T3 and testing

[tired899]

Hello everybody,

I am about to start supplementing my 125mcg of levo with some T3, as I don't feel the levo is working that well.

I will be using Blue Horizon to monitor all the relevant levels to make sure the T3 isn't causing me any harm. I am looking for anybody's thoughts/experiences who have used T3 and levothyroxine as to anyhthing I should watch out for in particular with my results. I can't ask my GP as he won't prescribe me with T3.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post! Any info at all would be much appreciated

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

tired899

The first thing to say is have you tested to get levels before adding T3? If so what are they - TSH, FT4 and FT3 (can you post results/ranges). You are looking for a TSH 1 or below with high FT4 and low FT3 to know if you need to add T3.

Are your nutrient levels optimal - Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin? They need to be before adding T3.

Recommended levels are:

Vit D - 100-150nmol/L

B12 - top of range for Total T3 or 100+ for Active B12

Folate - at least half way through range, if no range and just >3.89 then aim for double figures

Ferritin - half way through range

If you haven't tested all these then please do so before starting T3 and if they're not optimal they should be addressed first.

Start adding T3 low and slow, 1/4 of a tablet to start with, wait 2 weeks, if no adverse reaction add another 1/4 of a tablet. You can then add 1/4 of a tablet every 2 weeks until 1 full tablet reached, then wait 6-8 weeks and retest to check your levels. Personally I took a lot longer between increases and I started retesting before I reached 1 tablet. I originally added T3 back in 2015 and 2 years later I was still tweaking doses to find the right balance of Levo and T3. I got up to 1 and 1/4 tablets of T3 at one point but that wasn't right, I am now taking 1/2 a tablet with my Levo so we don't all need large doses, it's just a case of taking time to find the right doses of each.

Once you've started adding T3 then if all you want to test is TSH, FT4 and FT3 I'd suggest you use MonitorMyHealth, an NHS lab based at Exeter hospital which offers the cheapest fingerprick test to the public for £26.10 with code here:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

I use these all the time now for my basic monitoring test.

[jgelliss in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you so much Seaside Susie for your very detailed and sound post. Can you please tell me how much T4 and T3 your dosing with currently?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to jgelliss]

I'm tweaking doses at the moment, not sure if I have now got a less effective batch of Accord but I've kept to 12.5mcg T3 and am waiting to do a new test in 3 or 4 weeeks to see if the increased dose of Levo is helping so I can't really say what dose of that is right at the moment.

[jgelliss in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you.

[tired899 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hello Seasidesusie,

Thank you for your informative reply. I haven't yet had my test with Blue Horizon: I'm waiting for my local testing centre to open as I need a blood draw (tried the finger prick test in the past and it was a disaster as I am a prone to fainting ) I am feeling really exhausted and down so I am trying to get organised. My last test showed poor conversion of Free T4 to free T3, but that was a couple of years ago. I tried to get my ferratin up but this hasn't made much difference to my low energy levels unfortunately.

Thanks for the information regarding how to start dosing. I am a little worried about this but the way you do it seems sound and uncomplicated. Thanks again for the info: I am just annoyed that I have to wait to get my blood test as I want to get started asap.

[Lalatoot]

I agree with Susie. That is exactly how it was for me.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

Do you have Hashimoto’s? Autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

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

Before considering adding T3 we need optimal vitamin levels, levothyroxine dose fine tuned and, if autoimmune thyroid disease, likely necessary or helpful to be on strictly gluten free diet

[tired899 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Slowdragon,

I am currently taking 125mcg of levo and feel worse than ever. My last TSH was 2.40 when I was on about 112mcg, but that was all the doctor's surgery could test (they won't test free T4). So it should be around 1 now.

I always use the same brand of levothyroxine and have Hashimotos. Following a gluten free diet and last had nutrient levels tested 2 years ago. I am waiting until I can get a blood test as the finger prick one makes me unwell (I'm a fainter). I am so fed up of feeling exhausted and want things to improve.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to tired899]

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before all blood tests

[tired899]

Hello SlowDragon,

I currently take iron supplements and vitamin D, too. I don't think any contain biotin- would this be a problem? Thanks very much.