How much difference does t3 make to quality of life?

[Simba145]

..

[Greekchick]

Immeasurable! Since I don’t convert, I was not functioning at all on T4 alone. T3 is my happy pill and I am getting back to normal - not optimally dosed but on my way! I could not live without it. My brain does not function without T3, I have terrible brain fog, I am anxious and weepy. I want to sit in a chair all day. There is no way to describe how I felt the first time I took a dose. It was as if the lights were turned in on a room that was dark. That’s the only way I could describe it.

[Carna in reply to Greekchick]

I could have written that! So pleased to read how much better you are on T3. I am new to T3. Started on 2 x 5mcg per day with 125mcg of Levo at beginning of June after seeing private Endo and weeping as I tried to tell her what was going on with me. It was 2.30pm and a terrible time for me as I would normally have been having an afternoon sleep! I never mentioned T3. She gently put her hand on my arm as I struggled to put a sentence together and just said 'we need to start you on T3'. I have since had a 5mcg increase and not quite there but so so much better. The fog has cleared although I still struggle with focusing sometimes. The weight has stopped piling on - not much has come off but hopeful it will. I have started doing an exercise programme most days and I feel and look better if not lighter! My husband is grateful to get his wife back!

T3 may not be the answer for everyone but it has changed my life for the better and I can look forward to my future now.

[Greekchick in reply to Carna]

So glad to hear you are doing better! I was increased to 15 mcg plus I was increased to 75 levo just a week ago - too soon to see anything yet but fingers crossed! I soak up T3 like a sponge and my endo said when he increased the T3 that I would likely need more. Wishing you well and hope you continue to improve.

[Helcatamy]

Gave me my life back. Levo took it away and t3 gave it back. On levo I wanted to die, massive anxiety about everything and dreadful depression, gained weight just breathing, pains and untold other symptoms; on t3 I am able to live again, think again, travel and have fun again. Still do get a little more tired when staying up very late and still find it harder than I used to to lose weight but I’m not gaining.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

It would be very much appreciated if you actually posted something. Two dots to overcome the check on contents doesn't really count.

Subject lines (titles) are just that. Something to identify what the post is about.

[dolphin5]

The impact of T3 will depend on whether you actually lack T3, and the extent of your deficit.

If you have way too little, and have been in this state for a long time, the impact will be enormous and highly positive - probably life-saving!

However, at the other end of the continuum, if you don’t really need it, the impact would probably be negative and potentially harmful.

So, it’s very important to be sure that you lack T3 before taking it.

[jgelliss in reply to dolphin5]

I couldn't agree with you more . Too much of a good thing is *Not* good and very harmful as you stated .

[McPammy]

I believe taking T3 for me has been life saving. On T4 alone I ended up really struggling. Prescribed drugs I didn’t need like antibiotics for skin for 11 years and meloxicam for joint pains for 11 years. I was still hypothyroid as my T3 was so poor. The GP never checked T3. Hospitalised 3 times. Constantly collapsing. Could barely walk. Left abandoned by the NHS. Went private. Very poor conversion T4 to T3. Positive DIO2 gene test result. Got T3 medication and it was a miracle for me. Couldn’t walk 10 steps then on T3 and walking 10 miles!! Not having T3 effected my adrenals too. Once starting my cortisol bounced back.

It really has been a life saver. As not long been on T3 I’m still adjusting to get the dosage exact for me. I’m having trouble if I have to change brand.

[MissGrace]

The simple answer to your question is: T3 is life. Whether your thyroid works properly, whether you convert from synthetic T4, take a combo of meds, NDT or T3 alone, it is life. We can’t function without it. And having enough to function properly (not too much), is the healthy status we seek. 🤸🏿‍♀️🥛

[Aurealis]

100%

[Angelic69]

T3 is a game changer. I get to be active everyday and recovery from exertion is massively reduced.

[Hidden]

Really up and down to start with and takes a while to sort out the dose. I'm not 100% well but nearly nine months on a T3 and levo combo I have much less muscle pain, not dizzy, much reduced tinitus, less constipation, lost 4kg without trying, periods with much less fatigue. So for me it's a bit up and down and took a while but such major improvement in quality of life.

Michael

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

It depends whether you need it or whether you are just undermedicated on Levo and/or have nutrient deficiencies.

