I started taking Propranalol couple of months ago for migraine which has helped a lot after 40 years of suffering. I take T3 T4 combo and have read that Propranalol can reduce T3 which doesn’t seem ideal with Hashimoto’s. Also after starting T3 my insomnia improved but since taking Propranalol my insomnia is back and worse than before. I feel like I’m against a rock and a hard place which is the story of my life!
Can anyone help with these issues please?
Migraine is extremely common hypothyroid symptom
As is acid reflux and insomnia
How much levothyroxine and T3 are you currently taking
Looking at previous posts, 4 months ago 60mcg levothyroxine and 10mcg T3 …..likely under medicated
What are your most recent thyroid results and ranges
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
Are you on absolutely strictly gluten free diet
Yes 62 mcg Levo 10 mcg Lio. Tried higher doses but had worsening palps. Taking magnesium, selenium and vit D with K2.
Gluten free for 5 years.
Here are last results.
Thanks.
Have you tried splitting levothyroxine into two doses
Half in morning and half at bedtime…frequently enables people to increase dose very SLOWLY upwards
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
How are you taking your T3?
As 2 x 5mcg doses at approximately 12 hours apart?
You could try adding 3rd 5mcg and take each dose approximately 8 hours apart
I was stuck on propranolol almost 20 years until on high enough dose levothyroxine and T3 (and optimal vitamin levels and absolutely strictly gluten free) …..more on my profile
Thanks.I haven’t tried splitting dose and not sure it would stop palps. I had high cholesterol and raised BP so bit risky. Yes T3 split 12 hours apart although it’s hard fitting in all meds, really struggling spacing etc even without splitting Levo which has always been same brand... after a fight! T3 results I thought, seem OK though and when I was taking 15 mcg my T3 went over range.
Was your Propranalol for migraines? Mine have been crippling for 40 years tried everything but Propranalol the only thing that has helped.
high cholesterol and raised BP and migraine are all highly likely because you are hypothyroid and under medicated
nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...
If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.
Are you on absolutely strictly gluten free diet?
If not it’s ALWAYS worth trying
Getting coeliac blood test done BEFORE Cutting gluten out
healthline.com/health/migra...
glutenfreeliving.com/gluten...
Propranolol for me was to allow adrenals to rest …but it was all actually because I was severely gluten intolerant (despite absolutely zero gut issues) …..just unable to walk. Gluten free diet was astounding transformation….more on my profile
Thanks.I have read your profile.
If I was undermedicated surely this would show in my results?
I have tried higher doses as I’ve mentioned previously.
When you say strictly do you mean everything completely separate from anything containing gluten? If so my husband would have to be gluten free. I make sure I don’t tough good with gluten when preparing mine but with one kitchen inevitably both will be in same room. I don’t know how I could improve on what I am doing without living in separate homes. I had a test for Coeliac years ago which was negative.
I don’t know what else to do. I am so exhausted with lack of sleep it’s hard to keep trying so many things. Taking tablets is a nightmare, cutting them etc too then remembering which to take when and whether I’ve eaten or drank is driving me mad.
Propranalol doesn't reduce the level of the exogenous T3 you're taking. It reduces the amount of conversion of T4 to T3. So, you might need to increase your dose of T3 - or you might not. 
I found it hard to take 5-15 lio as it gave me head and earache but I then increased to 25 and I felt a lot better but my migraines persisted… I then moved to 32.5 lio in July and haven’t had a migraine since then. My T3 is high but not over range. I also take 112.5 Levo. So for me I think high T3 has stopped the migraines but of course no idea if that will work for you. Also it does seem strange I needed. quite so much lio to get my T3 high.
Thanks.I could never take that much Lio or Levo unfortunately.
It seems that I’m quite different to lots of members.
Being gluten free for 4-5 years hasn’t even made any difference at all.
When were B12, folate and ferritin last tested?
Fast heart rate can be low iron/ferritin
High heart rate can also be under medication ….though more normal to have very slow heart rate
I had to increase levothyroxine very very slowly….took two years to go from 75mcg to 125mcg increasing incredibly slowly.
