T3 clearing the body

[Indigourchin]

Hello

Thanks to all who help on this list. Sorry I can't offer more help, still , it seems, in some post Covid state.

I tried to look through past posts to see how long T3 takes to leave the system. I think it was recommended not to take for 8 hours before a blood test.

I'm going to get some private blood tests, thought my Gp might request some when he wrote my repeat private prescription for T3 . Of course I was glad he wrote the script but had been off VIt B complex and anything else containing Biotin etcetera, came home started them again and then thought it is a long time since i really felt well maybe i would get bloods just to check, so i've stopped taking them again. Now of course I'm wondering if I'm not feeling good without the various Vitamins I usually take, rather than for any other reason.

On another issue I should really have another Dexa scan, but I'm scared what it will show and what i would likely be offered if as i suspect there is Osteoporosis. Obviously i realise just to leave it would be foolish but is there a plan of action I can suggest to a Gp , I do not want to take bisphosphonates, and have some trouble with calcium.

many thanks, wishing you all good health

[greygoose]

It depends how much T3 you're been taking. The half-life of T3 is about 24 hours, so you could work it out roughly.

But the 8 hours between your last dose and the blood draw is not to clear it out completely, it's to test your normal circulating level.

Calcium is not the most important nutrient for bones. Vit D and magnesium are far more important.

[Indigourchin in reply to greygoose]

thank you grey goose that is very helpful

[greygoose in reply to Indigourchin]

You're welcome.

[cabro2]

I’m in the US and my last DEXA showed osteoporosis. After much thought and reading/research, I told my doctor I had chosen to go against medical advice (AMA) and not take osteoporosis medications. The side effects were very worrisome for me, considering my multiple medical conditions, my extensive list of drug intolerances, and my concern over having to stop any biologic after 5 years, which would result in rapid bone loss. We had discussed it at length at my previous appointment, and he accepted my decision without argument.

I would want to to get a DEXA and know my status. I am much more diligent now with my activities and thoughtful about fall prevention. I know I could be in big trouble with any sort of fall. Good luck with your decision.

[Indigourchin in reply to cabro2]

Thank you cabro2, i feel much the same way but will get a DEXA so I know how severe the situation is and i would rather keep medications for later. Thank you again

[buddy99]

This is just my opinion, so caution is advised. It would certainly be informative to know what the bone mass is. So the DEXA could be useful. From what I understand the results are not reliable as different machines render different results. Nonetheless they might give some hint about the status of the bone. Any medication to increase bone density comes with adverse effects. I think you are right to carefully weigh risk and benefit. In addition there is the question of bone quality over bone quantity. These medications prevent the osteoclasts in one way or another to take away "defective" bone. So the bone mass increases, but the quality of the bone is very poor. My cousin, a pharmacist, described taking the meds like this: Imagine your house is scanned and it turns out there are bricks missing. The integrity of the structure comes into question. So to fix the situation a big pile of bricks is dumped into your living room and now the house has all the bricks. Is it more stable, though? I think unless you sneeze and your ribs break or you shake hands and your fingers break, osteoporosis drugs are to be regarded with caution. Falls are the number one cause of fractures. So fall prevention is key. Weight bearing exercise and balanced nutrition might be able to halt the process. On the osteoporosis forum it was shared that osteoporosis had been upgraded to osteopenia after a time (don't remember what time span) of an exercise regimen and careful nutrition. In some cases getting some bone mass back seems possible.

Having said all that, I very often heard from doctors that taking T3 will eat my bones, that TSH below interval will eat my bones etc. The research on that seems to have yielded mixed results. We don't know. It certainly is a "good argument" to scare patients into not wanting to take T3 and to rather make sure their TSH is where "it belongs" while quality of life goes out the window. I would certainly continue to gather as much information as possible. A book I found very helpful is "Dr. Lani's no-nonsense bone health guide....."

[Stills in reply to buddy99]

Very good analogy from the pharmacist

[Indigourchin in reply to buddy99]

Thank you so much buddy99, I shall look into that book and must start doing weight bearing exercise. Much appreciated

[Forestgarden]

Hi there, have a look at this for t3 half life and clearance. thyroidpatients.ca/2020/06/...

[Indigourchin in reply to Forestgarden]

Thanks Forestgarden, that is. As very interesting article. I’ll have to read it through again but certainly sudden cessation of T3 seems a bad thing for the patient. Thank you for sending