Dr added more T3 and labs show no change, what... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,242 members166,488 posts

Dr added more T3 and labs show no change, what happened?

amburke1965 profile image
19 Replies

Hi everyone,

I finally after having Hashis for over 30 years found a great dr when I moved, who is willing to work with me and disregard TSH. She took me off my previous combo of 100 mcg synthroid and 5 mcg cytomel and started me on120 mcg of NP Thyroid back in October. It was a great help and my numbers looked better but she wanted my T3 up above the midrange, so in mid December she added 10 mcg of compounded T3. The first week I felt a little wired and then nothing. I just got my blood test results back and my t3 is the EXACT same. I don't understand, how can I add T3 and it does nothing? Can someone please help me? Why is my body not raising my levels? My reverse t3 went down and my antibodies so that should have raised it up too and it didn't. I am completely confused and would love to hear your opinions. Thank you!

Labs 12/6 (only on 120 NP Thyroid) Labs 2/16

Free T3 3.1 (2-4.4) 3.1

Free t4 1.28 (.82-1.77) 1.22

TSH .010 (.45-4.5) .009

Reverse t3 24.8 (9.2-24.1) 14.5

TPO 77 (0-34) 58

Written by
amburke1965 profile image
amburke1965
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
19 Replies
DippyDame profile image
DippyDame

120mcg NDT = 2 grains = 72mcg T4 + 18mcg T3

Added 10mcg T3

Total dose = 72mcg T4 + 28mcg T3

Labs....no change after added 10mcg T3

Free T3 3.1 (2-4.4) 3.1

FT3 is 45.83% through ref range....which is low

FT3 unchanged suggests you need more T3

The fact that initially you felt an improvement suggests the body appreciated the increase but soon realised it wasn't enough to sustain a difference/ improvement

This paper might help...

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/mor...

amburke1965 profile image
amburke1965 in reply toDippyDame

Thanks for your response and the paper!

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toamburke1965

Ex Paul Robinson

Consequently, for those patients who rely on some T4 medication (or some natural thyroid medication, or some T4 from their own thyroid gland), adding T3 medication can create an initial great result, which is then followed after some time by a lower conversion of T4 to T3. The circulating T4 thyroid hormone that you have just does not convert to as much T3 anymore. You have added extra T3, but you have lost some converted T3!

The net result is often a good improvement of symptoms followed by FT3 dropping to a level that is just as low as it was, to begin with.

greygoose profile image
greygoose

How do you take these hormones? Do you always take them on an empty stomach and wait at least an hour before eating or drinking anything other than water? Do you take medication/supplements at least two hours away from your hormone? It rather looks as if you're not absorbing that extra 10 mcg T3.

amburke1965 profile image
amburke1965 in reply togreygoose

Yes to all of the above. And I did not change what I did compared to the previous test

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toamburke1965

Strange. I really have no idea about that one.

How long did you leave between the last dose of T3 and the blood draw?

amburke1965 profile image
amburke1965 in reply togreygoose

about 26 hrs

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toamburke1965

You left a gap of about 26 hours between your last dose of T3 and the blood test? Well, that's why your level hasn't changed, then. It was too long. It should only be about 8 to 12 hours. So, you have a false low FT3. In reality, it's higher than that.

amburke1965 profile image
amburke1965 in reply togreygoose

Thank you!

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toamburke1965

You're welcome. :)

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador

Intriguing... when do you take your T3 and how long after this was your blood test?

amburke1965 profile image
amburke1965 in reply toTiggerMe

My dr said to take both medications together first thing in the morning on and empty stomach and wait and hour before anything else (coffee or food). My blood test was 2 months after the medication addition

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toamburke1965

Sorry, yes that is all great, I meant how many hours after your last dose did you take the blood test?

amburke1965 profile image
amburke1965 in reply toTiggerMe

Oh my mistake, more than 24 hrs since i took both pills

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toamburke1965

Ah... that'll be the answer then, T3 has a short life so after 24 hours it would likely have been used up, it peaks after 2-3 hours

Best to test 8-12 hours after last dose

amburke1965 profile image
amburke1965 in reply toTiggerMe

Thank you!

CallMeSunny profile image
CallMeSunny

Were the tests both done by the same lab?….you said you’d moved.

amburke1965 profile image
amburke1965 in reply toCallMeSunny

yes they were. I should have been more clear, I moved a year ago. I love what a great detective job you are doing!

CallMeSunny profile image
CallMeSunny

😂!!

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Switching back to Levothyroxine/Liothyronine from NP Thyroid - is it okay? (I miss my old self)

Apologies for the long post. I tried to put together all the info that I have so it might help...
Hunny_BEE profile image

Are Symptoms more important than levels?

I am a very anxious/nervous person with horrible insomnia. I have posted a few times; I will...
bessygo profile image

Graves, thyroidectomy, fluctuating high blood pressure

I am taking NP 30 mcg, and T3 10 mcg. I had a high blood pressure incident recently and went to the...
leftbehind profile image

Is my dose too low?

Free t4 .58 (.82-1.77) Low Reverse T3 9.2 (9.2-24.1) T3 76 (71-180) Free T3 2.0 (2.0-4.4) Labs from...
Katurajo1 profile image

New Labs and still no FT3:

Hey all... I've been on this alternating dose of 137/150 for three months now and had labs again:...
misscliocat profile image