Reaction to increased in dose - please help?

[Thyroid_mum]

Hi all, hope you are well and had a great weekend.

Following my previous blood results, I increased my meds from 100mcg levo with 5 x 3 mcg T3 to 100mcg levo and 7.5mcg T3 in the morning with 5mg T3 in the afternoon and again in the evening.

I had no adverse effects with the increase of the T3 on the morning dose and on Friday I increased the afternoon dose as well. Yesterday after the 7.5mcg afternoon dose, about an hour later I got a pressure headache and pressure on my chest with a lot of anxiety.

I found it very strange as I dont react to the morning dose of 7.5mcg at all.

The only thing that was different in the circumstances yesterday was that I hadn't had lunch - I don't know this this would have made the difference?

Do I continue with the 7.5mcg in the afternoon or should I leave it for a longer period before I reintroduce the second increase dose?

Many thanks.

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

It could be that you reacted differently due to cortisol levels generally being lower at that time of day?

I've tried various timings, sizes and splitting of T3 doses and have found that I'm much better just taking one dose first thing. Interestingly I found a single dose of 15mcg more effective than a split dose of 20-25mcg

I'd suggest adding the increase to the morning dose ( normally when cortisol is at its peak) and see how that feels, timing seems as important as dose 🤗

Or drop back to the previous dose and play with the timings first

[Thyroid_mum in reply to TiggerMe]

Thank you for the reply. I've done an adrenal saliva test and my corisol peaks at 11am (shoots off the scale).

I will try increasing the 7.5mcg in the morning to 10mcg rather and see how I get on.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Thyroid_mum]

Interesting... I've just looked at your cortisol graph (might have changed since adding T3 but we'll run with it) aim your dosing when you are in the green zone as too little or too much cortisol is worth avoiding for a smoother ride

Your DHEA is also low... are you on HRT?

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Thyroid_mum]

It's a funny graph as it doesn't show your waking and 30min later response which are even higher which follows the normal rhythm... It looks to me that your sweet spot is between 7-9am... it's not that you spike at 11am it just hasn't dropped off as much as expected

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Thyroid_mum in reply to TiggerMe]

I did a new adrenal test on the 10th of October and cortisol is higher throughout hte day now...

test result

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Thyroid_mum]

Ah great!... So 7-9am slot still the best time... interesting how your DHEA has increased, presumably due to the addition of T3?

[Thyroid_mum in reply to TiggerMe]

I take a DHEA slow release (compounded) to boost DHEA

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Thyroid_mum]

Well done you, yes I do too (though just off the shelf stuff) and it certainly seems to help

[Thyroid_mum in reply to TiggerMe]

Thank you for all your help

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Thyroid_mum]

Just suggestions really 🤗 how much DHEA do you take? I just bought the lowest I could find 15mg but I've just ordered some 10mg micronized... can't really retest until I drop the hydrocortisone

[Thyroid_mum in reply to TiggerMe]

It's much appreciated :). I take 12.5mg slow release DHEA which is compounded. My Endo put me on Seriphos to try bring cortisol down - I will retest in the new year. I do find I sleep a lot deeper on Seriphos (same as PS100 I believe). I am also taking adrenal food/supplements Energy Multiplex and HPA-Control. I dont have anxiety at all now (except yesterday with the T3 dose in the afternoon).

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Thyroid_mum]

Thanks.... Sounds like you are making progress, lets hope the timings settle things down. I am at the other end of the cortisol scale and I'm only at a good level first thing.

I'm intrigued he has you on adrenal supplements when your cortisol levels are high though?

[Thyroid_mum in reply to TiggerMe]

oh gosh, so that is more like adrenal fatigue? Endo says he is trying to support the adrenals so they can function better - they have ingredients like ashwaghanda and Rhodiola Rosae in them with other vitamins, he advised they are like food for the adrenals - if that makes any sense.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Thyroid_mum]

I'm confused as your adrenals are putting out a lot of cortisol which suggests they are working really well.... I take adrenal supplements to support them and get my cortisol levels up... I don't understand why he is treating you for adrenal fatigue?

Ashwaghanda can increase or decrease cortisol output and certainly looks like it has increased yours when comparing the two graphs?

[Thyroid_mum in reply to TiggerMe]

Thanks for the info - I think he's treating them for overworking - ie too much cortisol. I dont have a good stress response and I was suffering from major anxiety. since taking the DHEA and the adrenal support - I dont have anxiety - definitely need to bring it up with him.

[Bean101 in reply to TiggerMe]

Could you please tell me where you get your DHEA from.. mine is very low

[helvella in reply to Bean101]

helvella - DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) and UK Law

Information about UK law and DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone).

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

[Thyroid_mum in reply to Bean101]

Hi Bean101, my endo prescribes it and its compounded by Rosway labs

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Bean101]

iherb

[greygoose]

What makes you think it's the T3 causing the headache? Headaches can come on suddenly for all sorts of reasons. And, if it's never happened before, I can't see why you would blame the T3.

[Thyroid_mum in reply to greygoose]

It's not the headache I am worried about, its the feeling after taking the increased dose of T3 - i noticed the headache first and then got the rest of the symptoms. I was merely listing everything I felt so I could get advice.

[waveylines in reply to Thyroid_mum]

I used to have Liothyronine and the timing is critical. Maybe you are taking your second dose a bit too soon? Delaying it another hour may make all the difference. I found Liothyronine very time specific.Another alternative is to take the small increase as a third dose later in the afternoon. That size dose should not keep you awake at night. I know it's a faff as you are trying to anticipate your tummy bring empty as well.

[Thyroid_mum in reply to waveylines]

There's 6-7 hours between doses. I take 3 doses a day - i am lucky that the dose at night doesnt affect my sleep.

I start is 7.5mcg in the morning, then i was on 5mcg in the afternoon and 5mcg at night. This weekend i tried to up my afternoon dose to 7.5mcg and only on sunday did I have adverse effects about an hour after the afternoon dose pointing to the increased T3 being the culprit.

I will try up my morning dose to 10 as suggested by eyeore100 as i dont get any reactions from 7.5mcg in the morning.

Strange body, honestly LOL

[waveylines in reply to Thyroid_mum]

It's all trial and error. I found I could front load then smaller doses as day wore on..so like you three doses, third one being the lowest dose. . That worked the best for me but ultimately once I moving to NDT I could move across to one dose and no sense up ups downs of lio that I used to have no matter how I took it. Everyone is different. A fact the medical profession could do with recognising more of. Hope things settle for you very soon. 🤞🤞

[Thyroid_mum in reply to waveylines]

Thank you