T3 when to take it

[elwins]

have been put on a T3 trial by a private doctor who specialises in thyroid conditions, just wondered what time of day morning and evening is best to take it, as have been told to take it twice a day. Been on thyroid medication for over 70 years. For a underactive thyroid. As members say the thyroid gland is one of the most mistreated conditions around. Had to go private in the end as GPs do not understand it enough. Any help would be appreciated thanks. The private doctor was from a recommended from this site. But due to forum guidelines not able to mention his name.

[DippyDame]

How much T3 has been prescribed?

How long, in this trial, have you been taking T3?

How much levothyroxine are you taking?

Do you have recent lab results that you can post?

How do you feel?

What symptoms do you have?

Sorry about all the questions but it helps to have a picture of what is going on

[elwins in reply to DippyDame]

Thanks for replying take 50 per day, which really is just a starter dose, TSH 0.624 range 0.27-4.2 mlu/L

Free T3 3.9 range 3.1-6.8 pmol/L

Free thyroxine 19.1 range 12-22 pmo/L

Extreme tiredness

Not sleeping well

Dry skin, thinning hair

Bowl problems

He has asked me to cut the t3 into four and take a quarter in the morning and a quarter at night. Then he will review again after a another blood test. Had a zoom meeting with him as he is out of area to me and wanted a thyroid specialist who dealt only in the thyroid not a diabetes/thyroid specialist. Was advised who to see from this fantastic site. He asked for me to get cortisol and certain vitamins tested he will be contacting my Surgery. If they do not do them will arrange private testing. When I get thyroid tested again. Follow all procedures recommended on this site when to take medication and how to test. Thanks again much appreciated.

[DippyDame in reply to elwins]

Are you saying you take 50mcg T3 per day...in reply to my question: "How much T3 are you prescribed?"

If so....then 50mcg T3 is absolutely not a starter dose.

( I need a very high dose of T3-only to function so am aware of dosing protocol)

50mcg is a starter dose for T4....if you are referring to 50mcg T4 then that is totally insufficient and should have been increased considerably before T3 was introduced

What strength of T3 tablet were you advised to cut into quarters?

I'm sorry but I'm still none the wiser as to what doses of T4 and T3 you are taking

But...your FT3 is far too low as you know, and your symptoms reflect that.

Post your next set of results when you have them

Suggest you follow this thyroid expert's advice meantime

Take care.

PS I've just read your early post with your thoughts you may have been born hypo....like you, I was born (1945) before new borns were given a heel prick test and I've had numerous different problems most of my life. My bio gives details of my thyroid journey. I wonder if that might help.

This is a cruel disease not helped by clueless medics....even some of the specialists amongst them!

[elwins in reply to DippyDame]

Sorry should have made it clearer take 50 mcg throxine per day. Thanks for your reply. Endo wants me to trial T3, like you I think I was born with it. Only found out I had a underactive thyroid due to my late Mother pushing to get me sorted. Doctor just told her she was a fussing Mum. I was lucky my mum got me sorted, but went for years of not being tested annually so was never on the correct dose growing up. I agree with what you say and thanks for your help much appreciated. I was born 1948 before the heel prick test was introduced.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to elwins]

TSH 0.624 range 0.27-4.2 mlu/L

Free T3 3.9 range 3.1-6.8 pmol/L

Free thyroxine 19.1 range 12-22 pmo/L

When you do your test is last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test ?

Initially you might need to start more slowly…….just take 5mcg T3 in morning…..after 3-5 days add second 5mcg dose

[SlowDragon Administrator]

when did you last test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

What vitamin supplements are you taking

[elwins in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your reply much appreciated. Tested vitamins end of March and consultant wants me to test again along with cortisol test. Waiting on my doctor to receive copy of letter from consultant to arrange.follow all guidelines re testing as mentioned on this site.

[Forestgarden]

I think you'll need to try different timings to find whats best for you. I'm currently adjusting my daily 75mcg T4 and 15mcg T3 as follows: 50mcg T4 + 5mcg T3 at 7am, then 5mcg T3 at 12.30, followed by 5mcg T3 at 5.30pm, then 25mcg T4 at bedtime. I tried taking all my T4 plus first T3 dose together, but got very jittery, hence splitting my T4 and taking some at bedtime (I also seem to sleep better). I'm finding that about 5-6 hours between T3 doses is about right. Still working on it though!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Forestgarden]

Yes dose and timings all require experimentation as to what suits each individual person

[elwins]

thanks for all your help