T3 timings

[Foggyk]

Hi guys. T3 query please.

I'm on T3 prescription, several months now. Feeling more tired than before. I did stop for a week but felt awful.

I'm taking 5mg 2/3 times a day.

I take T4 & T3 together first thing in the morning, no food for an hour then 2nd dose of T3 mid morning.

I haven't reduced T4 , taking 75mg.

Last blood tests about a month ago showed my T3 much better levels TSH very low butt Endo wasn't concerned about that.

Any advice on timing of taking T3 please as I'm still trying to balance it and not seeing Endo again until October.

Thank you very much

[greygoose]

You can't take T3 2 or 3 times a day. It has to be one or the other every day. But, timing is a very personel thing. You have to experiment to find the best times for you. Could even be that you'd feel better if you didn't split your dose, and took it all in one go.

[Foggyk in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. Ok to take with my levothyroxine though?

[greygoose in reply to Foggyk]

No problem with that, no.

[Foggyk in reply to greygoose]

Thank you

Colour

[greygoose in reply to Foggyk]

When was that test done? What were you taking at the time?

[Foggyk in reply to greygoose]

About a month ago and same as I'm on now. 75 mg levothyroxine and 5mg of T3 3 times a day although sometimes I only manage 2 times if I'm busy

[greygoose in reply to Foggyk]

Yes, well, that's never going to work, is it. You can't chop and change doses of T3 like that. So, I think you ought to just aim to take it twice a day - perhaps 10 mcg in the morning and 5 mcg later. Or, as I said, try taking it all in one go, in the morning, with your levo. It's all trial and error finding the right dosing schedule.

[Foggyk in reply to greygoose]

Ok will do that thanks. Endo said I could take 2 or 3 times a day, I did wonder. What do you think of blood tests?

[greygoose in reply to Foggyk]

Well, they don't look too bad, and just what one would expect on your dose. But, it's how you feel that is important.

[Foggyk in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. I'll make sure I get my T3 more regular, I will try all together S you suggested. Thank you

[Josephineinamachine in reply to Foggyk]

How are you feeling? Are you having good days and bad days? When you stopped you said you felt awful - did you stop because you thought it wasn’t working for you?

[Foggyk in reply to Josephineinamachine]

Hi. I stopped because prescription ran out a week before Endo visit and yes, I didn't notice any difference. (Until I stopped)Back on for a couple of weeks, still feel very tired

[greygoose in reply to Foggyk]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Foggyk]

Endo said I could take 2 or 3 times a day, I did wonder.

Endocrinologist probably meant

Try taking it as split dose twice a day

Or

Try taking it 3 x a day

But you must take EXACTLY same total amount every day

[Josephineinamachine]

T3 initially made me sleepy (only been on it a few months like you so no expert here!) Still does a bit I think actually. I’m still tweaking doses. I have started this last week to take my 3rd 5mcg T3 at 8 (8 hours between each dose). This has helped me sleep better and I wake up properly refreshed. I can only manage 1.25 mcg T3 at lunch time though because otherwise I will sleep in the afternoon. Think this sleepy side effect in the day thing is meant to go after a while. Hoping so! Maybe if you could set a regularly spaced time to take it and hold that for a while it might help with fatigue? Hate fatigue - it affects everything doesn’t it 😞

[Foggyk in reply to Josephineinamachine]

Hi, yes it certainly does. I think I need to experiment a bit. Good luck and hope it works for you. Thank you for your reply

[shaws in reply to Josephineinamachine]

Dr John Lowe - an expert in the use of T3 took T3 himself and this was his method. He was also an Adviser to Thyroiduk.org.uk before his accidental death.

He took his dose in the middle of the night when he awoke to go to the toilet. This ensured nothing interfered with T3's uptake. He also stated one dose saturated all of the T3 receptor cells which sent out 'waves' throughout the day up to three days.

I take my one daily dose when I get up along with one glass of water and wait an hour before I eat. I am glad to say I'm symptom-free, feel well and am energetic.

p.s. I did a trial myself (I have always taken one daily dose). I took my dose as usual with one glass of water. I took none on day two or day three and then began again on the following day.

I had no symptoms occurring at all.

[Foggyk in reply to shaws]

Thank you.

[McPammy]

I take my medication as follows:

7.30am - 5mcg T3

Noon - 32mcg Levothyroxine

3pm - 5mcg T3

5pm - 32mcg Levothyroxine

10pm - 5mcg T3 but only if I’m exercise on a regular basis. Otherwise I leave out the 10pm T3.

Ive recently lowered my Levothyroxine from 75mcg to 64mcg daily. I’m on liquid Levothyroxine so it’s easy to tailor your dose to your personal requirements.

I’ve recently had my bloods done.

All are in range.

TSH 1.04 (0.35- 5.50)

T4 9.9 (7.86-14.4)

T3 4.8 (3.7-6.0)

My blood draw was at 9.30am.

I left 16 hrs/ 18 hrs from meds ingestion. I don’t change my routine for a blood draw as it always seems to work out to my advantage. It’s just for the Drs as they want to see everything in range.

I’ve never felt so good in decades. Energetic, youthful feelings, no issues at all. Lost 4.5st without trying.

I guess we are all different. I’m a firm believer in keeping my TSH as close to 1.00 as best I can.

I know splitting doses can be a faff but it just all becomes methodical after a short while. I use to set my mobile alarm at first to remind me but now I don’t need that anymore.

I use to be able to take my Levothyroxine on waking in one go but something went wrong then I couldn’t anymore, so I tried splitting it and that worked. T3 has been my silver bullet. I’m a very poor converter and positive DIO2 gene tested. I’m focused also on my vitamins B12, D, folate and ferritin. They are all optimal now treated with supplements and better diet of fresh fruit and veg.

[Foggyk in reply to McPammy]

Thank you. I'm not sure I could have such a complicated regime but it obviously works for you, which is great