I managed to source some Turkish Tiromel OTC - a friend was on holiday there - and started taking it on 23rd July. First 4 tablets as quarters (6.125mcg), subsequently as halves (12.5mcg), using a big kitchen knife to cut them, they seem to split evenly. So I've had 12 days on 6.125 mcg and 85 days on 12.5mcg (corrected!), if my maths is right. I kept my T4 at 125mcg. Mercury Pharma, always.
Anyway... results in from Medichecks show my T3 Levels have shot up, which is great news. But, I'm not feeling much different in myself.
T3 5.5 pmol/L (range 3.1 - 6.8) 62% of range, in the past never more than a third through range.
T4 18.0 pmol/L (range 12 - 22) 60% of range, a bit lower than usual - usually between 19 and 22
TSH 0.04 mU/L (range 0.27 - 4.2), usually at the lower end, and it's been below range before, but never that low.
Active B12 121 pmol/L (range 37.5 - 150) I was supplementing, this is the highest it's ever been
Vit D 77 nmol/L (Range 50 - 200) I am supplementing, this is the highest it's ever been, in February it was at 25.
Antibodies are so low they don't think I have any problems! 3 tests since Feb have been very consistent - am I cured? (Joke!)
CRP HS 3.89 mg/L (range 0 - 5). Highest it's ever been, I was recovering from a horrible bug (not Covid) that gave me a chest infection and needed antibiotics in the end
Folate and Ferritin - They couldn't get a sample for these. It could have been my treacly blood, or it could have got held up in the post. They sent me a free repeat test, I tried again, it was worse, I could not get enough to ooze out even after 3 stabs and following all the instructions. I gave up in total frustration. I will pay the extra to have a professional do it next time.
So, my question is - should I try increasing to 25mcg (full tablet), or take 12.5mcg twice a day? If so, should I reduce my T4 (currently dose 125mcg)?
I'll get some more B12 (stopped it as I knew the blood test was coming up) and continue with the other Vits.
As I mentioned, I'm not feeling any real difference, which is disappointing as I had my hopes up. I am sleeping badly, and snoring, I was hoping to lose some weight and I haven't. I have plenty of T3 - about 150 tabs left, so 5 months' supply if I take one a day.
Thank you for reading this and any thoughts you have!
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ThyroidCurious
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Only increase T3 by 1/4 of a tablet at a time, retesting after 6-8 weeks minimum, don't increase from 1/2 to a full tablet.
You'll have to experiment with tweaking doses to find your sweet spot, it can be a long frustrating journey with Levo plus T3 to find the right combination . I wouldn't reduce Levo at this stage if you increase T3.
I'll get some more B12 (stopped it as I knew the blood test was coming up) I'll get some more B12 (stopped it as I knew the blood test was coming up)
You don't need a separate B12 supplement, your B12 level is very good. B Complex maybe but certainly not B12
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I would add another 6.25mcg to your 12.5mcg T3 dose and test again after at least 6 weeks on a steady dose
With FT3 at 65% through ref range you have room to increase
12.5mcg is not a particularly large dose
So long as FT3 remains within range AND you have no symptoms of overmedication... you are unlikely to be overmedicated
Maintain your T4 dose of 125mcg meantime. If you reach 25mcg T3 you might consider a slight reduction.
In any case adding T3 usually lowers both FT4 level and TSH....that's normal.
For my (rare) thyroid problem I need high dose T3-only and it took me roughly 2 years before I realised I was feeling better! My TSH and FT4 are on the floor!
Your Vit D is on the low side.......but good work in improving your level...aim for closer to 100 nmo./L
Are you adding co-factor vit K
Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.. There’s a version containing vitamin K2 Mk7. One spray = 1000iu
Finding your therapeutic dose of thyroid medication can involve a lot of trial and error and dose tweaking.... so go slowly
You won't find out what you need if you don't try!
Thank you, I will give that a go. Is that on an empty stomach each time?
Ferritin was 102 in Feb and 95 in June this year (Range 13-150). I just got some Spatone liquid iron, which also needs to be taken on an empty stomach - I guess I should take it away from the T3 doses?
I've been thinking about the extra quarter tablet, and I'm wondering about taking half in the morning, quarter at bedtime. The reasons are that splitting the tablets evenly is a nightmare. They split into halves pretty well as they are scored into halves, but getting equally sized quarters is impossible and quite a lot breaks off into dust, which is wasteful (I want every crumb!). Also I have very intense days, and often lose track of time, but could easily add the extra in before bed. I am thinking of starting that tonight and seeing how it goes. But if 3 doses is better I could manage it. Would appreciate your thoughts.
Disturbed sleep will have a detrimental effect on your general health, your ability to lose weight and the way in which your body utilises any form of hormonal supplement. Have you been investigated for sleep apnoea or sinus problems? The reason for your sleep disturbance and snoring should be addressed by your GP, so please discuss this with them.
My other half has sleep apnoea. I hate the idea of a CPAP machine, like he has, so I've not raised it with the GP for that reason, and was hoping T3 might help my metabolism and reduce my weight. Maybe it's sinus trouble, my sinuses aren't great. Thank you for your help, I will make an appointment. I have to MOT the car soon and I'm taking a day off for that, so can get myself MOT'd at the same time!
Yes that’s right, Thyroxine in the first instance. Since diagnosis I’ve never had any sinus problems and it really was bad. I’m convinced it was the lack of treatment for thyroid. I also think tooth decay was also implicated in lack of thyroid hormones or Hashimoto’s.
I wouldn’t be surprised. I always got terrible sinus pain after any virus. Really blocked up, the Doctor sympathised, he said if you dropped a tenner you wouldn’t pick it up the pain was so great and I agreed.
That MOT remark made me laugh!😁 I agree that CPAP machines are no fun, I know several people who rely on them. If you have a physical problem that affects sinuses and results in snoring like a deviated septum or soft palate issues they need addressing. If something like weight or inflammation is the cause, then optimal treatment of your hypothyroidism could help. Hope you get your MOTs!!
Thank you! Our GP has a daft system where you can only book an appointment on the day, and they never have any. I am going to write in and say it's impossible to do that when working, and can they fit me in on my day off?
I didn’t sleep until I went on hrt. Also take magnesium citrate that helps sleep.It’s Biotin you leave off before thyroid tests and it’s in b complex usually. 😎
Thank you, MaryMary7! I've never tried HRT... maybe I should. I will get magnesium citrate and try it. Thanks for the comments on Biotin and B complex!
Be aware that magnesium citrate also helps with constipation…. which I need, but you can get other forms of it if that’s all working ok for you🤣 such as magnesium malate forms. Just check that first.
There are lots of magnesium forms. Use Dr Google I don’t want to encourage any embarrassing problems. I don’t know if Malate also does that but got a feeling I remember it was an ok one. Mary 😀
hate to say it but I sleep way better when I haven’t scoffed 85% chocolate in front of the TV and especially since my diet and nutrition has improved. Apparently overload of gut bacteria can wake you in the night too. 🦋💚🦋
I misread your reply at first and thought it said "I sleep way better when I have scoffed 85% chocolate". Disappointed when I read it again... I do need to look at my nutrition - try again to take out gluten and dairy.
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