass the gut lining and go into the body. At this point the body will attack which can turn into an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto's... Which is what I have that causes my hypothyroidism. The reason most with hypo have low iron or vitamin d is because of this issue with the gut lining not absorbing the nutrients. It might be worth getting your iron, ferritin, vitamin d, and other levels checked if possible. My doctor explained that many "optimal" ranges aren't actually optimal so you'd have to get your results and research truly optimal ranges. Many doctors just go by very old standards.

[thyr01d in reply to sammantha28]

What are DOMS?

[HashiFedUp in reply to thyr01d]

DOMS = delayed onset muscle soreness!

[Coachgeorge]

I am taking vitamin d but the iron may be an issue. My red blood cell counts are too high. Adding iron may cause another problem. My ferritin is low. I’ve read that riboflavin may help lower those red blood counts. I plan to discuss with my internist at my next appointment. Thank you

[Eliotf]

CoachGeorge,

I am told by my Endocrinologist, as well as found it on line that T3’s half life is about 6 hours. T4’s half life is about 10 days. This is why T3 may be taken twice to 3 times a day. Thyroid makes T4, the different organs & body parts convert T4 to T3, then it is used by them. The self adjustment might be that you we’re sedentary before and now you are becoming consistently more active. I have been on t4 since mid 1990s, 3-4 years ago I started t3. This is because of chemo a couple years agoas well as the constant destruction of my thyroid by Hashimoto. My organs are not able to convert t4 efficiently. It is mostly trial & error of how you feel more than the test numbers. Find an endocrinologist who will work with and for you.

[Coachgeorge in reply to Eliotf]

Thank you! I do think my sedentary lifestyle plays a role and n all of this. I was so sick from the flu and the steroids, it just made things more complicated. It’s day by day.

[Eliotf in reply to Coachgeorge]

CoachGeorge,

Yes absolutely the sedentary lifestyle does affect how much T4 and probably T3. Here is how and this is from personal experience: in my younger days back in the 1990s when I was active and jogging a few miles several times a week my blood tests showed that I do not need as much T4. During long periods of laziness, the blood tests showed I needed more T4. My Endo told me because my body was not as efficient as when I running and staying in shape.

The other issue with thyroid pills is that SSRIs negatively effect the amount of T4 taken. If it is an autoimmune disorder such as Hashimotos and some others AND how bad/aggressive they are you could be changing doses every few months to every few years.

There are so many things that can affect your levels, so that is another reason why this is mostly about how you feel, more than the numbers

[Coachgeorge in reply to Eliotf]

It seems to be a vicious circle. I feel awful so it's hard to move about. If I don't move, I won't get well. Very discouraged and I have another two weeks before my internist will adjust meds. ugh

[Greekchick in reply to Coachgeorge]

You might try moving for 10 minutes at a time . Anout 3 weeks after my TT, I would walk around the block for about 5 minutes at a time during the day for a total of 15 minutes -slow walking and then I would rest for several hours after that before doing it again. As my meds increased and I felt better, I would add 5 minutes each time once a day. I’m now up to about one hour a day and not all at one time yet - I can manage 30 minutes at a time. Some days I can make 45 minutes - then I sit down somewhere and rest and finish the rest after that. You will have to find your own rhythm and see how quickly you tire. 5 minutes at a time once or twice a day will not really make a difference but you will feel like you are moving and you get out of the house. It’s good for the mind and body . I don’t know if you are ready for that yet , but tuck it away for future consideration.

[Coachgeorge in reply to Greekchick]

Greekchick, You’ve been on my mind today. I started to message you four or five times but decided I need to get a backbone. I will try to follow your plan. It’s difficult to walk outside because of my allergies but I do have a stationary bike. I think I’m improving but it’s so hard to tell. I know you understand that when you feel so bad for so long, it’s hard to have perspective. There’s so much brain fog that I forget what people teach me on this forum and end up asking over and over again. As I’ve said before, I’m not patient. I have another two weeks before my draw. I’m convinced I need more medication but have to wait. Maybe, it will improve but doubtful. I’m anxious to get back to working with kids part time. I hope it becomes a reality. Thank you for supporting me.

[Greekchick in reply to Coachgeorge]

Hi coach,

Please do not do stationery bike - it will be too strenuous for you at this point. I have a mask that I wear when the air quality is bad outside and it’s good for allergies too - being outdoors will make you feel part of the world again. Baby steps! All the best.

[Coachgeorge in reply to Greekchick]

Okay, it will give me something to do tomorrow. I can pick up a mask. Oh the little things

[Eliotf in reply to Coachgeorge]

CoachGeorge -

PLEASE see an endocrinologist !

The T4 does take 4-6 weeks to stablize. The T3 is immediate. When I first started taking it I felt that rush because it is like a caffeine jolt, but does not last as long. In fact now several years after starting, I can take it and go back to bed. Recently I was very exhausted, cloudy brain, in the late afternoon just like from the low T4. Being that blood numbers for my T4 & TSH were in the middle normal range, but my T3 was bottom normal my Endo suggested I do the T3 in the afternoon. That really helped. Yet I still did not get the caffeine jolt, just feeling normal.

