Tired after T3 dose every time!: Hi For the past... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

144,297 members169,733 posts

Tired after T3 dose every time!

mistygrey profile image
9 Replies

Hi

For the past few months or longer I’ve been feeling extremely exhausted after my T3 dose.

I am on a small dose of 2.5mcg T3 as I don’t seem to handle higher doses. My endo mentioned upping the T3, this was awhile ago and I didn’t do it yet. I’ve not got any new up to date bloods but due to get them done soon.

My question is though, why am I feeling a big slump of tiredness after my T3 dose? It’s supposed to have the opposite effect I thought!

Thanks for any advice 🙏🏼- Liothyronine T3 added for hash tags

Written by
mistygrey profile image
mistygrey
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
9 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

It’s common to feel very tired/sleepy after T3 especially initially when starting on T3

mistygrey profile image
mistygrey in reply toSlowDragon

Hi thank you for your reply. I’ve been on it awhile now but maybe I’m not on enough? Is being tired after a dose a sign possibly it’s not enough dose?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tomistygrey

May be

How many doses per day are you currently taking?

Taking 2, 3 or 4 small doses through day often helps

Many of us find a last dose at bedtime improves sleep

mistygrey profile image
mistygrey in reply toSlowDragon

Just one dose usually at lunch time as my fatigue is worse in the afternoons, but I don’t think this is doing me much good at the moment as I have the slumps after it

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tomistygrey

Well that’s ridiculously low dose

Have you tried taking 2 or 3 times a day

Starting with just adding one extra dose a day - waking and approx 10 -12 hours for 2nd dose

If ok...after 1-4 weeks....adding 3rd dose ....3 doses approx 8 hour equal intervals through day

shaws profile image
shaws

Hi mistygrey

I am not medically qualified but I would state that your dose of T3 is minute i.e.2.5mcg, so there's not sufficient to saturate all of your T3 receptor cells. I believe 25mcg of T3 (liothyronine) is approx to 100mcg of levothyroxine - T4 in its effect..

I first had some T3 added to a reduced T4 and I felt a big change instantly, but after a few months I increased my dose. Eventually I stopped T4 altogether and remained on my T3 dose.

The difference that T3 alone made was amazing for me, but I do know we're all different in the dose we need or can take.

Just recently I have reduced to 25mcg T3 instead of 50mcg. So I assume our bodies do change and need adjustments. Whatever we do has to be gradual.

The following excerpt and link might be helpful:-

When switchingfrom liothyronine (including liothyronine-containing products) to the equivalent dose of levothyroxine,taking into account any other levothyroxine the patient is also co-prescribed and the patient’s most recent thyroid function tests.The BNF states that 20–25 micrograms of liothyronine is equivalent to 100micrograms of levothyroxine.

cambridgeshireandpeterborou...

shaws profile image
shaws

That's an extremely small dose of T3 so maybe that's why you don't feel much of a difference. Is 2.5 mcg the full dose of the day? I note that the Endo said that you can increase.

25mcg of T3 is equal - approx to 100mcg of levo so 2.5 mcg is miniscule.

jamesal0 profile image
jamesal0

Yep it normal, take it at night.

Dunkenb profile image
Dunkenb

I take 20mcg three times a day at about 5/6 hour intervals. And 50mcg of Levo once a day. 2.5mcg is extremely low especially if you take it only once. When my T3 is wearing off my heart rate raises a bit ( so I know it’s time for more )

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

T4/T3 morning dose time

Hi I usually take my t4/t3 first thing in morning with another 5mcg dose of t3 around 3/4pm. I...
mistygrey profile image

How much time after changing dose of T3?

Hi everybody, I'm on T3 only and don't know if I'm over- or underdosed. I've tried lowering my...
Soloslim profile image

”rush” of hormone after taking T3

I’ve recently stopped taking progesterone HRT (only taken to help with thyroid levels) as it was...
Murphysmum profile image

Testing advice after trialling T3

Hi all, I’ve managed to stay on T3 for a while now and I’m getting ready to do a thyroid test. I...
TiredMummy profile image

T3 dosing time advice, please

Hi everyone, I’ve been experimenting with my T4-T3 dosing schedule and wanted to share my...

Moderation team

See all
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator
GlowCoach profile image
GlowCoachAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.