Ever increasing T3?

[Murphysmum]

Brief background (because I’ve posted quite a lot!): started levo/T3 combo at 10/125mcg in March this year. Fab. All symptoms gone.... for about 6 weeks.

I’m finding I need to increase by 5mcg every 5/6 weeks. I’ve tried sticking at one dose for longer but symptoms increase again.

Recently when in holiday in the far east I had a real slump. Very jelly legged, muscle weakness was at an all time high, vertigo bad - not great at all. This was despite making sure I was drinking lots, keeping sodium levels good etc. Increased T3 by 5mcg and a few days later I’m improved.

However. In the past I have felt great - a real spring in my step, motivation great, no symptoms at all. Now on 40/150mcg, I’m still finding the muscle weakness is better but not great and I feel like exercise is an effort again.

I’m confused. I’ve increased my levo because I’m certain it’s dropped too low (last bloods here: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... but have I missed my sweet spot?

I’m terrified of lowering my T3 because I feel awful if I try. Does this mean I need more or do I need to go through that to find out if I’ve gone too high?

Anyone else found this? Help, not sure which way to turn now!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

What are your nutrient levels like - Vit D, B12, Folate, Ferritin?

[Murphysmum in reply to SeasideSusie]

They were all good at the last check - ferritin was a wee bit below ideal but I’ve been continuing to supplement so they should all be optimal now.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Murphysmum]

Looking at your last test results then from 2 months ago, I would have said that if those were my results (I take Levo plus T3 and took many, many months of tweaking doses of both), the balance would be wrong. The FT4 would be way too low for me. Some of us need a good level of FT4 to go with our FT3, some can feel well with a lowish FT4 and a good level of FT3. If it was me, I'd retest to check my levels now - I'd do a Thyroid ULTRAVIT just to make sure my nutrients are still optimal - and if my FT4/FT3 are similar to last time then I'd increase my Levo to get my FT4 higher in range, and that may mean reducing T3 dose slightly as well.

[Murphysmum in reply to SeasideSusie]

I was wondering this. Thanks susie.

So because I was desperate to feel better while we were away (we were on a busy itinerary organised by the people who invited us), I increased my T3 but since returning I’ve increased my levo too.

I’ll do bloods but should I decrease the T3 again? I know it takes 6 weeks or so for levo to change.... do I wait a few weeks and then reduce?

I know my ever increasing T3 will have pushed the T4 down and I still felt fine at my last bloods but noticed it was lower. Hence increasing last week.

Sheesh... I’m so confused now! Thought I was doing well and had it sussed up until recently! 🙈

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Murphysmum]

I think seeing as you've increased your Levo, I'd now wait until 6 weeks has passed and retest then. I know it probably means feeling pretty rough in the meantime, but you need levels to settle properly to get an accurate result.

[Murphysmum in reply to SeasideSusie]

So reduce the T3 again?

I feel ok (just a bit sluggish) but don’t relish the idea of reducing!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Murphysmum]

No, I wouldn't change anything. Wait the 6 weeks from your Levo increase, retest, see what your levels are, decide on what to change at that time.