Not so Quick Question

[Batty1]

Im currently taking 100mcg T4 an 10mcg T3 per day (I split my doses taking them twice a day) …

5am: 50mcg/5mcg

2pm: 50mcg/5mcg

Ive been doing this for a pretty long time and without any issues but over the past couple of months I have noticed around 3am Im wide awake with what I feel is anxiety or anxious feeling, I just feel unsettled.

Anyway, 6 months ago my endo gave me and extra 50mcg levo and recently he gave me another 50mcg levo and both are to be taken on the weekend, which I did this weekend and the first 50 was fine (been on this without issues) then after the first half of the second pill I started to feel anxious it was a monster… so I did not take the 2nd half of that last pill.

Anyway, Ive been having this exact type of anxious feeling at bedtime that wakes me every night at roughly 3am (it’s horrible) BUT as soon as I take my 5am pills I fall asleep and my anxious feelings disappear and Im fine for the rest of the day UNTIL roughly 3am (its like ground hog day) over and over ..sucks.

Do you think I would benefit by taking and extra 25mcg T4 before bed ? My endo did say next time he sees me he will up my T3 but I don’t hold my breath for this to happen.

[Lalatoot]

Batty That's about the time I used to wake up feeling very ill and poisoned when I was on levo only. Sorry I have no explanation for it.Have you tried moving your 2pm dose to just before bedtime?

I am on 50mcg levo and 5mcg lio on waking and 50mcg levo and 2.5mcg lio at bedtime. This leaves me the whole day to fit in vitamins etc. I find it suits me.

[Batty1 in reply to Lalatoot]

I have tried T4/T3 at bedtime but had issues and went back to the AM and Afternoon split and had been fine until a couple of months ago … Also my TSH had raised for some reason and Im not certain if this could be the cause … Im thyroid-less if this even matters.

[Lalatoot in reply to Batty1]

I started to look at the rhythms of TSH and T3 wondering if they were the source of the problem. TSH peaks midnight to 2am wish and T3 peaks around 4am. Never came to any conclusions.

[Batty1 in reply to Lalatoot]

Im not sure either and it just seems odd to me that my issues would start a couple of months ago. My next blood test isn’t for a couple of months which at that point I will order and pay for my own FT3 test since these so called Endos see no value in this test.. agh.

I wonder if my TSH has jumped again use to be really low and suddenly jumped to 1.66 and of course Endo sees no problem 🤦🏻

[Anthea55]

Just a brief comment. Levo is a storage hormone and doesn't do anything until it is converted to the active hormone, T3. There doesn't seem to be any benefit in taking it more than once a day; it's a bit like the petrol (gas) tank in your car - you don't need to refill every time you take the car out. Maybe you would be better off taking all your levo once a day.

[Batty1 in reply to Anthea55]

Yes I understand but I can not take my T3 in one sitting it definitely caused me issues which is how I settled on splitting the dose without any issues at all and actually splitting it allowed me to not suffer the afternoon slump.

[Anthea55 in reply to Batty1]

I'm not suggesting taking T3 in one sitting. You can split that as at present.

[Lalatoot in reply to Anthea55]

I have never been able to take my levo in one dose - always taken 2 doses. That way you reduce the spike of a high dose entering the system.

[radd]

Batty1,

The anxiety sounds like your adrenals are stepping in to compensate for the T3 ups & down, even on such a small dose. You could do with splitting your T3 dose into 3 but on 10mcg a day that’s going to be tricky.

As well as smooth levels of T3 we also want cortisol to be following a normalised circadian pattern and although it may appear far removed from your present issues you may find regulating blood sugars help not only with your utilising of T3 but sleeping better.

Waking constantly between 2-4 am can be caused by the liver lacking glycogen reserves that are required for conversion by the adrenals to keep blood glucose levels high throughout the night. Snacking on a (gluten free) whole grain cracker/bread & peanut butter before bed (or during the night) will help.

Diet is massive as low adrenal hormones can fail to raise blood glucose level enough to meet T3 demands. Eating small regular meals with low GI carbs, healthy fats and protein at every meal (even breakfast) helped me both support adrenals & utilise T3 better. Peaks & troughs of both glucose & T3 quickly levelled out.

Also, if you crave salt, have some. It is the adrenals suboptimal sodium retention due to possible low aldosterone levels (responsible for regulating sodium/potassium absorption).

[Batty1 in reply to radd]

Thank you

[shaws]

Why not trial one daily dose. If we split doses our day is taken up if we don't feel well or remembering a second dose. I doubt we'd be able to take it at exactly the same time.

Regarding T3 I followed one of Thyroiduk's scientist/doctor/expert on T3 and he himself took his T3 in the middle of the night so that nothing interfered with its uptake.

I take T3 when I awake, with one glass of water and wait an hour before I eat. I have a perfectly normal day with no symptoms. I feel well too which is the main aim of replacement thyroid hormones. On levothyroxine I was always unwell. Everyday was an effort.

Dr Lowe took T3 himself - in the middle of the night so that nothing interfered with its uptake. He was also a scientist/researcher/expert in T3. He also said that T3 has to 'saturate' all of the T3 receptor cells that send out 'waves' throughout the day.

[Batty1 in reply to shaws]

Hi Shaws, I like the splitting of meds because of issues I had taking them once. I guess its easy to forget however I have a watch with alarms so far hasn’t been an issue. I did take 1/2 of a 50mcg last night to see if this helped but it didn’t and may try again tonight.