Bowel movements on T3

[SurdoQueen]

I hope this isn't to much information. Eeek! So, having been diagnosed with Hashimotos for about 13 years and I have had slowly increasing issues with my bowel to the point that I can have a BM up to 6 or 7 times a day and it's always explosive. I thought I had IBS even though the hypothyroid symptom is supposed to be constipation. As I'd understood it T3 can cause more frequent, looser BMs, so you can imagine how worried I was about taking T3 as I was already not having a great time in the BM department! Since starting T3 two weeks ago I only have a BM 1-2 times a day and it's what I'd call a normal firmness. Surprised, not half!

The change in BMs has been marked, along with the effect on my mood, emotions and depression. I just wish my muscle aches, weakness and tiredness would hurry up and improve, although I understand now, thanks to Slow Dragon answering an earlier post that this can be due to gluten sensitivity, I have a home test arriving today. Anyhoo, has anyone else experienced a change like this in BM?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Interesting.

Gut function obviously improving with adding T3

When hypothyroid we often have low stomach acid, poor gut function and bloating

Similarly, regarding sleep......opposite effect is often result when T3 is added. Most medics tend to think T3 will keep patients awake and wired.....yet frequently we find taking small dose T3 before bed gives wonderful refreshing sleep

[SurdoQueen in reply to SlowDragon]

Hmm... I might take tomorrows second dose at bedtime, or possibly split my afternoon dose so I'm taking 5mcg at bedtime. My sleep is awful I wake every 45 mins to an hour and take ages to get back to sleep.

[NWA6 in reply to SurdoQueen]

I second what Slowdragon said. I had terrible insomnia before I started t3. Now I sleep like baby 💤

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to SurdoQueen]

A small 5mcg dose before bed can work wonders.

But everyone is different, doesn't suit all.

I take 20mcg daily

10mcg at 7am, 5mcg at 3pm and 5mcg at 11pm

3 equal 8 hour gaps between doses

[NWA6]

Sorry I had the opposite. Slow bowels before starting T3 and then normal/easy. But it makes sense that T3 would help regulate either way 🤗

[Baobabs]

No but I so wished I had!

[SurdoQueen in reply to Baobabs]

Just goes to show how different we all are. We just have to keep on exploring and trying things until we find what works. I've been making my own Kombucha tea and water kefir for the last 8 months with the aim of improving my gut health, it did help a bit but the T3 has been phenomenal. I hope you find a solution.

[SurdoQueen]

Tried to carry out the home gluten test and I just didn't bleed enough to even produce half the required amount for the test. Poop! Don't know whether to try again or just go for the full test with bloods drawn by a nurse.

[DIYqueen]

Some good advice on here - can't remember who - was, once lancet is in skin, to twist it ever so slightly to widen hole. I walk up and down stairs a few times to get heart pumping (or you could march on spot if that is too much). Wash hands and wrists in warmest water you can stand. Place blood tube at height where you can stand with arm straight down so gravity helps (eg low table or ironing board). I used Medichecks for a test and they sent more than one lancet so I tried different fingers till I found the best bleeder. For me it is my pinky.