Hi all, Short version, I've been on combo T4 & T3 now for about 7 months. Doing really well, so much happier. But, I've found tracking vitals in relation to my dosage increasingly unreliable in really telling me anything. My basal body temp (just one example) is all over the place. Not helpful in guiding me to any idea of where I need to be.
Currently I'm on 25mcg T4 & 30mcg T3 per day (T3 is split over 3 doses).
I worked up to the above gradually and feel good. But, this may sound silly, how do I know when I'm optimised? I worry, since, previously I was so sick for so long, that any improvement I see as a miracle. What if I can feel EVEN better than I do now? How do I know without pushing T3 further?
Obviously I have been, and will continue to be, super careful tweaking my dosage, but how do I know when I've reached that 'optimised' threshold?? Or do I have to go above (over) to find out at what dosage I start to feel bad, then go back down to the sweet spot? Urgh, I don't know.
Also, separate question, for furture-proofing interest more than anything, is it possible to buy T4 without a prescription? For Admin - note I'm not asking for specific sources. Just a general yes or no please.
Thoughts and advice appreciated as always. xx
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Your post might attract a PM from the scammers who lurk here so I will just post our usual warning that you should take note of.
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My basal body temp (just one example) is all over the place.
"If you’re not feeling quite up to par, take your temperature. Not to determine if you’ve got a fever – rather, temperatures reflect an individual’s metabolic energy state. The average daytime temperature of a healthy individual is 98.6 thus making 98.6 the optimal (as opposed to normal*) temperature. Lower than optimal temperatures reflect a lower than optimal metabolic state which is usually controlled by the thyroid mechanism. Wide variability of temperature reflects an unstable or fatigued adrenal system. Thus, on the road to health, one wants to go from low and/or unstable temperatures to 98.6 and stable if possible."
Something else to bear in mind is that the various enzymes (digestive etc.) can only operate well within a pretty narrow band of temp - too low and they'll stay asleep, too high they will be fried (either way they can't do their job).
how do I know when I'm optimised? I worry, since, previously I was so sick for so long, that any improvement I see as a miracle. What if I can feel EVEN better than I do now? How do I know without pushing T3 further?
While I "get" your anxiety/fear, can you let that go because a background "niggle" is rarely very helpful. Give yourself a big hug instead
I started on 6.25mcg T3 (in addition to T4) and gradually increased to 12.5mcg and all was hunky dory - (like you) I speculated about feeling even better so started taking and extra 6.25mcg - after about 10 days I started to wonder if I was getting Parkinson's because my hands were behaving oddly but then I realised it was likely due to too much T3 (for me) - I reduced back to 12.5 mcg and all was well. (That was years ago - I still take 12.5mcg).
is it possible to buy T4 without a prescription?
Yes - actually I think a person can buy pretty much anything these days but you do need to be aware that there is (seemingly) an increase in fake pills (not only Thyroid replacement) and also scam sellers.
If you come to Greece on a holiday, OTC T4 is still available (whereas OTC T3 has disappeared)
Hello, thank you for getting back to me. Apologies for my tardy response, I've been ill with the flu!
Good to know that it's not just me who does OK on a small(ish) T3 dose. I read about so many people on really high doses and it makes me wonder if I'm being really tentative and preventing myself feeling even better.
The magic 98.6 converts to 37 C. I've rarely had a basal body temp of that (lol apart from this week when I've been ill!). I tend to hover around 36.5, give or take.
I've never felt wired or over dosed in T3 (the shaking hands etc as you describe it) I'd be very aware if I had. This is what makes me wonder, should I go further or not. It's hard to say.
Separately but of note, I've recently dropped my T4 to 25mcg from. 50mcg and felt distinctly better for it (now four weeks in, I know it takes longer to clear). I suspect this is owing to a reduction in RT3...I sometimes wonder if I need t4 all anymore but that's probably and experiment for another time if I was going to try.
Crap that there are people out there selling fakes. I'm going to create in a few weeks, will see what is available out there now. If anything.
I just started taking my daily Basel temp this week.
My whole life - since my teens, I knew my “normal “ temperature was a steady 97.2-97.4 (36.2 - 36.3). I knew if I was the “normal” 98.6 that I had a fever.
Now I look back and think - should someone have told me to watch my thyroid???? I’ve read not all people with low temps have a thyroid issue, but that it is an indicator.
Broke my phone, had to get a new one. Slow response from me - so sorry!
My gosh, that is me too! I was always cold as a child and teen, so much that my family used to calle 'cold blooded' as I'd sit on the fire hearth all the time.
Thyroid issues in the family, and lo and behold.... Here I am.
Now on 25mcg T4 and 32.5mcg T3 pd and averaging 36.65/70.
Separately but of note, I've recently dropped my T4 to 25mcg from. 50mcg and felt distinctly better for it (now four weeks in, I know it takes longer to clear). I suspect this is owing to a reduction in RT3...I sometimes wonder if I need t4 all anymore but that's probably and experiment for another time if I was going to try.
That sounds logical - maybe temporarily "forget" upping your T3 for a couple of weeks more and then test to see what's moved (up or down).
Your bio says: Homogeneous for the Dio2 gene. - does that mean you have trouble converting T4 to T3? Is Dio2 the Deiodinase enzyme - DIO2.
I have read that apparently our brains preferentially like T4 - (I have no idea if that is true or not).
Broke my phone, had to get a new one. Slow response from me - so sorry!
Yep I have rubbish conversion and I'm attributing that at least in part to me being homogeneous for DIO2 - yes.
Where did you read about T4 and the brain? That's interesting, not heard of that before, do share any links if you know of any. Yeah, I'm wondering more and more, do I even need T4? At every increment where I've reduced it I've felt better (although in line with T3 increases which would also make sense why I'd feel improvements).
I seem very different to lots of people on these forums in that I have no discernable overeactions or sensitivties to T3 increases. I can jump about and my body just seems to just go 'yeah ok'. And I feel fine. Vitals stable. Like I feel the same in 25 as 35mcg pd. Maybe I'm still wholly undermedicted, that could explain it. But, I feel good!
This is the crux of my 'when do I know if I'm taking enough T3' question. Of course, the lower the better cost and NHS perscription wise.
Thanks all, and again apologies for the super delayed reply, I really appreciate your support.
I'm going to create in a few weeks, will see what is available out there now. If anything.
Did you mean you are going to Crete?
If you did mean Crete, then here's a hot off the press "heads up" (courtesy of one independent Greek TV channel - "T4 WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE" - (this is added to the long list of essential medications that have been decreasingly available for at least a couple of years).
(I will visit my local pharmacy later today and try and find out "what is what" - I will report back).
I've just returned from the pharmacy - apparently there is no problem (currently) with T4. The Greek person who heard the news item may have misheard T3 for T4, or the reporter may have made a mistake (more likely) but either way, I'll try and get to the bottom of that (Chinese Whispers and all that :))
I wish you a wonderful holiday - it's a bit unseasonally warm here at the moment in the daytime but as soon as the sun goes down it's pretty chilly so be prepared).
Roseway Labs in London will do a private prescription for you. All above board. Initial consultation call £50, repeats £30. Pricing varies by product and they make their own too, all very good. They are super professional, very experienced, you will need private blood test results, fill out their pre consultation forms etc. I highly recommend them 🌱
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