T3 Only back to T4 : Journey from T3 Only back to... - Thyroid UK

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T3 Only back to T4

Sami-M profile image
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Journey from T3 Only back to T4, over last 4 months following advice that I’d never given T4 a chance to work long enough at a high enough dose, @SlowDragon @Aurealis

Link to previous post:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Dosage changes in 2019 below.

29 June: 31.25 T3 Only

30 June: 25 T3 + 25 T4

5 Aug : 18.75 T3 + 50 T4

5 Sep : 12.5 T3 + 75 T4

1 Oct : 6.25 T3 + 100 T4

In summary, since end of June, I’ve reduced T3 from 31.25 down to 6.25. And at the same time added T4 and now at dosage of 100.

Unfortunately due to work & travel, I’ve only just been able to take blood tests now. Results below:

18 October 2019 Results

FT3 3.25 (1.7 - 3.8)

FT4 11 (7 - 14.8)

TSH 0.005 (0.35 - 4.94)

(Tests taken: Fasting, in morning, last T4 24hrs prior, last T3 10 hrs prior, No biotin for 5 days)

Vit B, Vit D, Folate, Ferritin were all heading towards or in optimal range in June.

Thank you @SeasideSusie for the link, calculating the percentages through the range: chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

FT3: 74 %

FT4: 51 %

June symptoms were hunger pangs, exhaustion, palpitations, mood swings, increasing weight. Generally all have improved, over the last four months. I’ve experienced better energy levels, lost considerable weight for the first time since being diagnosed with hashimoto’s in Sep 2018. I’ve reduced gluten and almost cutout sugar, have a good diet and walk an hour a day.

Now over the the last 2-3 weeks, I’ve hit that exhaustion, low energy, aches & pains, palpitations, bloating & insomnia again. And now I’m really confused as results seem to be heading in the right direction ?

I’d be very thankful & grateful for any advice please.

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Sami-M
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Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot

Some manage with lowered ft4 and others need it higher. Both results at 70% or higher through range. So maybe an increase in t4 a lightly to see how it goes. You have done really well so far. I am sure you will find the optimal spot for you.

Sami-M profile image
Sami-M in reply to Lalatoot

Thank you for the encouraging support Lalatoot. Finally off T3 !

Results seem optimal but my symptoms tell another story. I’m posting a new post with results. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Happy Holidays & Best Wishes.

May I ask why you changed back to T4 from T3, you've done very well. Did you do this alone, no endocrinologist. Very good. I'm on T3 only at 62.50 mcg for 3 years. I have been on levothyroxine in past but was held under medicated by gp / endocrinologist for 11 years and had Untreated aneamia and untreated perncious aneamia so never did well on levothyroxine I was kept ill. Saying that all my vits and minerals are excellent now and my Pernicious anaemia treated. I'd like to go give levothyroxine another try with perhaps a tiny dose of T3 6.25 mcg. I've been advised by my gp to go back to endocrinologist the one that nearly killed me long story, but I'm not going. Very pleased for all you've done with swapping over. On this site you mainly only hear about T3.

Sami-M profile image
Sami-M in reply to

Happy New Year and a very warm welcome to this life saving forum Elizajoe.

I was diagnosed with Hashi in Sep 2018 and came across an unscrupulous functional doctor in S.E. Asia who claimed I needed to be on T3. I had many consultations and realised he was simply a compounding pharmacy trying to flog T3, but that’s a long story. He also was not an endocrinologist, not that seeing a real one would have produced any better results!

In my particular case, I learnt from the admin here and other forum members that I had not given Levothyroxine a chance to work. I had been on a very insignificant dose of 25mcg. I initially started out on Levo 25mcg (for less than 2 months) prescribed by a hospital whilst travelling and then started with the so called functional med doctor on T3 only.

In effect I had never known whether levothyroxine could ever have worked. Most people do recover on Levothyroxine. Hence, I made the very gradual change from T3 to T4 only. (With each six weekly dosage drop of T3 6.25mcg, I introduced 25mcg Levo). Now my results appear to be heading into optimal. The bodily and psychological changes along the way have been difficult at times, but I’m feeling the success of having had the support and advice of this forum. Perhaps check the solid advice given to me by SlowDragon, Greygoose, Lalatoot and others. Yes, I’m self treating, no endocrinologist.

If your nutrients/minerals are now optimal, excellent, well done indeed, then would be wise to offer your latest blood tests, with the ranges here, so more experienced members here can also offer advice. Tests to include, FT3, FT4, TSH, Folate, Iron deficiency panel, Ferritin, B12, Vit D, Antibodies TPO & TBG.

Once FT4 is where you need it to be at, in the top quarter or 70% through the range, only then will you know whether you need to add any T3 and not before. If you need any help at all with the transition or anything else, please feel free, anytime. Wishing you the best.

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