Taking T3

[MightyMay]

Hello Everyone...I just have a very simple question. I take 175 mcg Synthroid. My Endocrinologist has given me Liothyronine as my T3 is not up to par and I am symptomatic. He has given me 5mcg tablets to be taken 3 X's a day. I started slow taking 1 for 2 weeks and now 2 for 2 weeks. I would like to now take the third tablet. I would like to know how do you take T3 . I have been taking it at 7:30 am and 7:30 pm. Now that I'm taking the third, how do I fit it in ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

move to 3 doses roughly at equal 8 hour intervals

Waking, mid afternoon and bedtime

[MightyMay in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank You SlowDragon.

[Lalatoot]

Mighty May I tried taking 3 doses - first thing, around 3 -4 pm and bedtime - but it didn't fit in with my routine. I like a cup of tea and a biscuit mid afternoon. so I take 2 doses - morning and bedtime. It works for me. I take the bigger dose in the morning.

[MightyMay in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you for your response Lalatoot. Are you saying that you would take 10 mcg in the morning and 5 mcg at bedtime.

[Lalatoot in reply to MightyMay]

Yes.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

it’s trial and error what works for each person

I found I couldn’t tolerate only two doses per day

So I do still take 5mcg T3 as 3 doses per day

Afternoon dose typically approx 2pm - 3pm …..time varies to fit around lunch/tea etc . Some days it might be 1.45pm ….but if out for proper lunch and not finished until around 1.30-2pm …..would take late around 5pm

I also split my levothyroxine as half dose waking with 5mcg T3 and remaining half at bedtime with last 5mcg

[DippyDame]

Unfortunately there is no simple answer!

I need T3 -only and take my full dose at bedtime....that avoids all food and drinks.

Dosing is very personal best decided by trial and error.

How do you feel on your current dose?

T3 needs to be increased slowly and in small doses....you may find your protocol is rather too fast for your body to adapt to readily.

If you feel overmedicated be prepared to slow rate of increases.

You may not even need as much as 15mcg T3 with 175mcg T4....that's quite a big dose

Is the plan to eventually reduce T4?

Good luck...hope it helps

[MightyMay in reply to DippyDame]

I was taking 200 mcg of Synthroid. My most worrisome symptom is constipation and I start to crash about 4-5 pm and I also feel off balance during the day. I am feeling a little more energetic on the T3 , but could still use improvement.

[DippyDame in reply to MightyMay]

Sounds familiar!

Persist with the T3' increasing very slowly....you may eventually need less T4 and the full 15mcg T3....or even a little more

Do you keep a diary/ spreadsheet of all changes in dose and all symptoms?

Monitor for overmedication by checking for tremors.....arms stretched out in front of you, palms down, lay a paper over the back of your hands and check for movement....there should be none!! Also check for racing heart rate.

Constipation can be a sign of undermedication....I've just had a spell of that and added 6.25mcg T3 which solved the issue.....your extra 5mcg may do it.

There is no formula to work it out other than trial and error ....which medics don't like!!

It's a challenge and there is no quick fix.....but there is a fix. Patience will help!!

[MightyMay in reply to DippyDame]

Thank You Dippy Dame for the encouragement.

[MightyMay in reply to DippyDame]

I do keep a diary with my dose change and symptoms and right now, I see a little positive.

[Brightness14]

Hi I have just started on the same and posted like yourself a few days ago. Several people have informed me that I could take the T3 with food. This is now working for me. I don't know yet whether taking it this way would deplete the dosage, perhaps someone else knows.

It's much better and easier now.

[MightyMay in reply to Brightness14]

Thank you for responding...I did not know you could take T3 with food. Good to know.

[adin]

Hi, I take (T3 slow release) 3 time along the day. First in the morning with levo then 1pm (5mcg T3) and 6pm another 5mcg of t3.

[MightyMay in reply to adin]

Thank you for your reply; how does the slow release compare to the normal T3? Does it work better?

[Poniesrfun]

I put together a suggested way to start on T3 here - Basic T3 Startup. thyroidcanceradvocates.net/...

As pointed out, everyone is different and it takes time to see what might work best for you. A main caveat I would add is if your Free T4 is very high you might need to lower the levothyroxine dose for the T3 to really work its magic for you.

Patti in AZ

[MightyMay in reply to Poniesrfun]

Thank you for the information. I will be having blood work in about 3 weeks and my Endo does a full panel for thyroid and all the essential vitamins. I will see how it goes from there.

[MightyMay]

Thank You for your response...lots to think about.