Starting T3 combination trial: Morning all.Thanks... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,242 members166,488 posts

Starting T3 combination trial

VEG71 profile image
10 Replies

Morning all.Thanks everyone for your reply! I haven't started the combination yet. After 3 trips to the pharmacy, they didn't have 85mcg thyroxine, so they reduced to 75mcg! The dose of T3 is 5mcg once daily. I do feel set up to fail. I'm still have the classic hypo symptoms, (and more!) despite T4 in range, T 3 was low 3.4. I have just emailed the clinic to ask about titration/adjusting plans for the meds. Also to query the 75mcg thyroxine dose. Have asked for contact from the consultant. She has constantly challenged my symptoms, and at one point told me I was never going to be prescribed T3, (before bloods came back T3 low!) It makes me drained just thinking about her. Hoping I can gave a decent discussion about all this with her, just need reassurance the doasges will be looked at. Not sure how to handle it? Hoping, there will be some symptom improvement so she doesn't stop the trial, saying it didn't work.

I asked for my blood results from endo clinic and gp, they don't have them to send, so I'm going to get medi check ones.

Thank you all, it's so helpful having insight into all your experiences and I really appreciate the tips and excellent advice!

Written by
VEG71 profile image
VEG71
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
10 Replies
VEG71 profile image
VEG71

Arghh I don't know how to edit! I haven't started the t3 trial yet!

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toVEG71

helvella - Editing HealthUnlocked Posts/Replies

You may not realise that you can edit, or delete, any posts or responses you have made here. Follow the link below for details

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

VEG71 profile image
VEG71 in reply tohelvella

Thank you!

greygoose profile image
greygoose

I do feel set up to fail.

Why? 5mcg is the normal starter dose for T3. How long are you supposed to stay on that dose?

However, in my opinion, the pharmacy was wrong to give you 75 mcg instead of 88. How much were you taking before? Taking T3 will lower your FT4 any way, so it might have been better to go up to 100 rather than down to 75.

I'm still have the classic hypo symptoms, (and more!) despite T4 in range, T 3 was low 3.4.

But it's not the T4 causing the symptoms, it's the low T3. You are a poor converter, hence the prescription for T3.

Not sure how to handle it? Hoping, there will be some symptom improvement so she doesn't stop the trial, saying it didn't work.

Ahhhhhh you have to learn endo-speak. And lie! You say that you felt a vast improvement in your symptoms - even if you didn't - but you feel that things could improve even further with an increase in dose. :)

VEG71 profile image
VEG71 in reply togreygoose

Thank you for advice, I did wonder if I should go down that route! Must work on the endo speak! 😁

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toVEG71

You're welcome. :)

Hennerton profile image
Hennerton

From my own experience, it is better to take it very slowly when adding the T3. I found I felt worse with the full 5mcg in one hit and I began to cut up the tablet, keep every crumb and take it first thing in the morning before any food and then in the evening, again not close to food. Your body needs time to adjust and slow but sure is the best way. If you can be bothered, you could try even smaller doses. I easily cut mine into four tiny pieces and did this in the early days. It is a bit of trial and error but is far better to go slowly than leap into the unknown.

VEG71 profile image
VEG71 in reply toHennerton

Thank you, will try this.

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle

LevoThyroxine comes in 25/50/ 100 mcg sizes in UK , and one brand (Teva) makes a 75mcg tablet . ~ whoever wrote your prescription should know this . 85mcg tablets are not available in UK.

The usual way to write a prescribe for 87.5mcg dose is '75mcg / 100mcg alternate days' ~ this evens out in the blood as levothyroxine is a long life /storage form of hormone . Alternatively a 25mcg can be cut in half to take exact same dose each day, which some of us prefer .

VEG71 profile image
VEG71 in reply totattybogle

Brilliant thank you! Will ask for this.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Over range T3 on combination T3/T4 medication

I posted several times last year about my 18 daughter who was very ill with chronic fatigue and...

T4/T3 Combination

Hi, I hope you are all hanging on I there. Please can any body HELP, I feel so desperately ill. My...
bubbatetley profile image

T3 Dosage

My friend had a complete thyroidectomy 10 years ago. Since that time she has been on 200 mg of...
Galapagos profile image

starting t3, t4 combination

Hi, I am hoping to benefit from the experience of others before me. I am currently on 125 mcg...

Starting t3

I've been taking around 100mcg levothyroxine for approx 7 years and it has mostly worked well for...
selkie72 profile image

Moderation team

See all
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator
RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator

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.