Add t3 now or increase thyroxine by 12.5 mg for... - Thyroid UK

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Add t3 now or increase thyroxine by 12.5 mg for 6 weeks and then see about T3 ?

Sarahpoppe232 profile image
13 Replies

had some great advise on here but still got anxiety it is getting a bit better

Am on 125 mg levo accord 7 weeks on this dose

Am on HRT 5 weeks

Thyroid readings are TSH 0.73 11 % on scale

T3 - 4.1 - 22 % on scale

FREE T4 gr 9 - 58 % on scale

shall I

A) increase levo by 12.5 mg for 6 weeks or

B) add T3 4mcg now once a day ?

C) stay as I am for now and rest again in 6 weeks ?

sorry anxiety makes me quite panicked and need some reassurance on my decisions

Anxiety is getting slightly less

S

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Sarahpoppe232
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13 Replies
tattybogle profile image
tattybogle

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 .

Sarahpoppe232 profile image
Sarahpoppe232 in reply totattybogle

yea will try to get a test done for HRT hormones in a few weeks - good idea - let me stick for a while longer

Sarahpoppe232 profile image
Sarahpoppe232 in reply totattybogle

these results were this week

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle in reply toSarahpoppe232

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.

Sarahpoppe232 profile image
Sarahpoppe232 in reply totattybogle

great thanks

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador

I'd say stick with what you are on as that is a whole lot going on already and your body needs to reset itself to this new norm 🤗

Without looking back are you adding in other supplements too which will hopefully be improving conversion?

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame

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

Good luck!

Sarahpoppe232 profile image
Sarahpoppe232 in reply toDippyDame

Have you optimised vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin....essential to support thyroid function/ conversion

I need to check these

Sarahpoppe232 profile image
Sarahpoppe232 in reply toDippyDame

I tried T3 for a few days but stopped as I thought it made me anxious but I don’t think it was that - but did stop t3 for now

I have headache fatigue - not terrible but not 100 percent able to tolerate normal life events like work etc

Am feeling a little better the last few days so I think I will stay on what I am on for maybe 4 more weeks ?

What should I take for folate and ferritin levels - iron tablets ?

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toSarahpoppe232

Probably best to wait then...

Don't add supplements until you have first tested your levels

Post results for advice

Tythrop profile image
Tythrop

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?

Sarahpoppe232 profile image
Sarahpoppe232 in reply toTythrop

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 ?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Am on 125 mg levo accord 7 weeks on this dose

Am on HRT 5 weeks

TSH 0.73 11 % on scale

T3 - 4.1 - 22 % on scale

FREE T4 gr 9 - 58 % on scale

please add ranges

Was test done early morning, around 9am, only water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Just found these results

You could try small increase in levothyroxine adding another 12.5mcg per day (so cutting an accord tablet in 1/4’s )

…..taking 3/4 of a 50mcg tablet per day - 137.5mcg

Obviously need to get vitamins tested and optimal

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