T3 only… & what to do if Dr no longer will prescribe???!

[beaubeau1121]

Hi!

Have been blissfully on 50 to 60mcg of liothyronine daily!

Today… my endo reviewed bloodwork…

T4 was undetectable; Total T3 less than 80 percent/percentile … & TSH .003

I feel great… but ….Dr insists on adjusting w an addition of T4.

What are my options… despite living in a major city such as Los Angeles… I cannot find a dr to prescribe T 3 only … as the body needs T4 … along w risks of afib… etc.

If only I could prescribe my meds… & continue well.

All suggestions/experience will be most appreciated.

Thxxx!

[PPower]

Can you find another doctor? It can be difficult to find one that will prescribe t3 only…

[beaubeau1121 in reply to PPower]

That is why I posted…. I have searched high & low…. to no avail! I am being coerced to add levo/T4!

[PPower in reply to beaubeau1121]

I'm in CA too and find that I have to see a Naturopath or Functional doctor. Are you going that route?

[beaubeau1121 in reply to PPower]

I did try a functional dr… only synthroid!

[Zephyrbear in reply to beaubeau1121]

Just because you’re being coerced into accepting T4 doesn’t mean you have to take it… You can lead a horse to water etc. etc. As long as your T3 dosage doesn’t change (or you can source some from elsewhere) you’ll be fine. It may mean you have to tell a few porkies (little white lies) but who on this site hasn’t had to do that once in a while? Take charge of your own health and if it feels good, don’t change it to conform to some doctor’s ego! You pay through the nose for your medical care in LA and you have the right to be treated properly!

[greygoose]

Plenty of us on here do very well on T3 only. The body does not need T4? Ask your endo what it needs T4 for. I bet he can't answer.

[Alejandrita17 in reply to greygoose]

I tend to think t4 is also needed. Otherwise the body would only make t3, and completely dismiss t4.

[greygoose in reply to Alejandrita17]

No, that's not true, it makes T4 for a reason, sure, but you can live very well without it. Having T4 means that you have a back-up for when extra T3 is needed. It evens out the supply of T3 in a normal, healthy person. And, the system works very well. But, when you're hypo, everything changes, your body works differently, and we have to adapt and do what is best for your body to make it feel as good as it can.

Ideally, we would have both, yes, but some of us just cannot tolerate exogenous T4 and are better off without it.

[beaubeau1121 in reply to greygoose]

You are so helpful!I feel much better reading your reply!

Thank you!!

[greygoose in reply to beaubeau1121]

You're welcome.

[beaubeau1121]

will ask that specific question!!!do you have any detectable T4 & TSH?

[Christa2 in reply to beaubeau1121]

Hi beau. In her post are all the answers.

[Me1157 in reply to beaubeau1121]

When you're getting T3 the TSH is usually 0 at least mine is and has been for many years. If u think of all the T's as being players on the team and the TSH is the coach....when you're taking T3 the coach doesn't have to work as there's nothing for it to do.

[shaws]

If an Endocrinologist has prescribed T3 for you, no-one can withdraw your T3.

I cannot take levothyroxine at all. It gave me awful palpitations and a cardiologist couldn't figure out why.

I also felt far worse initially before I was diagnosed - as not one professional person I paid could diagnose a patient with hypothyroidism. Our 'old-fashioned doctors' could diagnose upon our clinical symptoms alone and we were given NDTs (natural dessicated thyroid hormones).

When T3 was added to my T4, everything calmed down. I didn't awake during the night with horrendous palpitations.

When I took T3 alone my symptoms resolved and I felt well once more and am still symptom-free.

I have now been diagnosed with a condition called 'Polyglandular Autoimmune Disease No.3. I have alopecia, pernicious anaemia and hypothyroidism.

My dose of T3 is 20mcg but one of the doctors (deceased through an accident) was a scientist/researcher/expert on the use of T3. He would never prescribe levothyroxine.

I shall give you a llink to his website.

reboundhealth.com/cms/image...

[radd]

beaubeau1121,

T4 meds are cheaper, more assessable and give back up should thyroid hormones become low, but if you fare better on T3-only then you should continue.

Most do well on T4 or T4/T3 combo but there are members here who take T3-only because of a complete intolerance of Levo and appear to gain more well-being than when medicating T4.

If you wish to buy your own T3 meds and self medicate, write a new post and members will share their source by DM.

[beaubeau1121 in reply to radd]

Thank you!I live in Los Angeles…

& wish I could order T3 meds….like you can in UK

[helvella Administrator in reply to beaubeau1121]

We see quite a few US residents who do purchase T3 from abroad. I'm sure they don't all travel in person!

Is this something that varies by state?

[beaubeau1121 in reply to helvella]

All i know… I tried <redacted overseas source>… & does not ship overseas.

[helvella Administrator in reply to beaubeau1121]

May I suggest you post a specific question - subject line something like "Source of non-prescription T3 for USA resident"? Put any extra information in the body, including saying "Please reply ONLY by private Message."

A moderator will see it and close it to replies on forum to make sure no-one mistakenly posts (rather than PMs) an answer.

[beaubeau1121 in reply to helvella]

Thank you for your care & guidance. Will do!

[Batty1]

If Endo only wants to add T4 to your current T3 take the T4 script fill it and set it aside.

[JackieVest]

What's this about risk of afib??

[Heloise]

Did you get my private message?

[beaubeau1121]

Whoops! Just did & sent a reply. You are so helpful… most grateful