Good source of t3

[PapiGirl]

Has anyone sourced their own T3 or is the best option a prescription from a Dr?

I'm 10 years from having total thyroidectomy. T4 only suppression treatment for Papillary Cancer. I've established, through another post and my blood results, that my T4 percentage isnt good and my coversion to T3 is poor.

I'm going to see my Dr but I don't know anything about the types of T3 that are available, synthetic or natural? I want to be prepared when I see her.

Thanks 👍

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

I see that you're in Australia so what is available in Europe may be different to where you are.

T3 is usually synthetic unless you switch to NDT which is dessicated pig thyroids, contains both T4 & T3 but does also have excipients.

Some people in the UK self medicate due to difficulties getting T3 prescribed here. Where possible I would recommend goin to a doctor for a prescription.

[PapiGirl in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks, will do😊 What ratio of T3 to T4 is required?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to PapiGirl]

In practical terms you need both FT4 & FT3 to be around equal at 70% of their range.

You can use this calculator to work out your results percentage through range. thyroid.chingkerrs.online/

Most people need to drop around 25mcgs levo before adding in some T3.

[PapiGirl in reply to Jaydee1507]

Here are my thyroid results. I take four days 150 and three days 100, 900 a week. I used to take 125 daily, when I had a thyroid, 875 a week. The only difference in my results, with thyroid, was my TSH wasn't suppressed. Ibe always had a poor conversion.I dropped my T4 from 150 daily, I had heart palpitations and sweating!

In Australia the T3 meds is Tertroxin (Liothyronine sodium), lowest dose 20mcg.

Am I correct, that T3 has to be taken twice a day? Is that with or without T4?

Thyroid levels

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to PapiGirl]

T3 is better taken in split doses as it works immediately and has a short half life. Depending on how much you end up needing you would take some on waking, then again late afternoon. Maybe a bed time dose if you need 15mcgs+.

[PapiGirl in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks for that, will have a chat with my Dr👍

[Noelnoel in reply to Jaydee1507]

Doesn’t adding T3 naturally reduce FT4

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Noelnoel]

It can do but you can't guarantee it.

[Noelnoel in reply to Jaydee1507]

Would you say it’s preferable/easier/safer to reduce levo when introducing T3 and if FT4 falls too much, increase it again OR introduce T3 without reducing levo, see if FT4 decreases of its own accord and if it doesn’t then reduce levo

Probably a difficult one to answer but worth an ask to see what experiences members have had

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Noelnoel]

I would say that this is an individual thing and depends on the persons blood results on Levo only.

If their FT4 is 85%+ through range then decrease by 25mcgs.

Most people switching to combo treatment have FT4s at the top of the range but not everyone does.

[Noelnoel in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you

[lh22]

I would recommend getting a prescription for T3. That way you know exactly how much you're taking.

[pennyannie]

Good evening :

First off I think you should talk with your doctor as to how you feel and discuss if there are any other treatments options in Australia - and explain to her your current symptoms and what you have learnt from this forum.

You trust this doctor and feel she is invested in your restoring your best health and well being - so surely it is better to have your doctor supportive from the outset, rather than presenting with ' different blood tests ' and a ' slam dunk ' down the road ?

[PapiGirl in reply to pennyannie]

I will speak to my Dr, just needed to know what questions to ask. 👍

[molrom]

You can get T3 as a compounded medication here in Australia. You'll need a script though.

[PapiGirl in reply to molrom]

Thanks 👍