Just don't know what to do next....

[Zadock]

I was feeling so well on 62mcg levo and 15mcg T3 since June. But in the last few days my heartbeat became irregular (like missing a beat) quite frequently and especially at night of when I'm sitting. At first I thought perhaps I was over-medicated - recent results were TSH 0.03 (0.27-4.2) T3 5.81 (3.1-6.8) T4 16.5 (12-22) which I felt was good and T3 had never been above 1/3 through the range before. So I dropped the afternoon dose of T3 the day before yesterday and am now feeling dreadful! And there's no change in the irregular heartbeat. I'm getting an ECG today but am wondering if I did the right thing in reducing the T3. I have found before with any T3 dose change it takes time for the body to adjust so do I persevere or am I just making myself feel worse? I feel hypo now with no energy, insomnia, headache etc. I know this will be familiar to lots of you so would love to have your advice. Thanks as always.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Immediately following a dose reduction in particular I can feel terrible. That should level off after a few weeks and maybe even sooner as it was T3. pretty sure it's just the body adjusting to less thyroid hormone.

I'm no expert so will let someone else say if it was the right thing to do. How are your vitamin levels looking? It could just be that they need tweaking.

[Zadock in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you Jaydee1507. I think they are good but I'll try to bring forward getting them retested. This doesn't get any easier does it!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Zadock]

Nope. It really doesn't get any easier! Fingers crossed for you that this is sorted soon.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts

You have Hashimoto’s.

Are you on strictly gluten free diet

FT4: 16.5 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22)

Ft4 is only 45.00% through range

FT3: 5.81 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8)

Ft3 73.24%

Possibly you need Ft4 higher

Reducing dose T3 by 5mcg (you already done) and perhaps try small increase in levothyroxine to 75mcg daily

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Have you tried splitting levothyroxine into two doses….half waking and half at bedtime

[Zadock in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon. That is what I was thinking so it is very reassuring that you say the same. Would you wait before increasing levo, or do it right away? I was unsure. I take Mercury Pharma and always get the same brand. I tried taking some at bedtime on one occasion and then couldn't sleep, so am reluctant to try that again. But I could try some in the afternoon. Thanks for your help.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Zadock]

In theory we should only make one change at a time

So …reducing T3 dose and waiting 6-8 weeks

But I might be tempted to increase levothyroxine

What times do you take T3?

Waking and bedtime?

Or does T3 keep you awake

Many of us find it improves sleep taking small dose T3 at bedtime

[Zadock in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes it is tempting to try. Next task then will be to persuade my GP! I take T3 on waking and at bedtime, and was sleeping pretty well until this latest blip.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Zadock]

Explain to GP you are experimenting with less T3 …but need to try increasing levothyroxine back up a bit higher

[Zadock in reply to SlowDragon]

And yes I am on a strictly gluten free diet.