T3, T4, OR BOTH?

[Socalmoonpie]

T3, T4, OR BOTH? i spend hours reading posts not to mention internet research and studies. (Where would we be without the net? It`s what saved me). How many of us on this site use t4, t3, or both? Preferences? Guidlines for treatment of hypothyroidism have not changed in some time. Any one else feeling short changed? I personally do badly on t4 but well on t3 but had to take it upon myself to make the change. My gp was literally ignoring me and saying t3 was not avaiable in the states. Im guessing t4 is preffered because its considered more stable and safe but i feel it falls short.

[Lalatoot]

T4 is also cheap. It is also easier to mange and to test for for those that suit T4. this is why it is the first line of treatment.

[shaws Administrator]

T4 -levothyroxine is an inactive hormone and it is supposed to convert to T3

T3 - liothyronine is the active thyroid hormone (as you know) and it is needed in the millions of our T3 receptor cells,

Can you source NDT (natural dessicated thyroid hormones). or T3 . NDT is the very original replacement made from animals' thyroid glands and many people find it suits them. There were no blood tests when NDT was introduced, and doctors went by clinical symptoms alone and patients were given a trial.

I believe Mrs Clinton and Oprah Winfrey take NDT.

verywellhealth.com/celebrit...

Research by several research teams have found that many feel much better on a T4/T3 combination. I have read that Researchers have found a 4:1 or 3:1 can be beneficial.

I felt awful on T4 alone - always feeling very unwell. I improved when T3 was added to T4. I recovered on T3 alone.

[greygoose]

To know if you absolutely need T3, you would have to have FT4 and FT3 tested at the same time, and compare the results. If your FT3 is low and your FT4 a lot higher, then you are a poor converter and need T3.

Apart from that, we all react differently to different types of treatment. I did reasonably well on synthetic T4+T3, but never managed to get enough T3 prescribed for me. I was very ill on NDT. And, now, I'm on T3 only, which is the best for me - can no-longer tolerate any amount of levo.

I'm not sure that doctors was right about T3 not being available in the States. I'm sure some Americans on here take it. I don't know personally, of course, because I don't live there. But, I have the feeling he was just fobbing you off because T3 would be out of his comfort zone… Anyway, you can get it in Mexico, if you want to self-treat.

[Socalmoonpie]

Responding to greygoose, i know he was lying, (to my face, its insulting)never returned. been to about a dozen dr.s None willing to try t3 or refferal to an endo. Some people i have spoken to on t4 not doing so well and dont know there's options, t resign themselves to accept their fate and feel shitty. one dr. listened and had me on 50 mcg. about 2 yrs. Ins pays about $300 US monthly compared to about $25 t4. But hes moved on to bigger and better things. I am self treating at the moment. But will return for labs shortly and continue battling whoever i get next. But i want to thank everyone who has taken time to help others, so many of us would be lost without the shared knowledge and advice.