A few weeks ago I posted that I was being given T3 as well as my normal T4 medication. However I’ve not taken this yet and had my bloods taken so I could ask advice, as I thought the dosage was too high to start with. They wanted me to reduce my Levo from 100mcg to 75mcg then to add Lio 10mcg twice a day morning and around 3pm. Please could anybody advise me better on what I should start with after looking at my latest results? Also am I doing the right thing to take the T3 also?
TSH 1.04 ( 0.34 - 5.6 )
T4 13.6 ( 7.5 - 21.1 )
T3 5.4 ( 3.8 - 6.8 )
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Fancypants10
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With those results I would be wary of taking t3. For me your problem is low ft4. I would be looking for an increase in levo to bring ft4 higher. This will increase Ft3 as well.
You do not seem to have a conversion problem. Ft4 is 45%through range while Ft3 is53%through range.
This is why I’ve hesitated as I’ve only just started to feel human again (but then again I do in summer more) I’ve started to walk more and do yoga each night. Before a few weeks ago I’d spend most my time in bed not very well. I do have low vitamin d and do take those too plus I get lots of sun when it’s out. What do you suggest I say to my consultant? I feel bad not trying it but I don’t want to become sick again it’s just not worth it and my heart goes crazy when levels are out.
T3 is not amazing. I started taking it with levo 10 months ago. It has taken me till now to begin to feel better on it. You need to alter your doses of t3 and t4 separately to get your optimal levels. It takes time and perseverance. I do not convert well so I am glad to be getting it. When I started on it my ft4 was 60%through the range but my Ft3 was only 16.7% through its range.
My concern for you is that you would put your Ft3 over range.
Thank you for your reply. I knew my gut was telling not to take it. This endo prescribed without even checking my results. Going to try diesel with my normal endo.
Forgive my Yank ignorance, but what are you referring to when you say you are going to try diesel? In the US, diesel is a type of motor fuel that can only be used in certain engines -- such as the ones in 18-wheel trucks (lorries). You can't use gasoline (petrol) in a diesel engine, or diesel fuel in a gasoline engine.
Not that I know of. I’ve antibodies done in the past and I’m low vitamin d but do take those if I don’t get enough sun. I tend to feel better in summer more than winter but these last few weeks I’ve felt better with not being bed ridden and doing yoga and walking. I’m struggling to shift weight though. Not sure what to do as I don’t want to annoy my consultant as I’ve heard T3 is amazing. I’m just so scared of becoming really sick again and having my levels all over. Last time that happened I was in hospital for a week
It is amazing - if you need it. But, your FT3 is not low. So, it probably wouldn't do much for you. Whereas an increase in levo could make all the difference.
Be aware that not everybody can get all the vit d they need from the sun. Hypos in places like Greece and Austrailia can still be low in vit D.
What ever your antibody results when you had them done? Were they over-range?
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.
In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.
Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.
But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor
So they want you to reduce your levo to 75mcg from 100mcg then add 20 mcg
I would say your decision was the right one ....it's not T3 that you need.
T3 can be a life saver...if you need it. 20mcg T3 is a huge dose to start with, your body will object!
I'm not sure what your medics are trying to achieve, at this stage, by adding 20mcg T3.
I think they need to try to explain that....I doubt they can!
Your FT3 is 53.33% through the ref range
Your FT4 is 44.85% ....
Both should be close to 75% through their respective ranges!
If these results were on 100mcg it looks as if you would benefit from more levo...not less!
If your conversion is good, as it appears to be, then more levo would raise your FT4 and your FT3 and may lower your TSH. TSH ideally should be close to 1 or slightly lower butTSH is not the important result, generally that is FT3.
Ensure you nutrients ( vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin) are optimal in order to support thyroid function
Have you had antibodies tested?
Adding 20mcg T3 will raise your FT3 and possibly overmedicate you....they should know that!
Explain that you need to increase your levo, it being only 44.85% through the ref range that should be clear! Suggest he gives you an 8 week trial of increased levo....that may swing it rather than asking for an outright increase) The change in your wellbeing should be all the proof they need.
Test again after 6/8 weeks and increase further if required....100mcg is not a huge dose, trial 125mcg
So many people would benefit from the addition of T3, but it is refused, Here we have a medic offering it when it isn't initially required,
Sadly medics are very poorly educated in matters thyroid which is why over 100,000 people arrive on this forum looking for help.
DippyDame So agree with what you have written. T3 not required at this stage - T4 Levo slight increase + antibody testing. Also understood that even for people who do require FT3 levels to be raised that it should be initiated very slowly over a period of weeks/months. That is a massive dose of T3 to even start with which would cause real concerns and problems as far as I can understand.
Your results look pretty good as others have said. Wish I could get T3 but my CCG have refused twice! I wish these endos and docs would get their act together. You could ask for a second opinion. Out of interest which area are you in?
You need more blood test results (full Thyroid + vitamins etc). I assume you have been taking Thyroxine for some time since you are on 100mcg. If you have not been taking any medication containing T3 for the latest results, then your conversion efficiency GD is 36.71 nmol/s (“good converter” >29 nmol/s. ). For calculator and interpretation go to;
However, if your thyroid is being attacked as in Hashimoto's, then T3 could be being dumped into the blood stream increasing the FT3 test results. If repeated bloods show good T4-T3 conversion then you need more Thyoxine not T3. Taking T3 can have dramatic effects on TSH that send doctors into panic as they don't understand T3 treatment.
I would hang onto the T3, (in case you are a poor converter with a Hashi flareup) get a private blood test including vitamins and antibodies, and post on here again for comments
I have no medical background just my experiences of taking T3.
Thank you so much for your advice. I’m vit d deficient too so I do take those along with getting plenty of sun. Who would you recommend for bloods? Yes I’ve been on Levo for years now alone. Never taken T3 or been offered until now
SlowDragon listed the ThyroidUK recommended blood testers (I think you get 10% off kit if ordered through ThyroidUK website. I have tended to use Medichecks Thyroid Ultravit and they sometimes discount on Thursdays, so check tomorrow. Be warned it requires two small vials of blood and some people have difficulty filling these with a finger prick kit. I order the venous kit and get the nurse at the surgery to fill when I am having a routine 3 monthly blood sample for another condition.
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