Endo changed meds - T3 only to T4/T3

[marigold22]

For decades I've been on T3 only with various doses, for the last six years on 40mcg a day. I got called into the prescribing hospital yesterday & the head professor endo told me that I must change to 50mcg of T4 and 20mcg of T3 a day. I'm very nervous about how I will fare on that combination. This is no doubt due to my very low TSH. Is 50/20 anywhere near a 40mcg dose of T3?

[jimh111]

20 mcg LT3 is equivalent to about 60 mcg LT4 so it is pretty much the same. It will take much longer for the T4 to build up due to its longer half- life so I suggest you gradually reduce your LT3 after starting the LT4.

[marigold22 in reply to jimh111]

Thanks jimh111

[TiggerMe]

Presumably you've tried T4 in the past and ended up T3 only as it worked best?

Have they been testing your fT3 levels over this period so that you know what level you need to feel well? Assuming you have been well on 40mcg T3

If this is all about getting your TSH back into range then it is very unlikely to work as many of us on even small doses of T3 combined with larger T4 have low TSH... and as you say it has been years since your pituitary sent any signals so unlikely to wake up now.... if they are concerned about your heart and bones why don't they test them before meddling?

Low fT3 is also very bad for your health as are many Endo's 😕

[greygoose]

Why 'must' you? Because they don't want to prescribe it anymore because it's too expensive? Personally, I would just refuse out-right. Now way, José! Why do they have to keep meddling with people's doses when they're doing alright on that dose? To justify their existance? I would say that's unjustifiable!

Is the new dose anywhere near 40 mcg T3? Depends how well you convert. It's all very well in theory saying that x amount of T4 = y amount of T3, but in practice it rarely works out that clear cut. I'd tell him to take a running jump at himself, and stick his levo where the sun don't shine! It's your life he's messing with, not his.

[marigold22 in reply to greygoose]

This has been brewing for some time. To be honest I am battle weary and felt I had no option but to agree. Ultimately they hold the power to stop any T3 prescriptions. Extremely scary

[greygoose in reply to marigold22]

It is scary - especially as they haven't a clue what they're doing or the consequences for the patient!