taking T3 again

[Reneey2k]

I stopped taking 20mg t3 cause I was getting palpitations. I thought I’d wait and see if there were any negative effects and the only thing I felt was cold. I also started getting frequent colds too so thought I’d start taking a lower dose 10mg of T3. I’m on 200mg levo. Doctor just took my bloods and t4 is 19.1 (11-20.2) and T3 is 4.4 (3.2-6.8) so I figure I have to lower my t4 so it doesn’t push the t3 over the limit. Is this correct?

[greygoose]

It would have to push very hard! How do you feel on that dose? If you feel well, leave it as it is.

[Reneey2k in reply to greygoose]

how would I feel if I was taking too much t4. I went from 150-200 and wonder if 175 might be worth a try.

[greygoose in reply to Reneey2k]

Well, you did increase by too much in one go - it should never be more than 25 mcg. But, your FT4 is not quite at the top of the range, so if you still feel symptoms of some sort, it's more likely to be because your FT3 is too low. The odds are, you wouldn't feel anything from a too high FT4 because T4 is basically a storage hormone that doesn't do much until it is converted to T3, the active hormone.

[Reneey2k in reply to greygoose]

that was the does the endocrinologist put me on when I was pregnant. I went back to 150 after and felt awful

[greygoose in reply to Reneey2k]

OK, but you still shouldn't increase by more than 25 mcg every six weeks, maximum.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Was test done early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Did you split T3 as 2 x 5mcg - last dose approx 8-12 hours before test

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[Reneey2k in reply to SlowDragon]

I didn’t take meds the morning of the test.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

When you were taking 20mcg T3 ….did you split the dose as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day

[Reneey2k in reply to SlowDragon]

no. Just in the morning. They gave me capsules. So I’ve asked for 10mg capsules this time

[dizzy864]

Hi, Personally, I find I feel much better when I divide my T3 up throughout the day. I used to get peaks and troughs!! Great for five or six hours after taking T3, then ok for next few hours and then absolutely awful until I could take the next dose the following day. Some people find that a single dose is too much and it can cause heart issues. I would suggest that you stay on the same dose but split it into three or four equal doses equally spaced through the day. Your T4 is within range and T3 is on the low side. You don't need to worry at the moment about T3 being over the limit. Retest six to eight weeks after making any dose change.

Good luck