I recently started on the progesterone only pill to try to even out monthly dips in my symptoms. It’s definitely helped.
My most recents posts on here were because about 3 weeks after starting the pill, my FT3 went sky high and I felt awful. Whilst I was aware the increased progesterone might push up my levels, I didn’t think it would happen that fast and by that much! I reduced from 60mcg to 50mcg and felt better quite quickly.
Since then I’ve slowly increased back to 55mcg and my bloods last week were fab, I’ll attach them.
My query is this: people on T3 only - does anyone keep their level above range? On the couple of occasions that I’ve gone over range, I’ve felt amazing for a while before I’ve felt “over”. On this last occasion, I had actually just commented to my OH that I felt amazing and I was so glad I’d tried these tablets as they’d clearly helped. I’d felt fab for about two weeks before I felt really bad and very much over medicated. But for the interim period I must have been over range but not by as much, and that felt great. And I’ve done that before, but reduced as I was breathless. I didn’t have that this time.
So I wonder if there’s a sweet spot just over range for me. Is there major harm to be done by trying it over the medium term? I will be going for a medical at some point soon as I need a hip replacement, so I’ll more than likely need to make sure I’m in range by then, but if I can test the water before then, I’d like to see if I can feel that well again.
Any advice appreciated!
Written by
Murphysmum
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As you know the excretion of T3 can be decreased when combined with Progesterone
So reducing T3 was correct
Perhaps it just needs time for the body to adjust to the new regime.
This can take several weeks...no quick fix!
We are advised to keep FT3 within range to avoid overmedication.I'm one of a cohort of hypos who has a form of thyroid hormone resistance ( RTH) and need high dose T3.
The dose I need to function ( currently 100mcg) would be very dangerous for anyone without RTH.
My TSH and FT4 are off the bottom of the scale and my FT3 well over.
This understandably worries medics if they don't understand RTH
My GP thought I was killing myself!
Now, she leaves me to it.
My basic heart rate sits around 60bpm and I have no hand tremors or raised basal temp.
It is possible that you could do well with an FT3 very slightly over range but you need to approach that with care and an understanding of how the hormone works.
On T3-only we monitor by signs and symptoms...particularly as the dose increases
Blood tests were not designed for T3-only treatment.
FT3 indicates the level of ( free) T3 in the blood ...but while in the blood T3 is still inactive.
T3 has to reach the nuclei of the cells, via T3 receptors, before it becomes active and does it's work throughout the body.
It is in the nuclei of the cells that T3 becomes active!
For most people this works well and there is no problem
I suspect you are fortunately in this group and may benefit from only a tiny addition to your dose... which possibly nudges FT3 a fraction out of range.
It is trial and error done very slowly in tiny/5mcg increments I'm afraid....been there it takes time.
For those of us with RTH....we need high dose T3 to overcome the resistance
The high dose acts as a " battering ram" against the cell walls.
The force of that large dose ( and that varies from person to person) helps " push" some of the dose into the cells to saturate them and provide adequate active T3 for the body's needs.
The remainder of the T3 left in the blood is metabolised and excreted by bladder and bowel.
So, ultimately it depends on how much T3 reaches the nuclei of the cells from the blood.
Low cellular T3 = poor health.
But, there are no tests to measure cellular T3 which is why we have to rely on symptoms and signs!
So, to answer your question T3 only - how high do you keep your FT3?
It depends on what your body needs!
I haven't had an operation since I started taking T3 so I don't know how a surgical team might view high FT3.
I'd be inclined to keep within range if possible but you will need to discuss any medication you do take as part of the pre-op.
Bottom line...if you choose to " test the waters" do so with care.
Bear in mind I'm not a medic so cannot advise,
This is just my personal experience of T3-only dosing.
It's rediculous that we have to take over the control of our medication from those charged with " First do no harm".
Sorry this is a bit of a long rant but hope it helps.
Just wondering what we’re the symptoms and signs that made you feel the T3 wasn’t getting into the cells? My T3 is high in range but I still have a lot of symptoms.
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