For what ever reason my body is not converting the T4 to T3 efficiently to be used.

Yes you need to get up and move to keep everything circulating - I have been there & it does take a lot of will power to get out of the chair.

For my T4 I was taking more than many people take after they had their thyroid removed. That is one of the clues that my T4 was not being converted to T3. I went from 180mcg of T4 and no T3, to 137mcg T4 and 5mcg T3

[Coachgeorge in reply to Eliotf]

Thank you! My internist speciality is endocrinology so I’m comfortable. We’ve established that I have problems converting too. I spoke with her recently about increasing t3 and T4. She wants to wait until my next draw. I’m confident she’ll make the adjustments. She’s actually been followed your protocol. I suspect I’ll end up with similar doses. I actually left the house for about an hour today and will try to do so again tomorrow. Appreciate the information

[Carna in reply to Coachgeorge]

I have recently started on a T3 addition to my T4. I haven't exercised for ...I can't remember! I used to be pretty fit. I bought a DVD for seated exercise for disabled, post operative or elderly people. It was tough at first and I had to take a painkiller first to get me moving as I ached so much. I soon found it not enough and it eased me back in gently to managing something more challenging for me. My energy levels have upped along with my fitness. Weight has stopped piling on and after an initial 4lb loss it has stayed the same. I am telling myself that muscle weighs heavier than my fat and that is why. I am probably kidding myself but it keeps me from worrying about it and my 'shape' and confidence is slowly returning.

So start really slowly and carefully when you do and gradually increase as you feel more confident and stronger.

[thyr01d]

I do alter my T3 dose according to activity as advised by my endocrinology consultant. This may be because my energy output varies greatly. I am a yoga teacher and, for instance, on Wednesdays I teach Yoga from 9 am to 9 pm, some classes at a high level. On Fridays though I do no teaching and usually spend the day doing admin, lesson planning, paying bills, shopping, cleaning, cooking, gardening etc, so much lower energy output.

I trust my endocrinologist as I am much, much better now, I have lost extra weight I was carrying though eating well and many other symptoms have vanished.

Hope that's helpful, and, I can see the reasoning of Grey Goose's reply if you have sufficient T3 circulating, but, if there is insufficient there won't be any available in the blood passing the receptors.

[Coachgeorge in reply to thyr01d]

So great you are doing well. I need to hear from folks that are managing this disease and living life!!

[Dressagelovr in reply to thyr01d]

Have you had a TT?

[thyr01d in reply to Dressagelovr]

No TT Dressagelovr, but my TSH was >95 and the endocrinologist said that indicates my thyroid is not producing anything except that, since I was not in a coma, it must have been producing a tiny amount. But perhaps you were not asking me? The message came to me but I think you were probably asking Coachgeorge.

[Dressagelovr in reply to thyr01d]

I was asking you.

[Dressagelovr in reply to Dressagelovr]

My endo told me I cud add a small amount (5 mg) T3 when I was in an athletic event each day of the 3 day competition.

[Coachgeorge in reply to Dressagelovr]

Sorry, I thought you were asking me

[Dressagelovr in reply to thyr01d]

Havevyou had a TT?

[Coachgeorge in reply to Dressagelovr]

No

[Poniesrfun]

I expect having had a total thyroidectomy might make a difference and I can’t speak for anyone who may still have some thyroid function.

I do take additional T3 at times. I believe a normal healthy thyroid responds with additional T4 and, to a lesser amount, T3 on a supply/demand basis. And while I don’t tolerate a higher level of T4 (causing problematic cardiac symptoms) I do well with small amounts of additional T3 on an “as needed” basis (my daily base is 2.5 grains of NatureThroid). If I take additional T3 when not needed I do get some temporary signs of overmedication (palpitations).

Because it can “boost” energy and metabolism, T3 has the potential to be abused, and is abused at times by athletes and for weight loss.

T3, and NDT because it contains T3, should be added slowly taking care to note how one responds. I felt that Paul Robinson’s book on T3 was helpful in learning how to adjust T3 doses - including amounts to increase, timing, circadian rhythm, etc. - even if you are doing a T4-T3 combo.

Patti In AZ

[Coachgeorge in reply to Poniesrfun]

Several folks recommended his book. I think it’s worth the investment. Thanks for sharing

[weezles]

I once saw an article that discussed how the body uses more t3 when exercising close to vo2 max (at your limit) but not so when doing moderate exercise. I tried to find it again to no avail.

I find if I do exercise hard I can be floored for a few days afterwards. I now try to manage exercise by ensuring I have rest days between runs and eating properly to fuel it. There was a period where i tried taking a little extra t3 and it did seem to help a little. I now only do this if I do a hillwalk where I might have strenuous walking for 8 hours or so. It can still floor me for a few days though.

This is an interesting article which looks at the various ways exercise impacts on those who are hypo

bit.ly/31IEKmQ

[Coachgeorge in reply to weezles]

I book marked the article for reading tonight. Thank you