I was feeling overmedicated when I upped my t3 from 17.5 to 20 with 112 Levo.
Little history: previously was unable to raise my t3 above 10mcg + with 125 Levo. Had to decrease Levo to 112 (started to get underdosed symptoms), but gradually started adding 2.5 mcg t3 every 10-14 days January and February.
Beginning of February decided to up my t3 from 17.5 to 20 mcg, after over 10 days I get terrible symptoms of overmedication. Reduced to 17.5 about 3 days ago, but was due tests today, so decided to go anyways, which I know it's not going to be tip top, but my tsh being suppressed at all time I don't get a lot of fluctuations of tsh to t4 to t3.
Tsh 0.01 (not bothered about it as always)
Ft4 17.2 (12-22) 52%
Ft3 5.3 (3.1-6.8) 60%
Labs previously on same dose, 112+17.5 but did hold it longer:
Ft4 16.8 (12-22) 48%
Ft3 5.7 (3.1-6.8) 70%
As I said above, tried adding 2.5 t3 to this dose and was feeling overmedicated, jumpy, irritable, twitchy, hot, insomnia etc.
I see these options: add 6.25 t4, so add 12.5 t4 every second day (can't split pill that small), go for 12.5 t4 (but bear in mind that I couldn't increase t3 above 10 on 125 t4 previously, even though my t3 was under mid range) or just leave as is or potentially add t3 in a few?
I was feeling overmedicated when I upped my t3 from 17.5 to 20 with 112 Levo.
One has to ask, if you felt over-medicated, why did you increase your T3?
Reduced to 17.5 about 3 days ago, but was due tests today, so decided to go anyways, which I know it's not going to be tip top, but my tsh being suppressed at all time I don't get a lot of fluctuations of tsh to t4 to t3.
TSH is irrelevant when taking T3, anyway, so that was not a consideration. But, if you'd reduced your T3 three days before the blood draw, you were not going to get an accurate reading of your FT3, which is the most important number.
I see these options: add 6.25 t4
Why? You're already feeling over-medicated, why would you want to add more hormone? What you really need is a good six weeks on one steady dose, and then retest. Then you will really know where you are.
or just leave as is or potentially add t3 in a few?
A few what? If you're suggesting taking alternate days of 17.75/20 mcg, then that is not going to work. With T3, you need to take the same dose every single day. And, you need to do that for the next 6 weeks without anymore chopping and changing. There has been far too much chopping and changing as it is, recently. Your body needs a bit of stability to get used to what you're taking. Just leave your dose as it is, for now, because, for the life of me, I cannot understand why you want to increase if you feel over-medicated. It's not the blood test numbers that are the most important, it's how you feel.
This test was done after 24 hrs so adding 20% to it, will be over 70% of range or even higher if you look at my other blood results on the same dose, which I was holding for longer - 85% of dose.
There is no guarantee that this adding 20% business has any scientific basis. And, even if it did, it's doubtful that that would work for everyone, because human bodies are rarely that accurate. Why did you leave a gap of 24 hours? I think you've really got yourself in a bit of a tangle, now, which is difficult to undo. Best to give it six weeks on this same dose, then retest leaving 12 hours maximum - 8 hours minimum - between your last dose of T3 and the blood draw - 24 hours for levo. Then, asses how you feel and react accordingly. You don't have to be on any given dose, nor have your FT3 result in any one given place, you have to do what's right for you.
Thank you GG, I only felt overmedicated 10-14 days in on 20 mcg. I think the 17.5 dose hasn't kicked in at that point so I rushed it. My Endo wanted me to work up to 20 so I was increasing by 2.5 every couple of weeks.
Thank you, you are totally right, I need to hold it at that point for 6-8 weeks to get a better picture
May I just ask you, is this normal that I have reduced my dose 4 days ago, and now I'm fluctuating, feeling both hyper and hypo and that needs to settle basically? Thank you
I definitely do I'm one of the worst for impatience, I don't know how everyone else does it, holding doses for longer, especially when they don't feel great.
I don't know how others do it. Personally, I'm a very patient person, so never had any problems with that aspect. It's something you need to work on, because being impatient can definitely make things worse.
It certainly does. You don't know what's what. But if I wanted to go exactly how my Endo wanted, I'd be on 30 t3 in a week and very poorly. So at least increasing by 2.5 weeks for a month and a half is better lol but now holding, promise to my poor body
The majority of endos have no idea how to dose T3. They are totally unrealistic, and appear to get confused between T3 and T4! Best to follow the advice given on here.
He really doesn't like t4, even though I tolerate it well enough it seems. He wants it well, he thinks I'll be very well on a big dose of t3, he keeps calling 20 mcg dose a small dose
Well, 20 mcg is a small dose for some people - it would be for me. But, the treatment should be adapted to the person. And, even if 20 mcg were a small dose for you, it shouldn't be arrived at so quickly. It's certainly not a starter dose! Don't let him push you into going too fast or too far. It's not him that has to suffer the consequences!
I know, right? I am happy with him as he recognises I need t3, but like you said, if I increased so fast, I'd be flying like on a red bull. And more than likely would be overdosed.
Exactly, it's relative what small is. I still take 112 of Levo so altogether it's not the smallest dose, but of course people take more as well.
Yeah he doesn't believe in just upping by 2.5 every couple of weeks or even months like I've done before. Once he wanted me to move to 40 mcg of t3 from 2.5-3 grains of NDT. I got scared of him at the time lol 😂
Hey Batty, I've been only on it for a month, so it's hard to say. I still have a lot of symptoms, but I am aware that this could take a good while to improve.
It takes 6-8weeks and then you must retest. If your feeling ok just leave everything alone and retest. I'm sure greygoose will reply and have better advice.
Thanks Batty. This test was done after 24 hrs so adding 20% to it, will be over 70% of range or even higher if you look at my other blood results on the same dose, which I was holding for longer - 85% of dose. I started to increase my t3 from 10 to 20 mcg over January and February, and I'm thinking that maybe I have gone too far and could be better with slightly lower level of t3.
I wish I didn't stink at math...lol. My moto is if it's not broke don't fix it and this rule follows me with thyroid disease the more you mess with dosing the more messed up your numbers become....if it were me I would retest after staying on same dose for 6-8weeks.
I understand and thank you! I just wanted to work up to 20 as I was feeling no ill effects, but it seems I did overdo it lol will hold it for now , thank you
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