Overmedicated on Tiromel

[Starlight1976]

Hello,

I am on 100mcg of Levothyroxine and 12.5mcg of T3.

My blood results are

TSH 0.086 (0.3-4.5)

FT3 4.51 (1.5-4.2)

I don't have any ill effects, my BP is normal and my pulse is around 68.

Based on these results do you think I should drop my T3 back down to 1/4 a tablet i.e 6.25mcg?

I am self-medicating, I introduced T3 as although my results were ok at 100mcg, I still didn't feel well, with dry skin and low body temperature. This has improved since introducing T3 but probably taking too much now.

I tried a 6.25mcg of T3 first, felt no ill effects after 6 weeks then raised (I didn't test blood at this point) then 6 weeks on 1.2 a tablet.

Any input would be much appreciated. Many thanks x

[shaws Administrator]

I think you've answered your own question i.e. you have an improvement.

.

I am not medically qualified but as you are taking both levo and T3, your T3 will look higher i.e. levothyroxine converts to T3 plus your additional T3. I would just concentrate on your clinical symptoms and are they being relieved.

The following link may be helpful and this doctor only took one blood test for the initial diagnosis and thereafter it was all about how the patient 'felt' on doses and once symptoms resolved that was the aim.

naturalthyroidsolutions.com...

[DippyDame]

We really need an FT3 result plus ref range in order to get a better idea of what is going on.

Your FT4 is high but without an FT3 result it's not clear if this is the result of too much LT4 or poor conversion.

The additional T3 will raise your FT3 level....but without a result it becomes a guessing game

[Starlight1976 in reply to DippyDame]

The result on there is FT3 not FT4.

[DippyDame in reply to Starlight1976]

Well I botched that one...sorry,

so used to seeing FT4 results only!

I still think it best to have both frees tested when on T4/T3 combo it gives a better picture of things.

On T3 only an FT3 test is all that you need.....some people (myself included) dose by symptoms rather than tests when on T3 only . I don"t think you are at that stage!

You are currently overmedicated with T3

Do you have labs from tests just before you added T3.

Results "in range' are not good enough!

I assume you mean half a T3 tablet (not 1.2)

I assume 100mcg LT4 was a long time dose before you added T3.

Did you try increasing the LT4 dose? We can't tell if your FT4 was low before you added T3 without labs.

Are folate, ferritin Vit D and Vit B12 levels optimal to ensure good thyroid function.

Whether you need to reduce either your T3 or your T4 may be clearer with a full panel test.

Adding T3 may not be what you require.

[Starlight1976 in reply to DippyDame]

I didn't bother getting the FT4 done as was toldi mainly need to look at FT3 when taking Tiromel.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Starlight1976]

I agree that testing FT4 would be useful too. If your FT4 is quite high in range, then a reduction in Levo would not only reduce your FT4 but could - depending on how much natural conversion you still have - also reduce your FT3.

I take a combination of Levo and T3 and it took many, many months of tweaking doses to find what suited me best and reducing Levo did affect my FT3 result to a certain extent.

[greygoose]

Unless you feel over-medicated, I really wouldn't reduce your dose if I were you. Some people need their FT3 slightly over-range. Ranges are man-made, not god-given, so there there's plenty of room for error. And you really shouldn't take too much notice of them when taking T3, they're just a rough guide. Reducing your dose could make you feel bad again.

[Starlight1976 in reply to greygoose]

I think I may be one of those people and I think that is the reason why I didn't feel well when on T4 only even though my TSH was around 1, I was converting well and my T4 and T3 were pretty good.

[greygoose in reply to Starlight1976]

Sounds like you probably are.

[Hidden]

"I don't have any ill effects, my BP is normal and my pulse is around 68."

Haven't read the comments yet but my first reaction is: What makes you think you are taking too much then? You have your own answer quoted above!

[Starlight1976]

I guess I'm really look for reassurance that I'm not doing myself any harm being overmedicated (even though I don't feel I am).