Hi, Endo started on a trial of T3 for 3 months 20mcg tablets but 10mcg with my 100 Levo I'm taking I'm not sure how to take it I take my 100 Levo at night about 9.30 if I'm right 10mcg is about 30mcg of Levo? I've also got to take Iron tablets as low end range iron which I thought my Gp said dont need iron tablets Endo says yes it will bump your iron up a bit more any advice please
Got my T3 today : Hi, Endo started on a trial... - Thyroid UK
Got my T3 today
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You can take T3 at same time as levo.Starting dose is 5mcg for a week. If that is ok add another 5mcg either as second dose or add to first dose. Hold for 8 weeks then bloods.
in reply to Lalatoot
Oh Endo said take it all at once the 10mcg or disperse it in water n drink it but didnt say when to take it ? So that small tablet cut in half then half it again to make 5 mcg
Lalatoot in reply to
Yes. Best to start low and slow. It is a pain cutting them in quarters but I manage with a basic pill cutter.
in reply to Lalatoot
Just been reading some of your interesting posts regarding taking t3 my result I have just put on is the first time really T3 t4 have dropped started dropping March april on same amount of Levo 100mcg
Hi There I was reading some of your interesting posts regarding taking T3 in the first place conversion problems I dont think I've had conversion problems on T4 its always been suppressed tsh but near enough top range t3 t4 but lately its dropped a bit more on same amount of Levo 100mcg. But tsh wasnt supressed slightly in range for the first time in a year I know I need iron supplements for a while as ferritin dropped n low end range iron so could account for hair loss n nails all splitting
Latest results June 7th first time in range tsh
Taking T3 tends to lower ft4 and suppress TSH so your results will change and you need to work for a balance that suits you
in reply to Lalatoot
Thank you for your replies Yes I know T3 can suppress tsh and lower t4 but I have had supressed tsh on t4 only for long while now always usually with pretty good range t3 t4 not over range no real conversion probs but not felt great though its only these latest results I've seen tsh in range on same dose 100mcg but lower T3 t4 this time and I feel worse it's not as if I have changed dose of T4 I was thinking it was a iron prob interfering with these results but I just try learn from on here but takes a while to grasp all the info with me so sorry for all the questions I do appreciate!
It's very interesting that I read several times on this Great Forum and now your also mentioning that T3 tends to lower FT4 . I had TT and was told that when adding T3 to my T4 dose that the T3 will raise the T4 because there is less conversion going on. I'm a bit puzzled . Would love some clarification please. Thank you in advance.
helvella diogenes can you explain this please rather than me making up a half-baked answer?
Thank you Lalatoot . Sometimes we know things to be the way they are. But explaining is a different story. I had many such experiences myself. This forum is *Blessing* with wonderful members as yourself and many other members that take their precious time to share their thyroid journey's for our in-betterment.
If you take T3 alone, then there is no need for conversion if you have no thyroid. T3 and T4 compete for cell receptors, and T3 is rather better than T4 at this - perhaps twice as good. Thus in combination, T3 will tend to reduce T4-T3 conversion, since the natural conversion is lowered to try to mitigate the action of T3 direct. This may raise the FT4 somewhat, and also promote rT3 production to a greater extent to control T4 levels. With T3 being an effective hormone for the receptors, then it will feed back on the pituitary to reduce thyroid T4 production through suppressed TSH, assuming you have any working thyroid left.
in reply to diogenes
That's very interesting let's hope I can keep this stored in my head with all the other things I'm trying to keep up with Thank You.
I can't tell you why it happens because I've forgotten, but it most certainly does. I started T3 with Levo at Christmas and my FT4 has really dropped. It was always well over 50% of the range. Now it's about 37% through the range last check. I don't really understand where it goes. But it's gone. I've just been trying to increase the FT4 by increasing my dose of Levo but I hate how it makes me feel worse and destroys my sleep so I must accept that my dose of Levo is not the problem. I will need to try a T3 increase next. See how that goes.
Thank you very much FancyPants54 for sharing your experiences . Very Helpful.
I'm just wondering if this works the same way for TT patients as with thyroid patients that have their own thyroids in tact but need to add thyroid meds T3 and T4 ?
I've not seen anything on here to suggest there is a difference.
Thank you so much for your kind reply. I read your well kept detailed journal . It's very informative and very helpful .
Wow! Didn't expect anyone would read it. I keep it there so I have it written up for reference for me.
In fact I appreciate reading members thyroid journals . They are eye opening and I feel that I'm not alone in this journey. Though I have not shared my journey since I would take up way to much time from when I started my journey to present. In my thyroid journey I would say *And the Beat Go's On*. Still in progress. Ha Ha Ha.
shawsAdministrator
I have taken T4/T3 together with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating.
in reply to shaws
Just trying to decide when and how to take it all 10mcg with 100 Levo or as suggested start with 5mcg for a bit
I would take both together with one full glass of water on an empty stomach and wait an hour before eating. I find taking my dose when I awake and wait an hour before eating suits me fine.
I think the majority of patients take their dose when they awake. Some people split their dose but we are on a lifetime of thyroid hormones and we want to make it as easy and simple as possible.
Dr John Lowe who was a scientist/doctor/expert in the use of T3 (he himself took it). He stated one daily dose saturated all of our T3 receptor cells which sent out 'waves' throughout the day. He was also an Adviser to Thyroiduk.org.uk before his accidental death. He took his in the middle of the night when he awoke, so that nothing interfered with its uptake.
