Trial of T3

[Auders]

Good morning lovely knowledgeable people. Hoping this wet Monday morning finds you all well. I am asking for your advice regarding a trial of T3. I have read on here about people being given dreadful advice from their Endos of how to trial this hormone so I was hoping for some advise from you lovely lot. T3 is privately sourced will be 25mcg. I am presently on 75mcg split 50 morning and 25 night. I have CT on the Dio2 test. Latest blood results from MMH are as follows:-

FT3 3.8pmol/L (3.1-6.8) 10/10

FT4 20.2pmol/L [12-22) 10/10

TSH 2.3mu/L (0.27-4.2) 10/10

FT3 4.1pmol/L (3.1-6.8) 25/07

FT4 17.2pmol/L (12-22) 25/07

TSH 3.77mu/L (0.27-4.2) 25/07

Currently taking Thorne B complex and Vit D +MK. Any advise would be gratefully received. I think I have read about reducing dose of Levo before starting T3, also should I do a blood test the day I start so I have a baseline result? Thanking you all

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Was last test done early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test?

Did you stop vitamin B complex a week before test

How much vitamin D are you currently taking

What were most recent vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 results

How long have you been on 75mcg and do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

approx how much do you weigh in kilo?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts can see ferritin is struggling

ferritin checked by GP, dropped from 59 (end July) to 48 uh/l (13.0-150) despite a weekly dose of liver. 

Vitamin D, folate and B12 are good

As your on such small dose levothyroxine, probably don’t reduce levothyroxine. Alternatively week before add T3 reduce dose to 67.5mcg daily (cut 25mcg in half to get 12.5mcg)

Adding T3

Suggest you cut T3 into 1/4’s (use sharp craft scalpel)

Start with just 1/4 dose waking with your morning dose levothyroxine

Save remaining 1/4’s in a pill dispenser for use over coming days

After week or two ….assuming first 1/4 is ok

Add 2nd 1/4 tablet T3 mid - late afternoon

Wait minimum 6-8 weeks and then retest

Day before test, move 2nd dose to 8pm ….assuming test next day is 8am

Likely to see Ft4 drop and Ft3 rise

[Auders in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you so much for advice, much appreciated. Would you suggest a blood test before starting? All tests done as per advice. Still having liver once a week and eating pumpkin seeds for ferritin levels. Got blood test for transferrin next week, GP actually read private blood results! Thanks again 🙏

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Auders]

perhaps wait until had blood test done at GP’s next week before starting

Not really necessary to retest Thyroid levels again before adding T3

You could start on lower dose levothyroxine now …..get blood test done via GP….then start on 1/4 tablet T3 after that blood test

[Auders in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you, I’ll do that