How to take T3

[Agapanthus1]

Hi

I started T3 about 10'weeks ago. I have since read on here that I have been given poor guidance about how to take it and that it should be started off at 5mcg and increased gradually.

Is that 5mcg in a divided dose, or just once a day?

Thanks

[Lalatoot]

Some people start 5mcg once a day; others start 5mcg twice a day. I started 5mcg once a day for a week then increased it to twice a day. Then every 2 weeks increased by another 5mcg per day till I reached 20mcg. Then wait 6 weeks for blood test.

[Agapanthus1 in reply to Lalatoot]

Thanks. Are you feeling any better on it now?

[Lalatoot in reply to Agapanthus1]

Early days for me. I felt really on the up last week - week three of full lio dose - but week 4 symptoms are creeping back. The endo cut my levo by too much I think when she added the T3 so I expected this. My ft4 was only 60% through range so I would have added T3 to my 100mcg levo or at worst cut it to 75 mcg but she cut it to 50mcg. Had to comply as this was done in a letter so couldn't argue - didn't have the levo supplies to do anything else either. 2 weeks until my 6 week bloods so will see what that reveals. So annoying to have symptoms creeping back though when you have waved them a cheery goodbye!!

[greygoose]

Whether or not you split any dose of T3 depends entirely on the individual. Some people need to take it all in one go. Others feel better if they split it. But, splitting 5 mcg seems a bit pointless. It's such a tiny dose.

[Agapanthus1 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks GG. I am going to put another post which better explains things. 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to greygoose]

I started on 2 x 1/8th tablet of 25mcg uni Pharma ....yes it was a speck of dust. But it was still a noticeable whoosh

[greygoose in reply to SlowDragon]

Well, we're all different. But, you might have got more of a whoosh if you'd taken 2/8th tablet all at once.

[McPammy]

Some people need less some need more. I only take 5mcg T3 twice a day. With this I reach the top of the range. And my TSH is less than 1.00. Any more and I go over range and quickly start to feel over medicated. Same with Levothyroxine. I only need 75mcg to reach the top of the range.

Others may need more thyroxine medication to get to top of ranges and for their TSH to be optimal.

So it all depends on the individual and how their personal endocrine system works for them.

I’d be careful going up with T3 as it’s very powerful.