Why not test and post full thyroid/vitamin results as has previously been suggested to you and you haven't yet done.

You may or may not need T3, what is does for other people is totally irrelevant. Find out if you need it.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Very wise advice I think

[Simba145 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I’m having the tests done very soon and I’ll post the results in the chat! Just trying to gain honest information because you know how long this stuff takes and I’m not patient so I’m just exploring options!

[SilverAvocado]

Simba145, it's a common misconception among people feeling unwell on their thyroid hormone that T3 is a magical pill that will immediately solve all their problems and make them feel better.

The real thing that will make you feel better is being on the correct dosage for you personally. The most common problem for people taking Levothyroxine /Synthroid/T4 who don't feel well is that their dose is not correct, usually they are on too little. Many people are capable of feeling well on T4 alone and don't need to go through the hassle of fighting to get T3.

I agree with Helvella, it's courteous to write a message.

[DGHT]

It made such a difference to my life. I had two years were I was so unwell and no amount of altering Levothyroxine dose was giving any relief. This was before I found the forum and began my learning about my condition, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I do not know if I was a poor conveter of T4 to T3 as my FT3 was never tested and I didn't start having my blood tests done privately by Medichecks till after I started T3. I cannot afford the genetic test for DIO2 at present but may have it in the future.

I was under the care of Endocrinology due to Addison's Antibodies and he reluctantly agreed to switch me to T3 and it took around 2 months to notice a significant benefit. I would say that it has given me back a good part of my health. The scary weight gain, low mood, awful nails and hair, practically zero energy to drag my self out of bed, devastating brain fog and chronic pain started to lift.

Chronic pain and fatigue resumed if I went above and beyond regular day to day activities but going Gluten Free, Lactofree and starting supplements including Selenium 200mcg in recent months has massively helped with this and I have been able to complete mountain walks and bike rides this summer which were but pipe dreams this time last year! It is nice to feel regular muscle pain instead of the chronic fatigue, pain and stiffness I was used for days after from even going a bit of a walk with my family.

I am deficient in a number of nutrients that I need to work on now.

I had to fight with my Endocrinologist for months to get my T3 medication to a dose I feel is good for me at present. I am still overweight but stopped putting on weight when I reached the right dose for me. Trying to lose it is still proving very difficult!

T3 not a magic pill but it definitely plays a significant role in my current state of wellness.

[Simba145 in reply to DGHT]

Thank you for your message, giving me a lot to think about

[Miffie]

That totally depends on whether you need it. There is so much hype about it that many people think if they take it everything will be perfect. It is not a magic cure all. I have seen many posts on other forums clearly indicating a lack of knowledge about thyroid health and why so many people “need” T3. You appear not to have entered details of you query. Just a title. To get a full response you really need to give members more idea of what your question is. Up to date blood tests are beneficial.

[jgelliss]

Where do I begin ??? I can *Only* speak from my own personal experience. I had TT and was dosed with high T4 only, for suppression purposes. I later learned that T3 is a great TSH suppresser without needing high doses of T4 . Un beknown to me why I was experiencing so many symptoms . Palpitations , insomnia , heat/cold intolerant , weight issues , high BP, unmotivated, lack of energy, anxiety , panic attaches , lower back pain , head aches/head pressure, jaundice , consequently developing fatty liver (Nash), brain fog , cold hands/feet , digestive issues, fatigue, crying spells for no reason .

Dr's will have you believe that T4 is supposed to convert to T3 I can tell you that I don't convert well and many more don't either. There are many that do convert well with no problems . Nutrients are very important here too . They help thyroid meds work better and help with conversions . Healthy thyroids make both T3 and T4 . My thyroids now come from a bottle . I now manually dose with NDT for my T3 mix with my T4. It has made a *HUGE* difference in my life and many others too .

I must also add that just because T3/NDT is so beneficial for many of us to much of a good thing can also work against us too . I would suggest journaling your symptoms and cross refence with labs . Symptoms are cellular results . While labs are snap shots of the moment it also depends on how many hours apart your last thyroid dosing was before the lab draw .

Best Wishes .

[LAHs]

For me it was life or death and it all changed in 20 minutes. If you get the chance to get on it, run don't walk to your doc. and if he will not do it for you, get it yourself.

[Beverleyb]

Life changing for me when I started t3..I started to go out with my husband again after 17 years of no life...such wasted years.