T4/T3 Combi Overmedicated Help Please - Thyroid UK

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T4/T3 Combi Overmedicated Help Please

Sparklingsunshine profile image
23 Replies

I posted yesterday about my recent feelings of overmedication but didnt get many replies.

Its just symptoms, not blood tests, but had palpitations, fatigue, fast heart beat, shortness of breath. Was on 150mcg Levo and 12.5 T3 daily. Also added daily selenium which might have complicated things.

Cut out thyroid meds for 3 days, and feel much better, I just want to know how to get back to a dose that suits. Do I cut Levo or T3. I have felt better since introducing T3 in December but think I was on much hormone. Advice please.

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Sparklingsunshine
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23 Replies
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator

Now that you've already changed your dose or at least paused treatment, no blood results are going to be accurate for another 6-8 weeks.

Have you checked vitamin levels lately and what were the results?

What were your previous results on what dose?

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply toJaydee1507

On 150mcg, Levo 12.5 T3 I had TSH of 0.01 (0.27-4.2) FT4 17.1 (12-22)

FT3 6 (3.1-6.8)

My B12 is sky high due to jabs over 2000

Vitamin D was 80

Ferritin 150

Not sure on folate, was low, around 5 so been supplementing with 1000 mcg daily for months.

QUE6T-33 profile image
QUE6T-33 in reply toSparklingsunshine

Looking at those results I’d reduce your T3 intake & keep your Levo as is.

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toSparklingsunshine

Assuming that you tested with an 8-12hr gap from last T3 dose and blood test I would drop the T3 by 6.25mcgs.

Kiddle profile image
Kiddle in reply toSparklingsunshine

From my experience, I'd recommend finding a doctor to guide you. We are dealing with a hormone that effects so much of the functioning of our body. I hate it when doctors say no two people are the same. Because I want the problem fixed. Unfortunately it is true.

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply toKiddle

I dont have any faith in doctors, from long experience. I trust forum members far more than doctors when it comes to thyroid.

FallingInReverse profile image
FallingInReverse

Also - from previous post, looks like you dropped from 200 to 150 Levo all at once while adding 6.25 mcg T3.

I’m guessing here as I’ve never been on those doses, but it looks like a 50 mcg drop all at once… no wonder 2 weeks later it’s catching up to you?

Am I reading that right?

From personal experience I think it’s really easy to get antsy and panicked and start changing things up a lot or too much. Like trying to steer a big ship, you turn the wheel but nothing seems to happen, and so you turn more… but it’s only weeks later you feel the effects of the first turn … and it will take weeks to course correct back.

I think for us to answer the “how do I get back to a dose that suits” we need a clearer list of exactly what doses you were on & dates of dose changes since December.

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply toFallingInReverse

In December I was on 200mcg, decided to add T3, dropped Levo to 150mcg, added 6.25mcg then 2 weeks later added another 6.25. I felt well and my above results to Jaydee are from mid February. Its only been the last two or three weeks that I've felt overmedicated. I wondered if the recently added selenium I've been taking increased conversion and tipped me over?

QUE6T-33 profile image
QUE6T-33

are your adrenal levels ok?

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply toQUE6T-33

No idea never tested them.

HealthStarDust profile image
HealthStarDust

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Hi SS,

May you just clarify. According to your last post since recently you have been taking 150mcg levo and 6.25 twice a day. Is this correct?

Can you just clarify timeline?

-You was on 200mcg on October

-switched to 150mcg levo and T3 6.25mcg in December

-2weeks later you added another T3 6.25mcg

Is that right?

And, do you have test results for any of these changes?

At a guess, from what you have shared on your previous posts, your T3 is at the very top end of the range and may not suit you. And, reducing your levo may have also helped to increase T3 conversion from T4. Again, it’s just a guess but you could try resuming on 150mcg and add in 6.5mcg initially, and see how you go.

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toHealthStarDust

What were your results on 150mcgs Levo + 6.25mcgs T3 or did you test once you got to 150 Levo+ 12.5mcgs T3?

HealthStarDust profile image
HealthStarDust in reply toJaydee1507

Sparklingsunshine

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply toJaydee1507

Replied above.

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply toHealthStarDust

Yes I tested in February, about 7-8 weeks after adding T3, wanted it to bed in. I've posted my February results to Jaydee.

FallingInReverse profile image
FallingInReverse

HealthStarDust got closer then I did!

200 to 150 in December! Still a big jump.

Also, when I started T3 I jumped in with 10 total and it took me about 9 months for my heart to stop jumping out of my chest. Now to think about titrating I’d go with 2.5 at a time!

Also 3 months ago you changed your HRT, and a month ago you had some steroid treatment for an asthma attack?

If you could clarify your meds timeline too level with corresponding tesults.

I agree you need to pick a dose and commit for the next 6-8 weeks. But hard to see what dose you are might “return” to and what little titrations you might take to get there.”.

HealthStarDust profile image
HealthStarDust in reply toFallingInReverse

With T3 at the top of the range when last tested on both levo 150mcg and T3 6.25mcg X2 along with symptoms, it’s seems sensible to drop one of the 6.25mcg for    Sparklingsunshine

Plus, it’s just sensible to work from the last change in this case with the addition of the extra 6.25mcg of T3. I would start there.

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply toHealthStarDust

I wondered about dropping some Levo, by say 25mcg? 150mcg plus T3 seems quite a lot of hormone. I see other people on combi therapy but not on 150mcg Levo? I wondered if the Levo was too much maybe.

HealthStarDust profile image
HealthStarDust in reply toSparklingsunshine

Possibly. Except your FT4 seems reasonable where as your FT3 is quite high.

Personally, I would drop T3 first, if that doesn’t work drop the levo as you suggest. T3 is fast acting so you will know if that’s the issue I should think.

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply toHealthStarDust

I wondered that but T3 suppresses T4, so I dont know, I felt well from beginning of December until April on my dose, thought I'd nailed it. It's frustrating that its gone a bit Pete Tong.

HealthStarDust profile image
HealthStarDust in reply toSparklingsunshine

I am not sure how t3 suppresses t4 when you are taking both?

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply toHealthStarDust

I'm not sure ofthe mechanics but I see a lot of mention of FT4 coming down when adding T3. I know those only T3 monotherapy often have very low FT4. I'm sure someone understands it lol.

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply toFallingInReverse

I only changed my HRT for 4 days, the patches were useless and I quickly went back on my old tablets. I had one lot of prednisone in hospital, just one 30mg dose. I'm not sure either would have influenced things now. That was Jan/ February. My feeling off has been a recent in the last two weeks thing 😀

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