How much do you weigh in kilo?
On just levothyroxine, guideline dose levothyroxine is 1.6mcg per kilo per day
Adding T3 in, levothyroxine is usually reduced by 25mcg
April 2020:-
B12 - 887 ng/L (190.0-800.0)
Ferritin - 205/L (12.0 - 300.0)
Folate - 17.6 ug/L (3.0 - 17.0)
Weight is 49.3 kg
So 78.8 mcg Levo. Minus 25mcg = 53.8 mcg. Therefore I am taking more than this @ 60 mcg
So you are very slight/petite
Probably not going to tolerate any higher dose….but your Ft4 is low
How much levothyroxine were you taking before T3 was added?
Yes weight is an issue with dosing.In Jan 2019 Levo was increased to 75 mcg. Then by summer 2019 it was reduced to 60mcg. T3 started Oct 2020 with Levo then reduced to 50 mcg. Then increased to 60.7 Dec 2020.
In July this year 2021 both T3 and T 4 results lowest they’ve been since 2017. No idea why.
Thanks ☺️
Taking any T3 significantly reduces TSH…..low/suppressed TSH results in your own thyroid output stopping almost completely
So you become even more dependent on replacement thyroid hormones
On just levothyroxine….guidelines would suggest you probably needed 75-80mcg levothyroxine per day
Then by summer 2019 it was reduced to 60mcg.
Why was dose reduced?
Not too sure I’m afraid.
Propranolol can inhibit the effective functioning of the thyroid, blocking production of T3, and tending to increase the likelihood of returning to hypothyroid levels. However, I know of many hypo people on this medication, some of whom simply need an increase in thyroid meds to compensate. As a migraine sufferer many years ago, propranolol was an absolute lifesaver; I simply could not have done without it. Back on it again, but now hypo it has actually not affected my levels at all. If you need it, then you need it, with the possibility of having to increase your levo dosage a small price to pay, in my opinion. Regarding gluten, if you are sensitive to it, inflammation will occur, as with any food or product you cannot tolerate. One of my daughters, who is coeliac, has been gluten-free for years, but that did not prevent her developing Hashimoto's recently. Yes, being strictly gluten-free is not easy, as in the kitchen you need to use separate preparation utensils and containers, work surfaces and ovens/toasters, etc., although she does use the family crockery and cutlery as long as it hasn't been contaminated by handling. Her husband has to prepare meals and packed lunches for their children, although main family meals are always gluten-free. It is not an easy lifestyle to follow, as it does not just involve eating gluten-free food, as many seem to think. Quite simply, if you have a medical need to do it, you have no choice, but some people find they feel better following this regime, maybe because they then cut out a lot of the processed foods that are not particularly good for us! For me, I am more affected by the type of wheat and the cooking method than by gluten itself, and, as for propranolol, I need that medication by my side. I hope you will be able to sort things out.
Thank you.Just to clarify I wasn’t taking Propranalol when my T3 and T4 levels dropped. I’ve only been taking it for a couple of months.As I have Hashimoto’s it does mean that because of fluctuations I would sometimes have high levels and sometimes low making it difficult to achieve correct dosage and levels.
Your Ft4 is now very low
Request endocrinologist consider trialing small increase in levothyroxine
On propranolol you won’t get palpitations
High cholesterol suggests under medicated
Propanalol can cause insomnia unfortunately quick google will tell you that. I took it for 3 days after I had an episode but took myself straight back off it. Is there anything else you could try?
Thank you.Not really as It’s the best one for migraines.Only thing I can do is try to convince my GP to switch to slow release Propranalol which obviously will be more expensive.
Where did you read that propranolol can reduce T3?
Zazbag
Propranolol links
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/168...
labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...
Drugs that may decrease PTH include cimetidine and propranolol.
Reverse T3 question
Self medicating with T3 to clear RT3 - updated results but still not well...
Advice regarding a adding bit of T3!
is T3 working? 
