T4 added to T3 only… repercussions/side effects

[beaubeau1121]

T3 Only vs T3 & T4

Just wondering… if anyone like me… finally enjoyed T3 only…. w dosage gradually increasing to 55/60mcg daily of liothyronine…only for the endo to insist lowering T3 & adding levothyroxine…as I might have unknown long term repercussions… heart, etc.

I was told to drop to 50 then 40mcg liothyronine w 37.5 levothyroxine!

As a result, I am feeling bloated…. headaches after taking levo in am…

& wondering if others have done the same in terms of adding T4 back into the equation……. only to ultimately eliminate the levothyroxine once & for all… & hope a endo exists that will allow T3 only … & prescribe…. my goal for my best life!

Thank you all for all your invaluable shared experiences & expertise.

Best…

[Lalatoot]

greygoose

[jimh111]

It may be a filler in the brand of levothyroxine you are taking, so compare the fillers with those in your liothyronine. The T4 itself isn't a problem as you used to get it from your thyroid. It's possible although unlikely that your bloating is caused by the reduction in T3, you could resume your full liothyroine dose for a couple of days to confirm this is not the cause.

[beaubeau1121 in reply to jimh111]

Thank you! In fact, I have experimented w generic & compounded levo… still headache. However, I think you are so right regarding lowering T3…. think i will add … starting today. As when I would take my T3 dose… the headache would subside. Somehow… I do not have the patience any longer to endure prolonged headaches & bloat to see if I can ultimately tolerate levo better plus the lower T3 dosage prescribed. Thank you! Will try today!!!!!👍👍👍👍

[greygoose]

I have not yet met the endo that could induce me to add levo to my T3! lol I just wouldn't do it.

Right from the start, T4 and I just didn't get on. It didn't appear to be a conversion problem, T4 just made me feel bad. Over the years, I have tried different brands of levo - and thus different fillers - but these were experiments I was glad to see the back of! I always felt so much better when I eliminated the levo and went back to T3 only. And, I don't care what anyone says about T4 being made by your thyroid when it was working correctly, exogenous T4 just doesn't work for me. Not synthetic and NDT even worse.

I once saw an endo who was perfectly happy for me to be on T3 only, but she didn't like the dose I was on - 75 mcg at that time - she wanted me to reduce it by 12.5 mcg, for some unknown reason! lol So, I didn't see her again, I went back to self-treating.

So, just stick to your guns. If you feel better on T3 only, insist on staying on T3 only. I've been doing it for about ten years or so, now. And, so far, no 'unknown repercussions' have raised their ugly heads. And as long as you don't over-dose I don't see why they would.

[beaubeau1121]

You are the best! I have 2 doctors prescribing T3 … so, as long as I can do that I can keep a supply but the blood work is catching up with me. Are you able to private message me with your source? I know others suggested Greece /Mexico…I am going T3 only for next few weeks… & hopefully… stay the course. You give us all strength plus the intellect to make it the smart as well as healthy choice!

[shaws]

Levothyroxine does not agree with my body at all.

It caused awful palpitations especially during the night and I had many overnight recordings and cardiologist was puzzled and was contemplating putting an implant into my heart.

Just around that time some T3 was added to reduced T4 and I immediately felt much better - I then went onto T3 alone and it resolved the palpitations and I felt well again and am now also fortunate to be prescribed it and I had no need for an implant.

My heart is also calm. I hope you also can find a dose that suits your body.

[beaubeau1121 in reply to shaws]

ps… just read your amazing bio… no words!what a journey! i , too… did well after begging for Naturethroid… then, when discontinued… I was given T4 only… & all has never been well until T3 only years later

[beaubeau1121]

I agree. I sleep better. No anxiety/fatigue. Thank you for sharing!

[shaws]

Yes, Yes, Yes - I am one who only recovered their health fully when prescribed T3 alone. If Endocrinologists wont prescribe T3 it is usually due to its cost to the NHS.

I wonder why the NHS cannot purchase lower priced T3 from a country that has proven their T3 is 'good and symptom-free. I also am puzzled by the cost from wherever it is sourced for the NHS in UK.

[beaubeau1121 in reply to shaws]

Thank you! Interestingly enough… generic is cheap & plentiful in Los Angeles.. assume USA. However, the persistence of young drs… now, most endos…with T4 only is not only frustrating but detrimental. Despite my T3 blood level normal… endo said… still too high…. w suppressed TSH…& damage being done to my heart… that will only surface in the years ahead…. blah, blah, blah!Wonder if I pop T4 before the blood test.. if it would register at all? I could keep the T3 prescription coming & only pop Levo the morning of blood work & stop T3 day before?!! The TSH will never rise… but the T3 & T4 blood levels should satisfy .

How crazy to resort to such… but , years later… the truth & the endos’ path has not served me well… as with you!

[shaws]

The very thought of being denied T3 would be enough to give me a stroke.

The fact that doctors - who are supposed to be prescribing what will help the patient - have decided that T4 will be the only prescribed replacement.

I had more palpitations during the night that puzzled the cardiologist who was going to put an implant in heart 'to see what was going on'. I didn't need an implant as T3 resolved the palps and restored my whole health back to 'good'.

[beaubeau1121 in reply to shaws]

Thank you! I have a brother that is a cardiac thoracic surgeon… will share your experience. He seems comfortable with my blood levels & my feeling great… but.. no my dr… cannot prescribe for me