Symptoms on T3

[mjinder]

I just started taking T3 a week ago - was on a compounded slow release T3/T4 from the US for most of the year (but labs were awful), and then went back on WP thyroid for 3 weeks before starting T3.

On Dr's instructions, I started by reducing 1 grain of NDT, and adding the T3. I've experimented a bit with the dose, and currently splitting a 20mcg pill into 4 and taking 1/4 3 times a day. I've been having heart palpitations and some dizziness when walking (the only exercise I do at the moment).

I was having an ultrasound on Saturday (and they said my thyroid looks completely normal - I have hashimotos so was surprised by this), and asked if they could take my blood pressure, as I was not feeling great. That turned into a 3.5 hour ED experience! Blood pressure and oxygen were fine, as was an ECG. Then they ran bloodwork, and everything was 'normal' except for TSH. of course they didn't test Free T3 and T4, but given I had taken meds that day anyway, wouldn't have been helpful.

I also started ACE for low cortisol levels a few days ago, was told the low cortisol could be impacting the thyroid. But I'm still having heart palps and generally not feeling great.

Any thoughts on what I can do? I'm supposed to slowly raise the T3 until taking 50mcg a day. I'm only at 15. No instructions yet to take any T4

[Lalatoot]

I am on combo T4/T3. It has taken a year of adjustments and patience for me to balance my doses of each. It is early days yet for you.

[magsyh]

I think you are taking too much too soon. I have started on 2.5 mcg of T3. I was on that morning only I was fine then my body started looking for more. I went to 2.5 in afternoon as well and slept like a log. I think you need to do this slowly and listen to your body it takes time and right now can't get blood tests etc to keep a check.

[mjinder in reply to magsyh]

Thank you. I'm curious as to why it has so much of an impact (I was on 36mcg of T3 drug the compounded meds, although I think maybe I wasn't absorbing it...)

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to mjinder]

You might find Tania Smith's experience of "compounded T3" relevant:

thyroidpatients.ca/2020/09/...

I do not like statements like this:

I'm supposed to slowly raise the T3 until taking 50mcg a day.

On what basis is 50 micrograms a target dose? Shouldn't the aim be for you to be as well as can be achieved not some guess as to how much you should be taking?

It is fine to say "We think you might need 50 microrgams or so." But not to target it like that.