T4/T3 trial - update @ 6 months.

[Lotika]

Hi -

This is a little post for those of us who enjoy other people’s results, particularly over time! Hopefully my little chart is attached!

I am now on 100 mcg levo (where I started!) plus 2 x 5 mcg T3.

A few things to note:

1. TSH range 0.27-4.2

2. My body in no way considers 5 mcg equivalent to 25 mcg levo, judging by TSH and how I feel. More like 5 mcg T3 to 12.5 mcg T4.

3. Increasing T3 really did a proper number on my fT4!

Since upping to 100 T4 I initially feel better but am v tired at around 8pm. The pattern with all dose changes bar the first massive cut in levo is that I feel better initially as I increase and then it goes pear-shaped as fT4 falls further off the cliff!

Anyway... onwards and upwards. Maybe 100 T4 & 10 T3 will even itself out sensibly... and if not, I’m probably going to throw in the towel and ask for 125 mcg T4 only. Never tried it. And if that fails then NDT, although given I like a decent fT4, I’m guessing it may not be for me, although I suppose I could attempt to combo dose with it... we shall see!

Lotika xx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

2. My body in no way considers 5 mcg equivalent to 25 mcg levo, judging by TSH and how I feel. More like 5 mcg T3 to 12.5 mcg T4.

I would definitely agree with that

[Smorzando]

Hi Lotika

I definitely enjoy looking at other people's results!

Are yours in date order, oldest as the top?

I'm curious as to why you've increased the Levo but reduced your T3 down to 10mcg again, was this on the advice of your endo? I would have thought, given the pattern, that 100 T4 and 15 T3 would have been the next step...

[Lotika in reply to Smorzando]

Hi - yes, that's right, the oldest is at the top, so it's a progression of treatment, if you like. I was a on 100 mcg T4 only for about 2.5 years. It was, oddly, my next dosage suggestion to the endo, so yes, I asked to reduce the T3 by 5 mcg. To be honest, I didn't over-think it. It is the dose increase I wanted when he increased T3 instead last time, so I had always intended to try it. I'm desperate to have fT4 back over 50% if possible. Additionally, I actually felt quite well (by my own low standards!) when my fT3 was at 11% through range, so that was a "good day" and if they'd tested a few days sooner it would have been lower, I'm sure. I would have asked them to stabilise me with fT3 at 11% if they'd asked what I was hoping for from the treatment! I'm thinking I don't want my TSH too low as things stand, but if that's what it takes to feel well... then I shall change my mind!

I hope your trial is going well too!

[Smorzando in reply to Lotika]

Ok, I understand! Definitely worth trying, but maybe don't rule out the higher dose of levo and the higher dose of T3, rather than giving up if your current dose doesn't work. Your TSH isn't really all that low, considering. Another thing to mention I've noticed that blood test results can be very variable even on the same dose - my T4 levels were wildly out one week to the next, so it can be hard to use them as the only guide to dose increases or decreases, if you see what I mean?

Taking a keen interest as you're on a similar dose to me 🙂 - my trial isn't going all that well, tbh, as I'm still feeling like cr*p. Due to see my endo in just over a week.

[Lotika in reply to Smorzando]

True - agreed that the blood tests can be a bit variable! But I felt better initially after increasing T3 to 15 mcg and then worse.,, and my thought is that it slowly banjaxed the fT4.... so I see the sense in the numbers - the latest ones were a relief that it wasn’t in my head 🤣

I hear you about generally trying more meds and not quitting on the trial.. but as you know, it’s tough... I’m thinking if they could promise me that 125 mcg T4 could stabilise fT3 at more than 11% I might check out at this point. As you see, both frees at less than 50% for 6 months.. ouch.

I’m sorry you’re feeling rough too. I keep saying that they don’t call it a trial for nothing... it really is an endurance test!

[Smorzando in reply to Lotika]

The whole business of having thyroid disease is one big trial if you ask me 🙄

I think what I'm most worried about now is that they withdraw the T3 prescription if it's not helping me by now. As I really won't know what to do next and I can't go on feeling so awful.

Good luck with your new dose, I hope you start to feel better 🤞

[Lotika in reply to Smorzando]

I hear you on that thought - the what I’d it doesn’t work... I’m thinking, personally, that they can’t put me back on 100 mcg T4 only - they need to try over medicating me on that - or we need to look at NDT... or we need to fly solo and self dose... personally not sure where my bravery is for all or any of those!

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Hi Lotika,

I’m very interested in your results & thyroid journey on combination treatment.

I was hoping to compare my results (112.5 Levo plus 10 Liothyronine) but just got email from Medichecks today saying sample was void/ corrupt. Now I will need to wait for another to be sent & rebook next week’s endo appointment I’d arranged to discuss results. Definitely feeling better on 100 mcg Levo & 5mcg T3 morning and 12.5mcg Levo & 5mcg T3 bedtime. The extra 12.5mcg has given me more energy & reduced aches.

[Lotika in reply to Buddy195]

Sorry about your blood draw - I had a challenge with one of mine in that i ordered the wrong test at some point - so frustrating, isn't it?! I am glad that things are getting better for you - interesting about the split in levo - I'm glad it seems to be working!