I have recently started on t3 that I purchased in Corfu (along side t4). Been on it about 4 weeks I think. My GP knows and has agreed to blood tests 2 months after I started it but she cannot prescribe or even guide me on it.
On the whole I feel better, especially in the morning. Less tired, more focussed, better mood, less gastro issues. I felt like I could feel it wearing off so I started taking a second dose late in the day (time varied as I sometimes forgot).
Just the past couple of days I have felt weird mid to late afternoon (I take my first dose about 6.20am). Really tired and feels like a bit like my heart is racing (pulse around 80). It seems to be worse if I have eaten a lot. I think I feel better a couple of hours later if I take more t3 but I am not certain and it is early days.
Does anyone else feel it wear off and want more or does this sound like I am over medicated?
I am also getting breathless, my voice is squeaky and going and my ears feel like they want to pop a lot. I assume this is a virus but thought I would mention it in case anyone else has experienced it when over medicated.
Thanks
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Hypo32
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b12 was 466, vitamin d 124, ferritin 87, folate 4.7 (now taking folic acid but sometimes forget - go thought I didn’t need it). I take magnesium when I remember but if I take it every day I get loose bowels and not enough I get cramps. At first I reduced thyroxine from 125 to 100 but after 2 weeks I felt exactly as I always do 2 weeks after a reduction despite being on t3 too so I went back up. T3 is 12.5 at a time (if I cut it smaller it crumbles). As I write it I think it is too much but I felt great until a couple of days ago.
I am feeling better a few hours after the weird feeling and I have had no more t3 so I think I am on too much (unless it is to do with carb heavy meals).
I also find it hard to remember to take anything when I have an empty stomach and can wait for food and coffee unless it is first thing in the morning. Maybe I drop to 1 dose of t3???? Blood test will be late April I think.
I wish I could find and afford a good endo but I am trying to work this out for myself and grateful that my GP will test t3.
Thanks. I will try those doses. I think I make 10-12 hours later work on an empty stomach.
Do you think my b12 is low then? I assume I need to take that at a different time of day. I have ordered selenium too.
My thyroxine is mostly Teva. 1 batch a few months ago was different.
I am not gluten or dairy free and to be honest trying to be organised enough to be around a full time job and 2 kids and 2 kids and their activities would tire and stress me more than any symptom I have. I can function, I just want to feel to better and have more energy to do nice things after the essentials. I went gluten free for a bit last year, didn’t feel any better but it took my t4 over range so my Levo was reduced and that started a spiral of problems which in the end had lead me to the t3 (I want to see if t4 high in the range reduces my ca125 cancer marker since nobody knows or cares why it is raised).
Most easily available (and often most easily tolerated) are Mercury Pharma or Accord
Mercury Pharma make 25mcg, 50mcg and 100mcg tablets
Mercury Pharma also boxed as Eltroxin. Both often listed by company name on pharmacy database - Advanz
Accord only make 50mcg and 100mcg tablets
Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots, ....but Accord doesn’t make 25mcg tablets
Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Teva is lactose free.
Teva contains mannitol as a filler instead of lactose, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Mannitol seems to upset many people, it changes gut biome
Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet.
So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half
But for some people (usually if lactose intolerant, Teva is by far the best option)
Aristo (currently 100mcg only) is lactose free and mannitol free.
If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient.
Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.
Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
Similarly if normally splitting your levothyroxine, take whole daily dose 24 hours before test
Increasing number of members find it smoother/more tolerable to split levothyroxine as two smaller doses, half dose waking, half dose at bedtime.
REMEMBER.....very important....stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results - eg vitamin B complex
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
Hypo32 I checked on the Chesterfield formulary. Their policy goes against all national guidance, and their position statement is awful. They also quote some out of date bulletins etc.
If you're on Facebook, please join us on ITT Improve Thyroid Treatment group. We have template letters, with all national guidance and parliamentary statements on T3. You can send them to Endo, ICB, MP, Healthwatch, PALS, GP, whoever you wish.
it’s counter intuitive but cutting out things that contain sugar, eg no cake, no snack bars, no biscuits, not even apples and yellow bananas. (I do eat berries, kiwi, dark choc occasionally)
Then only having tiny amounts of carbs via potatos carrots brown rice rarely, no bread, crackers, pasta etc. upping good fats and proteins, avo, nuts, oils, coconut everything. Stopping dairy and all grains…
I have loads more energy. Initially it’s awful as your body craves all the nice stuff.
But I have to say I can manage more, and I’ve lost a few kgs.
I’ve kinda combined paleo from Dr Sarah Myhill (not the keto bit) and the Supergut diet from Dr William Davies.
I have 2 kids, I know how exhausting it is, but it’s worth a shot 🌱
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Over or under medicated?
Over medication and freaked out
ANGER WITH NHS OVER THYROXINE DOSE
Over dosed levothyroxine
Have I been over dosed?
