Advice on my T3 levels please.: Hi everyone... - Thyroid UK

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Advice on my T3 levels please.

Bubydizer profile image
8 Replies

Hi everyone,

Would somebody be able to have a look at my blood results and advise me please.

I am on Levo 88 mcg (3 days a week) and 94 mcg (4 days a week), at 5 am and 9 pm - 44mcg at 5 am and alternating at 9 pm either 44 mcg or 50 mcg.

Also I take Lio T3 6.25 mcg (2 x a day) at 6.45 am and at 3:45 pm.

I also take Lenzetto and Progeffik at 11 pm every night.

28.06.2023

TSH 0.033 ( 0.400 - 4.2 )

TF3 3.0 ( 2.1 - 4.4 ) 39.13%

TF4 1.7 ( 0.700 - 1.8 ) 90.91%

Have been feeling much better but in the last week or two symptoms are creeping back. Eyes are bothering me and have been getting progressively dryer, patches of eczema on face and hands, skin much dryer and my poor feet are getting painful again.

My resting heart rate is back at 55, 54, 53 where as when it hits 63 I feel much better and my feet feel good.

Do I need to raise my T3 and if so, should I reduce Levo slightly? and if raising T3 would I do a separate 6.25mcg or just double up and take 12.5mcg in one of my time slots?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,

Thank you,

Best wishes to everybody.

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Bubydizer
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8 Replies
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator

How much time was there between your last dose of levo, also T3 and the blood test?

This is important as leaving too long will result in bloods showing a false low FT3.

What were your latest blood results for key vitamins ferritin, folate, B12 & D3?

What supplements are you taking?

Bubydizer profile image
Bubydizer in reply toJaydee1507

Hi Jaydee,

I took my whole dose of Levo at 9 am the morning before and T3 was at 10pm the night before the test. Test was 9am following morning.

29.03.2023

Ferritin 117.5 ( 50.0 - 200.0 )

Folate >20.0 ( >15.0 value ideal )

Vitamin B12 >2000 ( injections )

D3 42 ( 30 - 100 )

Supplements

B Complex (stopped 7 days before test), Glucosamine, Bone Support containing calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc. Vitamin D and K.

Thank you for your response.

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toBubydizer

So thats the correct timing to show stable blood levels of each hormone.

Adding a separate 6.25mcgs at bed time would be good and dropping Levo slightly.

Your Vit D is far too low. Needs to be 100-150 for best use of thyroid hormone. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150. wildatlantichealth.com/vita...

Thee Better You mouth sprays containing K2 are popular.

Bubydizer profile image
Bubydizer in reply toJaydee1507

That's great, thank you that is reasurring. I am working on my Vitamin D with K.

I'll drop a couple of extra days down to 88mcg. At the same time is it OK to add the extra T3 at bedtime?

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toBubydizer

I like a dose of T3 at bedtime so yes thats fine. Helps many with sleep but not all.

Bubydizer profile image
Bubydizer in reply toJaydee1507

Brilliant, thank you so much for all the advice. All the best, Ann.

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame

Your FT3 is far too low and this is causing problems.

T3 is the active thyroid hormone and for good health it must flood nearly every cell in the body by way of a constant and adequate supply

Low cellular T3 = poor health

Your T4 to T3 conversion is poor....this is likely ( partly) responsible for your low FT3

We need to optimise vit B12, vit D, folate and ferritin to support thyroid function

Suspect you have deficiences.

Have you had those nutrients tested recently...if not, do so.

You are taking 12.5mcg T3 daily plus 88mcg T4 for 3 days a week and 94mcg T4 for 4 days a week

Who suggested you split T4 like that with a difference of only 6mcg in doses? It seems an effort for all the difference there is in the doses.

Were you unable to tolerate a single T4 dose....hence splitting?

(Were it T3 then those amounts would be more significant because T3 is more potent)

Increasing T4 may generate a tiny amount of T3 by conversion but not enough to make much, if any, difference

BUT....your FT4 is already on the high side so little room to increase anyway

Suggest you work on nutrients and discuss, with your endo, increasing your T3 by 6.25mcg daily then re-test after 6 weeks on that steady dose.

Raising T3 may also lower your FT4.....that's just what it does.

I wouldn't reduce T4/ levo straight away

Change only one thing at a time otherwise you cannot be sure what is doing what

The new labs will point the way forward

Timing your dose is a personal thing.....what you find suits you best

But keep thyroid hormones away from any food and drinks......2 hrs is advised.

More T3 will raise your heart rate....the heart is greedy for T3!! Your current RHR is too low.

Your metabolic rate has most likely dropped as a result of low T3....are you fatigued, cold, gaining weight, dry skin etc

Lots of factors involved.

Bubydizer profile image
Bubydizer in reply toDippyDame

Hi dippydame,

Thank you for your response and all the great information and about the T3.

29.03.2023

Ferritin 117.5 ( 50.0 - 200.0 )

Folate >20.0 ( >15.0 value ideal )

Vitamin B12 >2000 ( injections )

D3 42 ( 30 - 100 )

I am working on my vitamin D.

So I split levo to twice a day as all in one go made me a bit headachy. Also it brought my TSH up a little but that is still low. For doing the blood test I took my levo in one go and again I had a backround headache most of the day.

I have levo tablets in 88mcg and 50mcg. When I was on just 88mcg it wasn't enough so after I tried 100mcg I felt buzzy within a couple of days. So I reduced to where I am now and this feels better.

I have a B12 deficiency and am on B12 injections so that complicates things. Over the last couple of weeks my skin and eyes have got much dryer. I can feel myself slowing, energy levels down, heavy legs and swollen ankles. Pressure in my neck which went pretty soon after starting levo is now back at times.

Weight has always been a struggle to keep on (I have various intolerances and cant do dairy, gluten or fruit), the levo and B12 seem to have stopped that weight loss pressure.

Thank you.

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