Update since adding T3

[Digger031145]

Hello greygoose , and anyone else who advised I add T3 to my Levo.

I saw Gp last Tuesday and he gave me the option of either adding T3 back to my Levo or Increase T4 . I chose to add T3 - 5mcgs in the morning.

So Wednesday I added 5mcgs to my 125mcgs Levo ( was advised not to reduce it as my Ft4 was lowish anyway)

I can’t believe how quick this worked - hot flushes, sweats, anxious/jittery feeling etc all stopped on Thursday ( the day after I added T3.

Had none of these symptoms for 4 days. Then Sunday I had a hot flush. Same yesterday ( just one) but today I was woken by a big hot flush and feel a bit jittery.

Advice please!!!

NB: before I stopped T3 I was on 100mcgs Levo plus 15mcgs T3.

[NWA6]

Sounds about right, GP is being overly cautious with just 5mcg per day. Go back and tell him you need an increase and maybe you’ll need your old dose.

[Digger031145 in reply to NWA6]

He said I could take 10mcgs a day but on the advice here I started with 5mcgs T3 and didn’t reduce t4

So basically I’m asking if my symptoms that are creeping back in are indicating it’s time to increase the T3

[NWA6 in reply to Digger031145]

Ah I see, yes I would increase. I took a different approach, I took my 15mcg from day 1 (5 x 3) felt the effects like you did from day 1 and only increased to 20 after 6-8wks (can’t remember which now) because I still felt that I had room for improvement in some minor areas. That worked and then a year later I felt hypo slipping back in so increased again and now on 25mcg per day.

As you’ve not had any adverse effects I’d say crack on.

[Digger031145 in reply to NWA6]

Are you also on t4/T3?

[NWA6 in reply to Digger031145]

Yes and obviously I did blood tests between each increase. Full thyroid and Vits/minerals.

[NWA6 in reply to NWA6]

Although I don’t think you need a blood test this time round!

[Digger031145 in reply to NWA6]

I only had a blood test 2 weeks ago. Just before I added t3 so that was 2 weeks ago that I had a blood test

[NWA6 in reply to Digger031145]

Yes I thought that, so you don’t need a blood test untill you settle on your dose or your GP questions you if you were to say you’re not quite optimal yet.

[Digger031145]

greygoose & SlowDragon

Do either of you have any advice for me please

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Digger031145]

Adding 2nd 5mcg dose T3 in late afternoon

Hold at 2 x 5mcg for 6-8 weeks

all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

If/when also on T3 make sure to take last half or third of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

[Digger031145 in reply to SlowDragon]

SlowDragon

Thank you very much.

I was so surprised when all those awful symptoms disappeared the day after taking that added 5mcgs T3.

So would adding the 2nd 5mcgs at about 2pm be ok?

I used to take all my T3 in the mornings with the T4

[greygoose in reply to Digger031145]

No reason why you can't try taking it all at once. Not everybody needs to split. Some people are better off taking it all at once. You just have to try these things and see what's best for you.

[Digger031145 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your reply greygoose.

I used to take my T3 in the mornings when I was on combo previously.

I suppose when I have a blood test I would need to adjust the time of a dose the day before ?

[Digger031145 in reply to greygoose]

I also took your advise and didn’t reduce the t4 when I started adding back the T3 - just 5mcgs first week and I added a second 5mcg dose yesterday afternoon but ideally once my symptoms have gone I’d like to take it once a day as I did before I stupidly stopped T3

Many thanks for your help

[greygoose in reply to Digger031145]

You're welcome.

[Digger031145 in reply to greygoose]

Would you mind if I contacted you should I need to?

I’m on my own with this .

[greygoose in reply to Digger031145]

Yes, I understand. But, it really would be better to post on the forum so that more people can see and advise.

[Digger031145 in reply to greygoose]

Ok it’s just I get confused when I get different advise from people

So I just thought as I’ve so far followed your advise it might be appropriate to go by you

[greygoose in reply to Digger031145]

Yes, I understand. But, there's always the possibility that I might get something wrong. And, on the open forum, there will always be someone to pick me up on it.

[Digger031145 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for your reply greygoose.

I get what you’re saying.

I’m not having a very good day today 😩

[greygoose in reply to Digger031145]

I'm sorry to hear that. Hope things improve very soon.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Digger031145]

I would try to push is to nearly 12 hours after 1st dose

So if take first at 7am....try 5pm

After next blood test

If/when add third dose change to 8 hour gaps

7am, 3pm and 11pm approx

[Digger031145 in reply to SlowDragon]

I couldn’t take it as late as 11pm as I wouldn’t sleep.

I’m hoping to only dose twice a day but preferably once a day as I did do previously

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Digger031145]

That suggests high cortisol

suggest you start with taking 2nd dose 3pm or 4pm

And move it slowly on to 5pm

After a period of months cortisol levels should reduce

It won’t improve over night, will take many months

Taking 3 split doses of T3 can help lower high cortisol

Many, many people find small 5mcg dose T3 at bedtime improves sleep

[Digger031145 in reply to SlowDragon]

I do sleep well though.

My cortisol levels have been right for well over 3?years.

Paul Robinson has said many times that taking T3 after 5pm can have a stimulating effect and cause insomnia

I know some people do well taking a small dose at bedtime but I am not one of them

[sloppydog]

Everyone is different, I have no Hypo symptoms and only take 25mcg T3 & 25mcg T4 - I am litttle at 5ft 2 and 8.5 stone also, so perhaps I am having to dose like a child!!!

So advising someone else is difficult - You may need to reduce your T4 slightly

Keep in mind T3 ix 5 Times stronger than T4 so your 5mcg T3 = 25mcg T4 so perhaps make the alteration on the T4 by reducing 25mcg