T3 Only?

[Jackie101]

Has anyone moved to T3 only and had success? I've been on Levothyroxin since diagnosis in 2006. i've never felt right, and never worked F/t after 2007. After I left work in 2017, I was diagnosed with CFS/ME.

My Doctor isn't interested in testing for ft3, or prescribing it. 'We don't do that' she said. I've been taking half a tab of Tiromel T3 for a couple of years, but again I experience the usual crashes if I do too much..

TIA

[fuchsia-pink]

There are a number of people here - like greygoose - who are happy on lio-only and others - like me - who are happy on lio/levo combo. It's all about what works for YOU and finding your personal "sweet spot" meds-wise.

Best first step is to do full testing - TSH, free T4, free T3 and key nutrients - ferritin, folate, vit D and B12 - privately if the GP won't, and post the results here, plus related lab ranges (which vary from lab to lab) so the lovely people here can help you to feel properly well

[Jackie101 in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Brilliant thanku. My Dr won't do the testing. Can you recomend somewhere I can have them done which wont cost break the bank?😀Cheers

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Jackie101

As fuchsia-pink says, you really need full thyroid/vitamin testing so that we can get the full picture to be able to help. Also, to get the most accurate results do the test as follows:

* Blood draw no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, an increase in dose of Levo or to avoid a reduction then we need the highest possible TSH

* Nothing to eat or drink except water before the blood draw. This is because eating can lower TSH and coffee can affect TSH.

* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw. Adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.

* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 3-7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (most labs use biotin).

These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with phlebotomists or doctors.

Post results, including reference ranges, when you have them and tell us what thyroid meds you are taking. Only do the test if you've been on the same dose for 6-8 weeks, if you have changed your dose wait until 6-8 weeks have passed.

The most popular thyroid/vitamin bundles are:

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[Jackie101]

Brilliant thanku! I'm definitely going to look into this and get a full test done!!👍👍

[Jackie101]

I don't know if these are conclusive at all..

results

[Jackie101]

The TSH had been done by my GP, which was borderline high. She told me to reduce the amount I take, at w/e's only by 25mcg. I usually take 125mcg Levothyroxin, and 12.5mcg, T3 Tiromel.

Iv'e also reduced the amount of B12 I take - usually i take 1000mg, in oral form.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

with thanks

Results 2

[pennyannie in reply to Jackie101]

If your TSH is high it is actually a signal that you need more thyroid hormones and not a dose decrease :

Your inflammation is very high as is your ferritin - has your doctor commented on these ?

Is your blood test T3 and T4 above including T3 or from when on T4 monotherapy ?

[Jackie101 in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you for having a look! Yes I did as I was told for 1 w/e then carried on as normal. I've not sent them to the Dr, but not long after the tests, I came down with a chest infection. Could that be the inflammation? Not sure what the significance of the high ferratin is.. ??

[pennyannie in reply to Jackie101]

High inflammation and high ferritin can be linked - but it needs your doctor to assess if further tests are needed on the ferritin level :

Are you supplementing ferritin ?

So these results are on T3/T4 combo ?

TSH rises when the body sense undermedication., not over medication.

and we generally feel at our best when our TSH towards the bottom of the range.