T3 timings and sleep disturbance

[Agapanthus1]

I started T3 about 6 weeks ago. Endo advised 5mcg 3 times a day. However, full dose felt like too much of a shock to the system, so I have gradually increased it. I felt the night time dose was interfering with my sleep, so I tried taking it twice a day at 7am and 7pm. This seemed to help-when I was on 7.5mcg and 5 mcg, I was sleeping 8-9 hrs.

After 2 weeks on the above dose, I have now increased to 10 mcg and 5mcg. For the first 2 days on this I felt fantastic, but now my sleep has become very interrupted again. For eg,last night I didn’t go to sleep until 4pm, had to wake at 7am to take T4 & T3, fell asleep again at 9am, woke up at 11.30am. It is driving me nuts! I don’t feel over-medicated but am getting night sweats, hot flushes, joint and muscle pain, and my dry eyes feel more dry again. What on earth is going on?? Should I revert to taking it 3 times a day, or split the dose more evenly? Or is it possible to take the full dose just once a day? Advice very welcome.

[Aurealis]

You may find it better to take your second dose earlier, perhaps before 5pm. Or alternatively take it immediately before bedtime. Good luck

[Agapanthus1 in reply to Aurealis]

Thanks, i didn’t know you could do that. I have a lot to learn about T3! 😊

[greygoose]

You take T3 when it suits you best. Obviously, you haven't found what suits you best, yet. So, keep trying different times. Personally, I take all mine in one go when I get up in the morning. That suits me best both practically and hormonally. But, we're all different.

[Agapanthus1 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you, I wasn’t sure if you could take just one dose but my sense is that might work for me, so will give it a try. If on a single dose, when is the best time for a blood test (I am on T3/T4 combi)?

[greygoose in reply to Agapanthus1]

You need to be on a steady dose for six weeks before testing, whether you're on T4 or T3. So, six weeks from the time you started the 15 mcg your endo prescribed.

[Agapanthus1 in reply to greygoose]

Yes, sorry, I’m not explaining myself well. I meant if I take the whole dose of T3 in morning what time of day do I get the blood test done after the last dose? Thanks

[greygoose in reply to Agapanthus1]

Ah, well, that depends on how important the TSH is to you - or your doctor. TSH is highest early morning, and drops throughout the day, which is why we always say to get blood taken early morning. But, if TSH is of no importance, you can do it any time you like, as long as it's 8 to 12 hours after your last dose of T3. But, T3 also is highest early morning, and drops throughout the day, but there's not such a marked difference as there is with TSH.

[Agapanthus1 in reply to greygoose]

I learn so much from you, GG. Thanks so much 😊

[greygoose in reply to Agapanthus1]

You're welcome.