T3 medication blood tests results

[Dynamic_me]

Good Morning, I am looking for the Optimal thyroid blood test results for people who take T3 medication only please.

[shaws Administrator]

I, personally, only go by how 'I feel' on any dose of T3. I adjust my dose 'slightly' if necessary but I haven't done so for sometime.

I haven't had a blood test for a while and I would only request if I felt the need.

I now take a lower dose of T3 than I did.

[DippyDame]

Like shaws, who is one of the very experienced members here who gave me brilliant advice (when I introduced T3 a few years ago and eventually moved to T3 only) I rely on signs and symptoms to dose.

But...

The size of your dose will matter....if it is a small dose then it is recommended that your FT3 stays within range to avoid overdosing which could be dangerous! I'm sure you must have checked out the symptoms of overmedication before taking T3.....it is a powerful hormone and must be treated with respect.

As, over many months, I titrated my T3 dose I found I was tolerating increasing amounts that should have overmedicated me...it didn't! I eventually discovered that I have a form of thyroid hormone resistance and need that amount to overcome the resistance and get the T3 into my tissues/cells. The T3 that doesn't reach there just sloshes around in the blood until it is metabolised and excreted.....complicated subject very much simplified here! Just an illustration of what a few people experience on T3 only!

I eventually reached a very large dose of T3 and after a few weeks began to feel overmedicated so knew I had to take less. I now take considerably less but it's still large enough to make testing unhelpful....TSH and FT4 are off the bottom of the scale and FT3 is well over the top!

I also, almost daily, check my basic heart rate and my temperature and ensure that I have no tremor in my outstretched arms/hands. Also, weekly blood pressure checks.

I can only refer to my personal experience because we are all different with different needs, but to answer your question, there are no general standard optimal lab test results. Optimal results depend on the individual's needs

Much depends on how you feel on a certain dose and on being able to ensure that you do not overdose. Unless you are convinced (possibly by trial and error) that you have a form of resistance then, for safety, stay within the FT3 range or if necessary only very slightly over. Listen to your body!

Edit. Please can you add results and ref ranges as suggested in response to your previous post it helps members advise.

[greygoose]

Totally agree with shaws and DippyDame. Optimal is a feeling, not a number. I've been on T3 only for several years - oh, more than that! And, I haven't had a blood test since 2014. I found my optimal dose by hard work, trial and error. Occasionally I test it, by increasing or reducing slightly, but always come back to my 75 mcg, where I feel comfortable.

Saw an endo in 2013, who told me my TSH and FT4 were zero. But, she wouldn't test the FT3 even though I told her I was on T3 only. So, not much point in that. Given my dose, it's not surprising my TSH and FT4 were zero, but she didn't like it at all! So, I self-treat. It's like talking to yourself, you get the best answers that way.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to greygoose]

It's like talking to yourself, you get the best answers that way

🤣 Very true! Some of my best conversations are with myself!

[DippyDame in reply to greygoose]

I can only conclude, from my own experience, that after being fed numerous scaremongering tales of woe about T3 that medics are terrified to go there.My current GP freaked out when she saw recent labs, the test was unexpected by me - biotin and all. She doesn't treat my thyroid issues, but would not even listen to my explanations (bad "bedside manner" ) she just shouted me down and clearly thinks I'm as mad as a box of frogs and about to kill myself. This is not a journey for the faint hearted....which is rediculous!

Hells bells its enough to cause the red mist to descend!

[greygoose in reply to DippyDame]

Oh, that red mist!!! I know it very well. Suffered greatly from it as a teenager, and almost did a lot of things I would have regretted! Pretty sure it was the Hashi's, even back then.

But, I don't think it's just T3 doctors are scared of. I think they're terrified of all hormones! I once asked a doctor about DHEA - wasn't terribly sure what it was at the time - and I swear he went as white as I sheet - possibly even crossed himself and reached for the garlic! "Oooo, he said, you don't want to go there! I've had two patients take DHEA (I think he possibly meant self-treating, because I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have prescribed it!) One, her blood pressure went sky-high. The other grew a beard!" Well, I had to laugh, but he didn't see the joke. 🤣

[DippyDame in reply to greygoose]

Well, I laughed too!How about writing a book?

Take care.

[greygoose in reply to DippyDame]

😊

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