at what point did you get those TSH / fT4 / fT3 results ?
as you've only been on this levo dose 7 wks and HRT for 5 ,,,my instinct is that you should wait until you've been on HRT for at least 6 weeks (on this dose levo) and then get TSH / fT4/ fT3 tested so you have proper information as to what effect( if any) the HRT has had, before deciding on any further changes .
ok this week , but even so .. 4/5 wks is not very long to allow HRT to do 'whatever it going to' .....estrogen can have an impact of free T4 levels , (HRT can affect how mcuh T4 is 'bound' and how much is 'free'... because estrogen level affects how much Thyroid Binding Globulin the liver makes.)
"When in Doubt ~ Wait a few weeks Longer" is a very good philosophy to stick to when adjusting thyroid hormones .
We will often find that if we just leave it alone we will notice things are very slowly improving anyway ...... and if they definitely don't improve / or worsen after a few more weeks , then at least it makes our decision that we need to alter dose much more solid/ evidence based.
Don't panic ....even errors, for the most part, can be sorted!
I take it you have now dropped the T3 you added recently!
If so have you been on T4 mono for 7 weeks or combo for part of that time?
You cannot take thyroid hormones like paracetamol for headaches.
They take at least 6 weeks to settle in the system
There is no quick fix and rushing things just makes finding a therapeutic dose more difficult....and lengthy!
It's a steep learning curve I'm afraid
FT3 is miserably low!
But...
Have you optimised vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin....essential to support thyroid function/ conversion
Was that test done close to 9am, 24hrs after last dose of levo and at least an hour away from food and drinks.
It can take up to 3 months for HRT to settle in the body
Women with pre-existing hypothyroidism may require an increase in their thyroxine dose after starting oral combined HRT because oral oestrogen changes the amount of thyroxine bound to proteins in your blood and can result in less free thyroid hormone that is available to do its job.
Based on those labs your T4 to T3 conversion looks poor (high FT4 compared to low FT3)....but too early to be sure.
Other than anxiety what symptoms do you have?
If none then I'd stick with current dose for a few more weeks....HRT may help.
But...
If you have other thyroid symotoms then having been on current dose for 7 weeks I'd increase your levo dose by 25mcg over the next 6/8 weeks then test
That next test should give a good picture of how things are panning out.
You may then need to start adding T3 if symptoms and numbers don't significantly improve
I have just read this conversation and want to sympathise with Sarahp with your anxiety. I understand your emotional. pain which ,if like mine, you just want to stop ..imagine for a moment what life would be like without it . ..Its probably impossible . Ike you I'm on a thyrpid journey and am about to start trying g to learn about t4 to 3 ratios . Do you find that the time of day you take t3 makes a difference?
hi Tythrop - I have not got going on taking T3 yet - still trying to optimise T4 and b12 , Vit D , ferritin and folate and then will try adding in T3 once I have everything else sorted. Have you tried taking T3 ? When do you take it ?
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.