Adding T3 : Finally allowing me to try adding... - Thyroid UK

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Adding T3

Vixen54 profile image
17 Replies

Finally allowing me to try adding 10mg of T3 twice a day to my 100mcg of Levothyroxine.I am a little scared of going hyper or heart racing, the endo hasn't reduced my levo and these were my last results.

They probably look normal but I'm struggling with weight and my resting pulse is around 60.

If anyone out there has added T3 with similar bloods was it a game changer fir you?

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Vixen54 profile image
Vixen54
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17 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

Finally allowing me to try adding 10mg of T3 twice a day

Are you saying that you're taking 20 mcg T3 a day? If so, that is far too high a starter dose. One should start off with just 5 mcg a day for at least two weeks.

Vixen54 profile image
Vixen54 in reply togreygoose

New result bottom of post, so glad I took your advice , thats starting on 5mcg and then 2x5

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame

Is that 2 x 10mcg daily or 10mcg daily split to 2 x5mcg doses?

Either way a starting dose of 10mcg added to 100mcg levo is likely to be too much for some people

Adding T3 will naturally lower FT4 and TSH

I'd be inclined to initialy add 5 mcg wait 2 weeks then add another 5 mcg....once you reach 10mcg then wait 6 weeks on that steady dose and test again.

Meantime monitor all signs and symptoms.....they may be "up and down" but don't be tempted to keep altering the dose. The body needs time to settle with each dose change.

The new test results will point to the way forward.

It is a long slow process so you need to be very patient and listen to your body......there is no quick fix.

Everybody is different so their reactions may be different....no need to be scared. T3 is like any other medication....it just needs to be used correctly!

I need high dose T3-only so have travelled the road!!

We're all here to help....just ask.

Good luck!

Vixen54 profile image
Vixen54 in reply toDippyDame

Thankyou, yes he said one tablet twice a day but I'm going to half it like you said. Not sure what he will say but I have to have a blood done on about 4 to 6 weeks.. he said 3 hrs after tablet if possible

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toVixen54

At TUK we are advised to test FT3 close to 12 hours after the last dose....and at least 6 weeks after a new/change of dose.

Also note SlowDragon's advice re timing of tests

(So long as FT3 remains in ref range you are unlikely to be overmedicated)

After 3 hours the hormone hasn't had time to settle into the system and will give a "false high" FT3 result with a low TSH, which is likely to end up with you being told you are overmedicated and the T3 trial then stopped

I suspect this endo is either clueless or setting you up to fail with T3.

I'd be inclined to counter his "game" by taking the lower dose, saying nothing, and hope the results work in your favour.

Starting you on 20mcg daily could feel a bit like putting high octane racing fuel in a Mini ...the sudden increase will cause your system to run far too fast......metabolism, heart rate.

T3 must be built up slowly, it is a powerful hormone and the body needs to slowly adjust to it's introduction

It's your body, don't be pushed into doing something that you feel uncomfortable about. Medic's remit is to work with you..... not to dictate to you. Many of them forget that!

Vixen54 profile image
Vixen54 in reply toDippyDame

Yes I'm going to start on a lower dose.. I'm not sleeping brilliant at the moment. I've been through menopause with no HRT as my mother had breast cancer.. My joints and back are always bad. My head is foggy and get bad anxiety. I never got hot flushes badly through menopause but been getting them this week with headaches.. had of my feels hypo with weight gain a d lowish pulse at rest and the other half feels hypo,. I'm confused at moment so hope my levels are OK to start the T3 . Will defo start on 5mg instead of 10 .

Vixen54 profile image
Vixen54 in reply toDippyDame

Hey,

Thanks for putting me wise, I have started on 5mcg of lio insead of the 2x10 with 100mg levo and cut myself down to 50 the next day as I was told to stay on 100.

I am so glad I didnt take what my endo recommended as these are my new results. taking now 2 x 5 ... what do you think? I look like I could go hyper... Imagine if I had taken recommended dose?

results
DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toVixen54

I'm not to clear about what you intend to do....

It looks as if you are dropping Levo to 50mcg from 100mcg .....if so, why?

I didn't suggest that!

Nothing to suggest overmedication in the attached results.....but, no FT3

Were you on a steady dose of hormones for at least 6 weeks before the test?

I find the term "hyper" for overmedication is misleading and suggests hyperthyroid which if one is hypothyroid is physically impossible.....unless it might happen transiently if one has Hashi's and experiences a Hashi's swing

Resting heart rate of 60bpm is within normal range which the BHF states as 60 -100bpm....so nothing to be concerned about

Vixen54 profile image
Vixen54 in reply toDippyDame

No I was told to keep taking my normal dose of 100mcgs of Levo, he was going to reduce it by 25mcgs but decided not to and told me to take 2x10 of Liothyronine . I have been on 100mcgs for a few years. I had RAI 7-8years ago

I decided to reduce the 100mcgs by splitting one into 2 halves and taking 100mcgs one day and 50 the next with the Liothyronine. I thought it was quite a difference the test results without taking the 2 x 10 Lio and taking 5mcg for 2 weeks then 2x5 for the next two weeks, I wouldnt dare take 2 x 10 ... I thought I had uploaded my TSH somewhere.. Ill do it again.

t3
Vixen54 profile image
Vixen54 in reply toDippyDame

TSH result below

Vixen54 profile image
Vixen54 in reply toDippyDame

Thankyou, I'm going to reduce the 2x10 to 2x5 to be on safe side.

Gingernut44 profile image
Gingernut44 in reply toVixen54

Please take notice of those who have started T3. Only take 1 x 5mcg for two weeks before adding a second 5 mcg. Stay on that dose for another two weeks before adding more. Do your next blood test as recommended, ie 24 hour gap for Levo and 8/12 hour gap for Liothyronine or you stand the chance of having the T3 stopped. Your Endo is setting you to fail at the first hurdle.

Vixen54 profile image
Vixen54 in reply toGingernut44

I'm going to start it tomorrow. They are 10mg tablets so I will need to break in half and hope the halves are pretty equal. I will try just one a day to start then add a 2nd dose later down the line . Thanks

humanbean profile image
humanbean

You might find this thread of interest :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply tohumanbean

Vixen54 lots of valuable advice in this thread.

Knowledge is power!!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

What’s your current TSH and Ft4

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

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

We need to see Ft4 result

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Which brand and do you always get same brand at each prescription

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

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Vixen54 profile image
Vixen54

Hey,

Thanks for putting me wise, I have started on 5mcg of lio insead of the 2x10 with 100mg levo and cut myself down to 50 the next day as I was told to stay on 100.

I am so glad I didnt take what my endo recommended as these are my new results. taking now 2 x 5 ... what do you think? I look like I could go hyper... Imagine if I had taken recommended dose?

new result

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