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
in reply to shaws
I agree I want it to he as simple as possible Shaws I wake up a lot during the night but atm I take my Levo at 9.30pm which I've taken
You could try a bedtime dose and see how that works for you.
in reply to shaws
Hi shaws, I was just thinking that i havent started it yet I have been reading a bit of Dr Lowe so much to read n understand what a shame we dont have endo's like him this supressed tsh on t4 only has always bothered my Endo and my Gp mine has always been supressed on t4 only but once you add T3 its okay to be supressed or low ? I have leaky heart valves so that's monitored yearly now already had osteoporosis before tsh suppression so it didnt cause it I'm going to add 5mcg to my 100 Levo for 2 weeks then gradually add to 10mcg I do find I sweat a lot around my throat n neck of a night not sure why wasnt always like it Anyway Thank You for the Dr Lowe info
Our doctors have lost their techniques nowadays and only take account of a blood test and not our clinical symptoms. Have no clue how to restore patient's health. This is a link to another doctor - another expert and I hope its helpful too. It's no wonder he cannot take on any new patients.:-
hormonerestoration.com/Thyr...
It's such a pit that our 'old school and knowledgeable doctors' are around no longer. They were the knowledgeable ones and were trained as there were no blood tests - only the skill/knowledge of our doctors and knowledge of symptoms. No wonder we talk about 'old wives tales' as they also knew how to help people recover their health.
On levo only when I first was diagnosed gave me severe palpitations and cardiologist couldn't figure it out and was thinking of putting an implant in my heart to 'see what was going on'. Just then T3 was added to T4 and severe palps ceased and I eventually went onto T3 alone. I have even reduced my dose of T3 recently. So I adjust (not often) according to symptoms (if any as they seem to have disappeared). I go by how I feel and, at present, I feel well and symptom free.
in reply to shaws
I suppose if I had to buy my own T3 just to feel bit more normal I would cant see my Endo letting me go T3 only anyway I'm just hoping the T3 does the trick I so miss my long hiking walks n my bike Thank You for the info
FancyPants54 in reply to
Oh tell me about it! I'm struggling to walk at all right now. I miss the fields and my bike so much. And swimming. I used to swim 4 times a week at least. Now I struggle to get my fat ass off the chair. This is a cruel illness and we have cruel doctors controlling us. However, I'm on T3 now with Levo. It's obviously not enough for me, but I've just experimented with raising Levo dose a bit hoping the T3 would help my poor conversion but it hasn't. The extra Levo has made me feel more hypo. So at least that experiment was positive in one way. I don't need more Levo! I have also recently tried reducing my Levo to see if that would help and tons of my hair fell out almost at once so again, an experiment that goes to show my regular dose of Levo is what I need for now, but I need to concentrate on raising T3 and see what that does. We should not have to be experimental, but we do.
It was the best thing I did i.e. take T3 only.
At first I was given T4 which gave me immense palpitations, especially during the night when I awoke and I had to put around my neck a wet towel from freezer to wrap around my neck to try to reduce palps. I also sipped iced water.
The cardiologist was puzled by my many overnight recordings and was thinking of putting an implant in my heart to 'see what was going on'.
Just then T3 was added to a reduce T4 and T3 stopped my palps and after a number of weeks I stopped T4 and took T3 alone and I had no more symptoms/problems.
in reply to shaws
Shaws can I ask you another question please I was wondering if I take my 5mcg with my 100 Levo tonight how long does it stay in the system or the cells how would I benefit it to make any difference or would I need a top up afternoons?
5mcg is an extremely small dose and usually with a higher dose it saturates all of the T3 receptor cells and lasts between one to three days.
Levo (T4) is an inactive hormone and is supposed to convert to T3.
One dose of T3 (I don't mean a tiny dose) taken with one glass of water will last between one to three days in our system.
T4 (levothyroxine) is an inactive hormone. It should convert to T3.
T3 (liothyronine) is the active thyroid hormone and our brain and heart have the most T3 receptor cells.
Levo gave me severe palpitations and cardiologist couldn't figure it out but when I took T3 only, all palps ceased.
in reply to shaws
So that 5mcg wont really benefit me much then? I've only been given a dosage of 10mcg trial period
in reply to shaws
Take both at night do you think ? I'll go for the 5mcg as suggested by Lalatoot start my iron supplements tomorrow with the ones I already take hopefully I will feel bit better soon
I think you’ll have to experiment. Some people say taking liothyronine at night helps them sleep. Personally it keeps me awake for hours. I take mine in the morning now. You just have to try it out.
in reply to beh1
Hi There, I'm already awake every 2 to 3 hours on the dot every night so I'll have to have a think Thank You..
I would take the iron as far apart from levo /T3 you can. Take it with a dose of vitamin c or glass of orange juice to increase absorption
shawsAdministrator
You can take both T4 and T3 at the same time. Swallow with a glass of water and wait an hour before you eat.
in reply to shaws
Yes what I meant is if I take tonight with my t4 how long does it stay in the system or cell to benefit me or does it need a dose again during the day hope I make sense
Levothyroxine (T4) has to convert to liothyronine (T3). so it takes time. I cannot give the actual conversion of it into T3.
I've always taken my dose(s) when I get up as stomach is empty with one full glass of water and wait an hour before I eat.
Our concentration should be upon 'how do we feel' and if not yet feeling 'normal' we have to make small adjustments but because we get a prescription with a certain amount it can be difficult to do so.
I have read from an Adviser to TUK before his accidental death, that T3 has a 'life' of about three days but we take a daily dose.
T3 is the active hormone and T4 is inactive so it has to convert to T3. It depends on how our body works so it is more important to judge how your body is reacting to the thyroid hormones.
in reply to shaws
Thank you shaws I'm understanding it now it's not a lot I have been given I'll have to see how it goes was thinking of early morning Levo again instead of evening
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