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.
Just don't know what to do next....: I was... - Thyroid UK
Just don't know what to do next....
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.
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
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.
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