My Dxa scan results are as follows (no ranges on the print out)
2 - score lumbar spine= -2.4
2 - score total hips= -2.0
2 - score neck of femur= -1.8
Below the expected range for age at the lumbar spine, borderline at the total hip and within the expected range for the age of the neck of femur.
I’m supplementing with a good VIT D and K2 and shall retest in 3 months.
My Thyroid results:
TSH <0.01 mU/L Range 0.35 - 4.94
FT4 13.4 pmol/L Range 9.0 - 19.1
FT3 6.1 pmol/L Range 2.4 - 6.0
The Endo wants me to reduce my 100mcg of T4 to 75mcg and keep my 25mcg of T3. She just wants my TSH to be 0.01 or above as she thinks the suppressed TSH is not helping with my bone density.
Would I be better to reduce my T3 to 20mcg (5mcg reduction daily) rather then my T4?
Any thoughts or help would be amazing. I don’t feel over medication and still feel tired in the mornings. I’m so scared to reduce my meds but done want my bone density to decrease.
Thanks
Linz
Written by
Lindsayf
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I take all my T4 and T3 together, upon waking. Bloods were taken at 9am and there was 24 hours between last Levo and 12 hours for T3 before blood test.
Ive taken the same brand of T4 and T3 for the last few years. I take 25mcg of Grossman T3. Would it be okay to start taking 20mcg of mercury pharma t3 or do I need to ween off one brand to go onto another brand?
VIT D 53 nmol/L and range is 50-120
I take 8 drops of VIT D and K2 of Nature Provides.
I recently had my B12, Ferritin and folate done and I need to dig out the results.
I’m going to buy some Magnesium as I’m not currently taking any,
You could cut your 25mcg T3 in to half and 2 x 1/4
Save 1/4 for next day
Only ideally ever change one thing at a time
So initially keep taking as single dose, same brand….just 1/4 tablet less
Retest in 6-10 weeks
You could then as separate experiment……try splitting T3 as 1/4 tablet approx every 8 hours
Retest in further 6-10 weeks
And as another separate experiment, (assuming you stay on splitting T3) ……..also try splitting levothyroxine …..as two smaller doses. Waking and bedtime……alongside T3
Thanks for that… I’ve tried splitting my T3 dosage but as I graze and drink tea throughout the day, I struggle to have an empty stomach and time it with all my other supplements and iron tablets. When I take them in the morning as a single dose, I find it so much easier.
The Endo wants me to reduce my 100mcg of T4 to 75mcg and keep my 25mcg of T3. She just wants my TSH to be 0.01 or above
All that will achieve is an FT4 level lower than it already is. It's the T3 that's suppressing your TSH, it's just what it does, I'm amazed that doctors who are willing to prescribe/supervise T3 have no idea what it actually does.
she thinks the suppressed TSH is not helping with my bone density.
Suppressed TSH causing osteoporisis is a myth see 7 myths of hypothyroidism on ThyroidUK's website and scroll down to
The myth that a suppressed TSH leads to Osteoporosis
Thanks They sure know how to scare people. It’s been a consistent battle with my suppressed TSH. I’m going to reduce from 25mcg to 20mcg to see if that helps and brings my FT3 levels in range.
Can I stop taking one brand and take a new brand the next day or does that cause issues?
Can I stop taking one brand and take a new brand the next day or does that cause issues?
All you can do is try it. Whether it causes issues is something you have to see yourself, nobody can tell you. The active ingredient (T3) will be the same, it's the fillers in different tablets that cause problems.
I would try reducing your LT3 dose first and see how you go. If you have problems then swap over and try reducing the LT4. Your fT4 is around average so from a numbers point of view it seems reasonable to stay on the same dose.
It will take a long time for your bone density to improve (relatively for your age group) but exercise will help. I assume they have considered the effects of girly hormones on bone density, I've no knowledge on this.
yes, I’m going to reduce my T3 by 5mcg. I have no idea if they take that into account to be honest and they haven’t mentioned anything. They just told me to start taking VIT D. I just don’t want my bone density to get any worse
If you feel well in yourself on the dosage you’re on, why do you need to reduce anything? You’re taking T3 which in itself will reduce your TSH below range (I hate the word ‘suppressed’) but your FT3 is good and your FT4 is only just within range. And as Seaside Susie says, the ‘link’ between T3 and osteoporosis is a mythological one!
By all means, play around with dosages if you think it’s necessary, but my advice would be to go by how you feel and not by the numbers your doctor feels comfortable with on your blood test.
I think I’ve scared myself because my bone density scan has shown that I have reduced density in my lumbar spine and boarder line in my hips. I’ve been having a bad lower back recently and I think it all just scared me to think is the suppressed TSH causing this. If my scan has come back okay then I would have remained on the same dosage. My FT3 is just over range so I thought if I reduced my T3 slightly would that help bring it back into range and increased my TSH a bit. I know it’s a myth but I’ve scared myself.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
They sure know how to scare people. It’s been a consistent battle with my suppressed TSH. I’m going to reduce from 25mcg to 20mcg to see if that helps and brings my FT3 levels in range. 
Should I increase my T4 or stop T3
Should i reduce my t3
Endo wants me to reduce T3 and raise T4
Come into a ward round with me please? What dose of t3 and t4 should I aim for?
Should I worry about suppressed t3
