T3 testing - not enough?

[ThyroidCurious]

Hi everyone!

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!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

ThyroidCurious

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

[ThyroidCurious in reply to SeasideSusie]

Brilliant, thank you!

[greygoose]

So I've had 12 days on 6.125 mcg and 85 days on 6.25mcg,

I think there must be a typo in there somewhere. It's not clear how much you're taking at the moment.

[ThyroidCurious in reply to greygoose]

Good spot! 85 days on 12.5mcg, sorry. I've edited the post, thanks!

[greygoose in reply to ThyroidCurious]

Click on the downward-facing arrow under your post and then click on 'Edit'. That will take you back to the page where you first wrote your post. Then, makes your changes and click on 'Post'.

[DippyDame]

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!

Good luck

[ThyroidCurious in reply to DippyDame]

Thank you very much, DippyDame! I will be going out and getting your recommendations this week - thanks!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Try taking T3 as 3 x 1/4 tablets at roughly equal 8 hour intervals

Adding separate Vitamin B complex

You do need ferritin tested

Has this been low in the past

[ThyroidCurious in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Slow Dragon

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?

Thank you!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ThyroidCurious]

Ferritin looks fine

I wouldn’t ever take any iron supplements without getting full iron panel test done

medichecks.com/products/iro...

Yes ideally T3 empty stomach and nothing apart from water for at least 45mins after (ideally)

I split my levothyroxine twice day - waking and bedtime

T3 split 3 times …..Waking, mid afternoon and bedtime

I set alarm for 6.30am, take levothyroxine and T3 …..go back to sleep. Wake up 7.30-8am…..that way can immediately have cup of tea (with oat milk)

[ThyroidCurious in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon

Thanks again! I need to schedule all the different supplements and meds, clearly... and remove dairy milk from my tea.

Thank you!

[ThyroidCurious in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon

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.

Thank you!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ThyroidCurious]

Some people can tolerate as 2 doses …or even a single dose …..others can’t

Personally I can only tolerate as 3 doses

Use a sharp craft scalpel

or pill cutter to cut into 1/4’s

Eg scalpel

scalemodelshop.co.uk/10pk-n...

Yes mop up any crumbs with damp finger

[SlowDragon Administrator]

can see previous post ferritin was good

Post from 4 years ago shows extremely high thyroid antibodies

Both TPO and TG antibodies

So even if antibodies now low, you still have Hashimoto’s

Are you still on strictly gluten free diet or tried dairy free diet

[ThyroidCurious in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Slow Dragon,

Yes, although the antibodies have gone down I know I still have Hashi's and I was joking when I asked if I am cured of it!

I am not strictly gluten free and I still eat dairy. I know I shouldn't.

[Partner20]

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.

[ThyroidCurious in reply to Partner20]

Thank you partner!

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!

[Marymary7 in reply to ThyroidCurious]

I used to get terrible sinus trouble until I discovered my thyroid problems 😀

[ThyroidCurious in reply to Marymary7]

Hi MaryMary7 - was it getting meds that helped your sinuses?

[Marymary7 in reply to ThyroidCurious]

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.

[ThyroidCurious in reply to Marymary7]

That is really interesting! I usually get sinus issues whenever I get a bug but didn't with a recent bug. Maybe T3 is helping with that.

[Marymary7 in reply to ThyroidCurious]

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.

[Partner20 in reply to ThyroidCurious]

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!!

[ThyroidCurious in reply to Partner20]

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?

[Marymary7]

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. 😎

[ThyroidCurious in reply to Marymary7]

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!

[Marymary7 in reply to ThyroidCurious]

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.

[ThyroidCurious in reply to Marymary7]

I never get constipation - so maybe I should go for magnesium malate on that basis. Thank you!

[Marymary7 in reply to ThyroidCurious]

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 😀

[ThyroidCurious in reply to Marymary7]

Thanks Mary - I'll go carefully!

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

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. 🦋💚🦋

[ThyroidCurious in reply to Regenallotment]

Hi Regenallotment!

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.

Must try harder!

[Regenallotment Ambassador in reply to ThyroidCurious]

yeah it’s a bore, but feeling better is the reward. 🦋💚🦋

[ThyroidCurious in reply to Regenallotment]

I sometimes do better at avoiding gluten, not so much recently. Need to steel myself to do it...