I’ve recently been prescribed a trial of T3 due to poor conversion since starting Levo 2 years ago. (There’s a bit if an overview on my profile.)
My bloods previously at 6 weeks on 100mcg Levo only were:
TSH 2.47 (0.27-4.2)
T3 3.22 (3.1-6.8)
T4 15.9 (12-22)
My Levo had been reduced from going over range in November due to an autoimmune ‘attack’. I’m thinking my increase in TSH was a response to then going undermedicated.
I introduced T3 at 15mcg ( split dose into 3 across the day) and reduced Levo to 75mcg as advised by my Endo 3 weeks ago.
My bloods at the 3 weeks mark are:
TSH 0.8
T3 4.57
T4 12.7
( Same ranges and followed the blood draw protocol with medication)
I’m due a review in 3 weeks and will repeat bloods again, but what might these early bloods indicate for a dose change. Is it too early to tell?
Any experiences from others on introducing T3 and how long it took to get back to feeling well would be gratefully received.
I’ve just had full vitamins tested and awaiting results.
Thank you for taking time to reply. I did get the bloods done before 9am and Levo 24 hours earlier and last dose 5mcg T3 was 11 hours before. I’ve had a negative coeliac a couple of years ago (am GF now 3 months) but I’m awaiting a new screen for this along with one for PA along with all my vits so will update when the results are in.
My last vits tested: Jan 2022
Ferritin 38.7 (13-150)
Magnesium 0.79 (0.7-1)
B12 104 (37.5-150)
Vit D 136 (50-200)
I supplement:
Vit D Better you with K2
Magnesium
Zinc
Omega 3
B Complex (not at the moment due to having frequent blood tests)
Selenium
Turmeric
I always have the same brand of Levo (Almus/ Accord)
I’m definitely feeling improvement in some symptoms and have some days where I can feel an increase in energy, but then have a ‘crash day’ (or 2) and a return of the weakness, joint aches, headaches etc sinus problems. The T3 seems to be improving sleep so I’m very grateful for this as I’ve been sleep deprived for some months.
I’ll update results from vitamins as soon as they are in this week. Thanks again for responding x
Thank you SlowDragon. I’d not had ferritin tested previous to the January one but I know it was requested for the bloods yesterday so it’ll be interesting to see what it looks like. I have a review with my Endo in early April so will ask about a dose increase then. I really appreciate the help- thank you x
Thank you so much for the detailed reply. I’m very grateful as this is a new experience and a big step so it’s reassuring to hear from experienced members.
I have noticed improvements but get set back days as I mentioned to SD. It’s heartening to hear its still early days and there’s a way to go on the T3 journey. As things have been so desperate, I’m sometimes in too much of a rush to see things change. I’ll be honest in that I did jump in straight away with the regimen suggested by the Endo as I was keen to get started. The good news is that I think my flare has subsided (🤞) as there is no way I could have introduced the T3 back in November & December. The fluctuations were wild at that time and it would have been more difficult to track what was going on in my bloods, wouldn’t it?
Thank you for your positive message and the feedback on what might happen next.
It's too early for your hormone levels to have settled and considering that Levo has a half life of 7 days and it takes up to 6 weeks for levels to settle after a dose change, it's likely that your FT4 will reduce even more.
Considering that your FT4 was 15.9 (12-22) before addingT3 then there really was no need to reduce your Levo, just adding T3 is going to do lower your FT4 anyway, combine that with the reduction in Levo dose then you are bound to end up with a very low FT4 level, it has barely scraped into range after 3 weeks so it's possible it will be at the very bottom of the range in a few weeks' time.
Some people are OK with a low FT4 as long as FT3 is in the upper part of it's range, but many need both FT4 and FT3 at decent levels. It's something we have to find out for ourselves by gradual tweaking of doses and noting how we feel. I take Levo plus T3 and if those were my results I'd probably be bedbound with that level of FT4.
Thank you SeasideSusie for the explanation on what’s happened. I’m so new to this all that I’m trying to learn as much as I can so I can get some kind of hold over my health.
It does seem likely then that I’ll need an increase to bring my T4 back up, but I know I don’t cope well with high T4 so I’ll be sure it’s a small increase for the time being.
I do feel undermedicated and very hypo on my bad days so it’s good to hear that a small increase could help towards improving things.
I’m very glad I started the T3 as the overall progress, even in 3 weeks, has been noticeable and I can certainly feel things shifting, even though it’s not consistent.
The first improvement was feeling like someone switched a light on with my cognitive function. I’m still experiencing brain fog, but I have good pockets where it lifts and I can concentrate 👍
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