Lab results and unsuccessful attempt to return to T4-mono therapy

[Koola]

I’ll start with my previous lab results of Feb. 22 to explain the last one. I was on 75 T4 and 12 T3.

Not feeling well at all (not tachycardia, but hearing my heart beating loudly when lying down, high BP, very stressed and exhausted but not able to rest plus many other hypo symptoms, brain fog, joint pains, weakness, dizziness, stomach problems etc.) These results weren’t very different from the year’s previous ones.

TSH: 0.151 mU/l (Range 0.2 - 5) -1.02%

FT3: 3.89 pmol/l (Range 1.8 - 4.5) 77.41%

FT4: 14.8 pmol/l (Range 7 - 20) 60.00%

All comments concurred that I was overdosing. I decided that since I was feeling much better before starting the T4/T3 combo in June 2021, I’d like to return to T4 mono therapy.

So I first cut down the T4 to 63 mcg and T3 to 6mcg. Two weeks later, I was advised on forum to take more T4, i.e. 75 mcg, and keep a little T3 going to slowly wean myself,

I stayed on 75 T4/ and 2,5 to 3,5 T3 (pills being hard to cut precisely) for six weeks but I could hardly get out of bed. No point in doing labs then since whatever the results I knew this wasn’t working. So, still on 2.5/3.5 T3, I upped the levo to 81 and 88 on weekends for another four weeks +. Feeling even worse, I did labs.

I’ve given up on the idea of returning to mono therapy because I was feeling better then. Because I was also feeling better than now at the start of the combo on 91 T4/ 6 T3 then 12 T3 in June 2021; and I was feeling better last year and also three months ago etc. As they say “you can’t step twice in the same river”, and this dysfunction evolves with time.

It’s taken me three days to gather enough energy to write this post and I would be thankful for comments on last results of May 8.

TSH: 3,17 mU/l (Range 0.2 - 5) – 61.88 %

FT3: 3.25 pmol/l (Range 1.8 - 4.5) -- 53.70 %

FT4: 13.9 pmol/l (Range 7 - 20) -- 53.08 %

(Again: on 75 T4 and 3 T3 then 81 T4 /+/- 3 T3)

Many thanks in advance.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

I'm not following as to what dose you are currently on - on 75 T4 and 3 T3 then 81 T4 /+/- 3 T3

If your TSH is 3.17 now then you are not taking enough thyroid hormone.

What vitamins are you taking?

Have you tried a strictly gluten free diet and possibly also dairy free?

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Your February lab results do not indicate over medication, but I understand from reading your previous post that you were experiencing symptoms that may have led you to believe this dose was too high for you.

As tattybogle noted a couple of months ago, it’s essential to test after being on a constant dose for 6-8 weeks and refrain from adjusting medication in the interim. Personally, I’m more of a tortoise than a hare and increase (or decrease) super slowly as even small adjustments make me feel anxious and have ‘hyper- like’ symptoms (fast pulse, tremor, palpitations etc).

Your latest results are clearly showing under medication, so I would advise a slow & steady increase.

When you did take T3 was this as a single dose with your Levo or a split dose? I take 75 mcg Levo & 15 Lio and personally feel better for splitting the Lio into a morning & afternoon dose.

[Koola in reply to Buddy195]

Hi Buddy,

Thanks for sending again. Probably never answered for sheer lack of energy. Even worse now that I'm again trying to do T4 only. Good reminder to go the tortoise way.

Tattybogle also suggested that I take ever diminishing doses of T3 if going cold turkey proved to be too strenuous. So that's what I'm doing now.

Will post more details later.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Koola]

I would definitely start a new post to alert more members 🦋

[Koola in reply to Buddy195]

Good advice. But now I'd rather wait till next labs in a few weeks. Staying on tortoise path. And also, if I start getting different advices now, it'll only confuse me. And my mind is confused enough as it!