Do I really need T3?!?

[JacqS71]

Good afternoon

You will see, from my previous posts, that I take T3 with my T4. Before I did this I had been on T4 for 20 ish years. I didn’t felt quite right for a few years. Then I added T3. Pretty much at the same time I realised my Vit D was v low so supplemented. On hind sight I am wondering if I never needed T3. I am thinking about going back to 125 of T4 which I had been on for ever. I am currently 100 T4 and half a T3-12.5. I was on more T4 and although I felt better I couldn’t sleep as well so lowered to 100. Tests also showed that I was slightly over medicated. If I drop T3 I will be bottom of range I know. Is this a silly idea? I’d just like to feel a bit better and years ago I feel the T4 was fine and it was the Vit D becoming low that was the problem.

Any thoughts or views welcome.

Jacqui

[knitwitty]

One thing you could do is try halving your dose of T3 ( 6.25mcg ) and see if that has any effect on your wellbeing, I'm sure you would soon feel less well if you needed it.What were your blood test results before you started on the T3 and what are they now?

If your T3 was at rock bottom and your T4 near the top of the range, it might suggest that you are a poor convertor, however having low vitamins can also affect your ability to convert.

What is your vitamin D and again what was it before you started the T3?

My T4 was at the top of the range and my T3 just scraping the bottom of the range and I felt no better than before I started the T4, I addressed the vitamin issues and I still didn't feel well, it was only when I added a small amount of T3 that I started to feel ok again. like you I take 12.5mcg daily split into two doses ( 6.25mcg x2).

[greygoose]

You'll only find out if you try it. No-one can prejudge the situation. But, it's a hell of a risk. And, if you feel well as you are, personally, I wouldn't change a thing!

And, a word of warning: very often people feel well on a dose, think they ought to try a lower one in some way, find they feel worse, but never get quite back to where they were before dropping the dose. We often see that on here. So, think about it very carefully before acting.

[DippyDame]

It sounds as if you first need to sort out the nutrients!Vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin all need to be optimal, to support conversion and consequently good health

Currently your conversion is poor, but until you optimise nutrients you won't know why.

I would be inclined to do this before adjusting your hormones.

Test again after 6/8 weeks and see if levels have changed/improved.

If not, poor conversion is likely to be the cause so you may need to reduce T4 and increase T3....but only ever adjust one thing at a time.

We are all diferent with diferent needs so it can be trial and error I'm afraid.

T3 is the active hormone required by most cells in the body in a constant and adequate supply....low T3 = poor health! But it must be treated with respect.

One slow step at a time I'm afraid!

Best...

DD