Adding t3

[ter1461]

I am on 50 mg of t4 and have very low t3 so now looking at adding some t3 in. How much would be a normal amount to add as it’s at the bottom of the range and should I also reduce t4? I’m on tirosint which is oil so the capsule can’t be split

[tattybogle]

Hi ,the answers would depend on what your fT4 result is on 50mcg. And also on whether you have already tried an increased dose of Levo, and what the fT4 and fT3 results were if you did .

Since 50mcg Levo is only a small dose, you might find an increase in Levo will increase your fT3 without you having to go to the trouble of adding any T3 separately.

[shaws Administrator]

25mcg of T3 is equal (approx) to 100mcg of T4 (levothyroxine). You could start off by quartering the 25mcg tablet and always take thyroid hormones with one glass of water and don't eat for at least one hour after T3. You can also take a T4/T3 together.

You can get a pill splitter if you wish and this is the one I use and find it does split well.

amazon.co.uk/Safe-Sound-Pil...

Your stomach has to be empty when taking thyroid hormone replacements.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

ter1461

I agree with tattybogle . It's impossible for anyone to give you any guidance unless we see your actual results with their reference ranges so if you can post those, also tell us when you took your last dose of Tirosint before the test, you'll get appropriate suggestions.

50mcg is just a starter dose for Levo so it's possible that you may not be on a high enough dose of Tirosint or that your nutrient levels aren't optimal which is needed for thyroid hormone to work properly.

Have you got current results for:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[SlowDragon Administrator]

50mcg levothyroxine is only a standard STARTER dose levothyroxine

Dose levothyroxine should be increased slowly upwards in 25mcg steps until symptoms are improved, Ft4 and Ft3 at least 50-60% through range

Essential to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Please add most recent thyroid and vitamin results and ranges

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