Horrible body aches since starting t3 - Thyroid UK

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Horrible body aches since starting t3

magsyh profile image
12 Replies

My private doc decided I should add T3 to my levo. Only a tiny starter dose of 2.5mg in the morning long with 50mg of levothyroxine. Everything has been fine as only been a week but past 2 days body aches, back ache and mild headache making me feel terrible.

Is this because dose is too small and making me feel worse instead of better? Should I add another 2.5mg?

Last blood test end of July TSH 2.8 (0.3-4.5) T4 17 (10-22) T3 4.25 (3.1-6.8) on 50mg levothyroxine.

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magsyh
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12 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

There’s nothing on your profile

When were your vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

magsyh profile image
magsyh in reply toSlowDragon

It's been almost a year since I had everything tested last. I am due a full test end of this month. My vitamin levels have always been good just my ferritin was high at 175 but doc re tested and said it was normal as I was post menopausal and saturation was only 24%

I take 15mg hydrocortisone, 1200 mg vitamin c, 300mg b5, igneuss b complex just one. 6000iu vitamin d, 400mg methylfolate, K2, magnesium glycinate, 10mg propranolol.

Jan_Noack profile image
Jan_Noack in reply tomagsyh

For me, when on prednisone or hydrocortisone I didn't need the T3 at all. The T4 alone was enough and broke down , it felt to T3 easily and the T3 got used up. My blood values of fT3 were lowered BUt I still belive that is as I was using it up whereas without the steroids I didn't seem to? There is NO scientific studies to show this though (at least there wasn't years ago when I looked) but it sure is how I feel. Never had propanol myself. Just my thoughts that maybe you are getting enough T3 now but when not on hydrocortisone you may need it. Regardless the hydrocortisone will definitely change your need for T3 and how your body uses it! it will definitely alter your blood levels of fT3 but perhaps not how readily your bodu=y uses it up?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tomagsyh

For many people Propranolol significantly affects conversion and uptake of levothyroxine

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/168...

Propranolol is frequently prescribed when hyperthyroid

Why are you taking propranolol?

If weening off propranolol, it needs to be done extremely slowly

magsyh profile image
magsyh in reply toSlowDragon

I have been on propranolol for 4 months to stop night time palpitations. I was so bad I was scared to go to bed. I was hoping once I was on enough thyroid medication the palpitations would stop. I'm only on 10mg I refused to take any more.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tomagsyh

You may/should be able to very very slowly cut that down.....but don’t rush

Get use to T3 first

Are you on gluten free diet ?

magsyh profile image
magsyh in reply toSlowDragon

Yes gluten fee I was also dairy free but have been back on dairy almost a year now as calcium was low.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tomagsyh

Low calcium usually improves as vitamin D and magnesium levels improve

ThaiDogRescue profile image
ThaiDogRescue

are you sure they make 2.5 mcg tabs or did you mean 25mcg ?

magsyh profile image
magsyh in reply toThaiDogRescue

I have 5mg tablets and cut them in half.

JAmanda profile image
JAmanda

I'd experiment with another 2.5 6 hours or so later And see if that helps. Difficult to say otherwise what's causing your body aches. But I'm always experimenting! For me, my headaches symptoms when starting T3 were because it was too little not too much. But your body could just still be adjusting. I think it takes weeks to acclimatise.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Many many members find taking small dose of T3 at bedtime improves sleep

Getting all four vitamins tested and optimal too

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