Advice please

[Baggiesfan]

Please can someone advise me please? I had bloods prior to seeing a private consultant who has thankfully agreed to let me try T3. He advised reducing my levothyroxine and starting 5ug three times a day, quartering 20mcg tablets, which I understand. After reading other people's stories on here, now I'm anxious it may be too much and maybe I should not start with 3x a day initially. I struggle with ectopic heartbeats normally and I'm worried I'll get palpitations too. Any reassurance please, I'll try and add my blood results if I can. Sorry not easy to read my results, shall I type them in?

[greygoose]

Really no need to reduce your levo, your FT4 isn't even mid-range. And, taking T3 will reduce it, anyway. In fact, with your FT4 being so low, I'm surprised he didn't increase your levo rather than adding in T3. Could be that you're not a poor converter, just under-medicated.

Be that as it may, now you have the T3, I think you're probably right about the dose being too high to start on. In your place, I would start with 5 mcg for a week, and if that goes well, add in another 5 mcg. Then, if necessary - it isn't always - add in the final 5 mcg after two more weeks.

It could be that your heart problems are due to your low FT3. The heart needs a lot of T3 (compared to other organs) so maybe taking the right dose will get rid of the ectopic heart beats.

[Baggiesfan in reply to greygoose]

Thank you, I think my gut feeling is to add in T3 slowly too and see how I feel. It's difficult when you've paid to see someone then don't really want to follow their advice. I so want to get this right and find "me" again.

[greygoose in reply to Baggiesfan]

Ah, I should have become an endo, it's money for old rope! Just because you pay to see a doctor doesn't mean they're any better than the NHS doctors. They all get the same basic - sub-basic? - training. You might get more attention from them if you pay but there will be the same lack of know-how, I'm afraid. So, if I were you, I'd follow your gut instinct. After all, he's not going to know unless you tell him.

[Baggiesfan in reply to greygoose]

Thanks, yes you should have lol. As a retired nurse I understand that but he is on the thyroid UK list as someone who prescribes T3 so I did think he would be a bit more knowledgeable than the endo's round here who mainly deal with diabetes. I will start slowly and see x

[greygoose in reply to Baggiesfan]

Yes, I understand your thinking. I would have thought the same. I find it incredible that they prescribe something they don't understand and don't know how to dose. It's almost criminal.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can’t read the results - picture very fuzzy

Was test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Total T4 is low

Ft4 only 34% through range

Both suggest you could have higher dose levothyroxine before considering adding T3

Most people when adequately on just levothyroxine with have Ft4 at least 60-70% through range

How much did he suggest you reduce levothyroxine by?

If you do reduce levothyroxine initially when adding T3, you may need to increase levothyroxine back up in 2-3 months

What’s vitamin D, folate and B12 results

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[Baggiesfan in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you very much for your reply. I know it's difficult to read sorry. Yes test taken early, fasting, no levo for over 24 hours.

Currently taking 100mcg every day except Monday and Friday when I take 75mcg and yes always same brand, Eltroxin.

I saw the consultant who you suggested may help in a dm, he said reduce levo to 75mcg and 50mcg respectively.

Vit D now in range, 97 (75-200), I take a 2,000 a day supplement. B12, 326 (145-569) no supplement and folate 11.10, (8.83-60.8) no supplement. Only other supplement is vit k.

I'm so confused now I'm beginning to regret going to see him.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Baggiesfan]

See how you get on

generally only make one change at a time

So starting on T3 is most important

Perhaps Suggest you consider taking a daily vitamin B complex to improve low folate and B12 in few weeks time

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B is a recommended option that contains folate, but is large capsule. You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...