Results since taking T3

[Caffeinefreezone]

I've just got my bloods back (protocols as per this forum followed). I am speaking to my endo at the end of Feb and would welcome some guidance please. I added T3 (continued with 75mcg Levo). First 2 weeks 5mcg x3 per day and then 10mcg x3 per day ever since. The first month on T3 was really encouraging and I had a lot more energy, clarity and was going to the loo - hurrah! Then we moved house, quite a long way and with 4 rescue cats, the week before Christmas, so I wasn't surprised with a dip in everything. I thought I'd wait for the dust to settle and see how I feel. I feel tired, achey and seem to be hungrier than normal. My weight isn't shifting and my BP is slightly raised. I am still going to the loo (mostly). My TSH is now quite low, T3 has gone up and T4 slightly shifted up. I would really welcome some feedback as Medichecks suggest I am overmedicated and possibly hyper. I am still very tired and apart from those 4 weeks before Christmas I feel a quite a long way off that 'sweet spot'. Thanks, as always X

[greygoose]

I think you started too high and increased too fast, and now it's catching up with you! Plus all the extra exertion and stress. So, probably not the right time to see the endo. You'll have to be very careful what you say to him or you'll find yourself with a reduced dose. In fact, it might be a good idea if you reduced it yourself for a while - unofficially, of course - and let things settle down. You might not even need 30 mcg a day, which with the 75 mcg levo is a higher than average dose. But, by starting so high and increasing so fast, you didn't give yourself time to find out.

Normally, we suggest starting on 5 mcg once a day for at least two weeks, and if all goes well, increase by another 5 mcg, either at the same time, or later in the day. And, to continue like that until you reach 20 mcg (unless you feel you've reached your sweet-spot before that), then hold of six weeks and retest. So, back-tracking a little won't do any harm, and might do some good.

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

By the way, take no notice of the Medichecks' doctor's comments because they don't really know what they're talking about. They are not thyroid specialists and know no more than your average GP. You cannot possibly be 'hyper', because you are hypo, and that's not how it works. But, you could be over-medicated. I wouldn't show those results to your endo, if I were you.

[Caffeinefreezone in reply to greygoose]

That makes a lot of sense. I'll retest after I've reduced as you suggest. Thankyou GG!

[greygoose in reply to Caffeinefreezone]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I would agree with greygoose

You have increased too much and too quickly

Reduce by 5mcg …..cut the last 10mcg dose of the in half

Wait 6 weeks

See how you feel…..retest

Then consider further 5mcg reduction

[Caffeinefreezone in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou!

[DippyDame]

I also agree with greygoose

And, I'd suggest you have missed your 'sweet spot'.

Strange as it sounds, overmedication can feel like undermedication

Doctors have very poor knowledge of thyroid hormones/ disease so don't be influenced by them, especially their insistence on dosing by TSH.

In any case once T3 is added it is even more important to be guided by symptoms than numbers.

Listen to your body...it will soon tell you if something is wrong!

TSH will drop naturally when T3 is added...as will FT4.

It's very important to be patient, finding your therapeutic dose takes time and cannot be rushed.

I need high dose T3 only to function and have racked up a fair number of mistakes along the way....but we learn from them!

Increase low and slow and allow time for your body to adjust

Essential nutrients need to be optimal to support thyroid function/ T4 to T3 conversion.

It may help to increase vit D... closer to 150

Vit B12 ...levels below 200 pg/mL are considered deficient.

Ferritin appears OK

Folate ( when next tested) at least half way through range

[Caffeinefreezone in reply to DippyDame]

Thankyou for that- definitely another 'learning opportunity'. I am really grateful for your invaluable intel & experience. I'm so glad I posted and didn't wait any longer. At least I've had a glimmer of what better feels like so I have something to recognise now. I think I was absorbing more vitamins when I was taking HCL for low stomach acid so will start that again too. I take 5000iu VitD3, which I believe is a decent amount and my level has improved from 48 last spring. I can up my B12. I think I've gone from one overly cautious endo to a very enthusiastic one! Now we're all settled in the new house, I can pay a bit more attention to my symptoms/needs.

[DippyDame]

Enjoy your new home and hopefully you feel better soon.

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

[McPammy]

Those symptoms are over medication of T3. Reduce your T3. Next time you have a blood test take your meds 2 hrs previously and see if the levels are going over range. If you don’t take your meds you don’t know how high it’s getting. If it goes over your TSH suppresses. You are definitely on too much T3 right now. I do both situations of taking and not taking my thyroid medication to know I’m not going under or over range. That way you won’t get any symptoms. My TSH is always in range just. I feel energised and better than ever. But if my levels go over I feel lots of symptoms.

[Caffeinefreezone in reply to McPammy]

That's very interesting. So I do 1 test as per protocol and then take 2.5mcg T3 (& do I take my Levo then too?) And then retest 2 hrs later?

[McPammy in reply to Caffeinefreezone]

Yes or just do the test ‘with’ taking as you already know what it is without taking from your previous test. But that’s only if you haven’t changed your doses. You don’t have to submit the ‘ with ‘ test to your Dr if it’s privately done. It’s for your information so you can get your doses right for you.

I alternate my blood draws every 3 months. I do with taking meds then 3 months later without. I get it done through my gp and he’s not bothered as long as I’m in range. My T3 jumps from 4.5 without meds to 5.5 ( 3.7-6.0) with meds on 5mcg and my T4 jumps a few points always in range . My TSH is usually around 1.00. Last time it was 1.09. I take T3 5mcg twice a day 8hrs apart and T4 75mcg a day - also split my T4 doses.

Take both T3 and T4 before the test then you know how high the levels are getting

[Caffeinefreezone in reply to McPammy]

That seems like a good plan. Really useful. My GP will only test once a year (September) but I do need to get the T3 privately so it's good to have some decent ranges as well as symptoms to go by. I learn a little bit more each time. It does feel like we're all tightrope walkers! Thank you so much McP 😊

[McPammy in reply to Caffeinefreezone]

Yes tight rope walkers for sure. I feel it’s all about balancing those hormones and not letting them get over range or too low. Same goes with vitamins. I only do both ways of blood testing as I want to feel symptom free. Luckily I do mainly as long as I get my usual T3 and T4 medications. My sister has endless problems as she has to keep her TSH suppressed due to having thyroid cancer. They do that so cancer doesn’t return but in doing that there are consequences that affect her health in many ways. It works for me to keep my TSH around 1.00 which mirrors a healthy persons thyroid levels. Therefore not going over range with t4 or t3.