Struggling again

[Lorwri-1]

I’ve been slowly increasing Cynomel since I started it in early December, I’m now in 25mcg as prescribed by my endocrinologist. I have been feeling better and I can say I was feeling relatively good for around one week. I’m a cyclist and I’ve been very carefully increasing my cycling. On Thursday my ride was a bit tougher than expected as it was very windy. I’ve been exhausted since and now struggling.

Is it ok to take a bit more T3 at times like this?

I have been thinking I needed a bit more T3 but thought I’d wait for the blood test and endo appointment. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you

[Lalatoot]

It takes six weeks for a change in dose to stabilise so I wouldn't change things till you get bloods done on your current dose. I wonder how you introduced the T3. The advice from many users is to introduce T3 in 5mg doses with 2 weeks between each dose. You seem to have built up to 25 quite quickly. Maybe your body needs time to catch up.

Was your levo reduced at the same time? It might be that any reduction in levo is now being felt.

When I introduced T3 I felt great like you for a brief spell but then the reduction of levo hit and cancelled out the benefits of the T3 almost. It might be that you too need more T4 .

[Lorwri-1 in reply to Lalatoot]

Thanks Lalatoot.

I did increase Cynomel slowly. I introduced the last quarter just a few days ago. I have a blood test on the 14th and dr appointment on 22nd.

I was feeling relatively good until Thursday, I’m recovered a bit more today. I think Thursdays bike ride was too hard and wiped me out.

I wanted to know for the future would it be ok to take a bit more when more energy is being used.

I suppose I should wait anyway to see how my levels look.

[Jazzw]

Is that all you’re taking? Are you taking any levothyroxine?

Because 25mcg of liothyronine isn’t a replacement dose, I wouldn’t have said.

[Lorwri-1 in reply to Jazzw]

I’m taking 100 Levothyroxine reduced from 125

[endomad]

Exercise depletes my t3 faster than anything else, if i do anything extra during my day my energy runs out sooner, i often add extra t3 on busy days but can only do it once or twice a week or i crash and it can take me days to recover. Unfortunately the 'spoons theory' applies to me. If i want to go out with friends i rest most the day to save energy for it, i have to prioritise my energy as it is deff limited since my thyroid was removed. The difficulty for me is finding my balance where i am active but also feel good, i do not want to push myself at the expense of feeling good. It is all a balancing act, trial and error and tbh only you can work out what works for you. You need to be aware of your pulse and temps several times a day to monitor your dose on t3.

[Lorwri-1]

Thanks endomad.

I suppose I still have lots to learn. I had a glimpse of being well and I think I blew it by doing too much too soon.

[Lalatoot in reply to Lorwri-1]

I think that is exactly it.

[LAHs]

Until recently I used to ride my bike at least every other day and yes indeed it can deplete your T3. You can increase your dose a little bit, I am not sure wether one should increase it before you exercise or after, you will have to experiment with that. The important thing you have to watch is your blood pressure, T3 can cause this to go up sharply in some people (I am one of them). I took my extra T3 before my ride one day and realized that was a bad idea (BP shot up, I felt absolutely twitchy). You may have entered into yet another balancing act, I have to settle for a little less T3 than I would like because one cannot drive up one's BP.