Would I benefit from T3?

[Hypo32]

I will keep this as short as I can.

At my annual blood test in July my t4 was over range at 25 so my thyroxine was reduced from 125 daily to alternating 125/100.

I experienced constant nausea and stomach swelling. A blood test showed a raised ovarian cancer marker but an ultrasound showed that to be false. At that time t4 was 20 and t3 3.6.

As the timing fitted with my reduced dose the GP agreed to put it back up. In the meantime I holidayed in Corfu and purchased t3 over the counter.

Last week my levels were t4 20.4 and t3 5 (TSH has been suppressed all along). These levels seem good but I still suffer with fatigue as I always have done.

I also snore terribly and saw a consultant who could not believe I snored with my airways and my BMI but said I should make sure my thyroid levels are good (that was before I got the above test results).

Does anyone think I would benefit from t3? I’d so how much should I reduce t4 by? Tablets are 25mcg but I can quarter them.

Thanks for reading!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts

You know that cause of your hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto’s

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin at least annually

We need good vitamin levels for good conversion rate

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin levels last tested

Are you on gluten free or dairy free diet

Request GP test vitamin levels

Or test privately

thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test 

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

sleep apnea is linked to Hashimoto’s

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Request assessment at sleep apnea clinic

You might need CPAP machine

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

In the meantime I holidayed in Corfu and purchased t3 over the counter. Last week my levels were t4 20.4 and t3 5 (TSH has been suppressed all along).

Have you been taking T3 ….if so how much

It would probably take several months for levels to alter after stopping T3

[Hypo32 in reply to SlowDragon]

thanks for replying.

Blood draw was 8.30am and about 26 hours after thyroxine, however it is well over a year since vitamins etc were tested (they were ok when they were and I don’t take anything). Thyroxine always comes as Teva.

I have been referred for a sleep study. If that doesn’t show anything I will try and persuade the GP to test the other things again. I am just tired of being tired (and lightheaded).

I haven’t tried t3 yet but I see so many people say they feel better on it.

I thing ranges were 12-22 for t4 and 3.1-6 for t3 so I was in the top end for each.

[Arkenstone in reply to Hypo32]

Re : Sleep Study, there is an ENT Consultant Vik Veer at the RNTNE Grays Inn road ( he is on YouTube) who often has a novel way of treating sleep apnea.

[arTistapple in reply to Arkenstone]

Tell us more! I have what I think is a dodgy diagnosis and have just had my licence taken away. Wonderful considering I can hardly get around as it is.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Hypo32

Last week my levels were t4 20.4 and t3 5

Do you have the reference ranges for these results so that we can interpret them correctly. Just looking at them your conversion seems to be just on the edge of OK

20.4 divided by 5 = 4.08 and good conversion takes place when the ratio of T4:T3 is 4:1 or below.

However, it's crucial to know when you took your last dose of Levo. Last dose should be 24 hours before blood draw so that you don't get a false high or false low FT4. So we need an accurate normal FT4 level to work out your conversion rate.

Also, are your key nutrients at optimal levels, they need to be for thyroid hormone to work properly and good conversion to take place, and they need to be optimal before considering the addition of T3. Optimal levels are

Vit D - 100-150nmol/L

B12 - Total B12 near top of range, if Active B12 is tested then over 100

Folate - at least half way through range

Ferritin - some experts say that the optimal level for thyroid function is 90-110ug/L.

[Helsan]

Hi just to say range 3.1 to 6 normally means top is 6, not 3.6 so you are only just in range. Not at the top. Check vitamins are optimal not just in range. Not sure if you’ve asked for a T3 trial?

[JAmanda]

I guess you won’t know till you try it. Try a quarter, at most, to begin with for a few weeks. It took a bit if getting used to fir me. I was better on 20 than 5 - no idea why but have been able to go down now to 10 or nothing much more easily.

[Hypo32]

I am not 3.6 now, that was in September. Now I am 5.

[Omze]

HiSome thyroid people have optimal conversion of t4 to t3 when they cross the upper limit every day of t4 I.e 22 , below that the conversion will be terrible

If u take t3 , body will first utilise the t3 as it is easily available and then will start converting t4 only if it is greater than 22

So to keep t4 level at 22 , ur t4 level after taking thyroxine should be around 24-25 coz after one day of utilisation it will drop to 22 .

If u go to 25 mcg of t3 only u will require around 60 to 90 mcg to feel good but than u stop thyroxine as well.

If u want to take both than follow the above

Hope this makes some sense