told to take 10mcg and 5mcg Liothyronine on alt... - Thyroid UK

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told to take 10mcg and 5mcg Liothyronine on alternate days but it isn't recommended!

HilaryWB profile image
4 Replies

I was seen at the Endocrine Clinic recently. The endocrinologist had requested bloods were taken the previous day by my GP, but I had taken all my thyroid medication (75 Levo and 10mcg Liothyronine ) at about 8am before the GP took my bloods but I did not realise at the time I should have withheld my T3 medication as it spikes and gives an inaccurate reading. My appointment at the Clinic was at 9.30am.

So my Endocrinologist said my FreeT3 is too high at 8.5 ( ? based on the bloods the GP took the previous day?) and has now changed my medication to 10mcg Liothyronine alternating with 5 mcg Liothyronine and leaving my Levothyroxine at 75mcg.

I have tried this but although I am ok on 10mcg but feel so awful on the days I am taking 5mcg, brain fog, weepy, freezing fingers,and exhausted... feels like being Hypothroid to me . I have now found out from this helpful site that "alternating" 10mcg and 5 mcg is a NO!

How can I get my Endocrinologist to stop these alternating Liothyronine doses, as it is playing havoc with me ? I am anxious not to get his back up but don't know how I can get him to at least let me try taking 5mcg twice a day. Would taking 5mcg twice a day and/or witholding my medication before I have thyroid bloods done give a more balanced FreeT3?

I know that FreeT3 spikes after taking it, and those on Liothyronine alone must take it 3 times a day, which would suggest that I would feel better taking my Liothyronine twice a day, but I would need some evidence to support it I think.Has anyone any ideas please?

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HilaryWB
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4 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

those on Liothyronine alone must take it 3 times a day,

Not true. I'm on T3 mono-therapy and I take it once a day, which is fine for me. You take it the way it suits you best, there's no 'must do'. :)

Try telling your endo/GP that you forgot to stop taking your biotin and therefore the results of that test could be skewed and you want a retest. They know about that, even if they haven't a clue about T3 spiking!

HilaryWB profile image
HilaryWB in reply to greygoose

Good advice I will,thanks!

jgelliss profile image
jgelliss in reply to greygoose

👏👏👏👏

Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator

As   SlowDragon suggested in your last post, consider contacting the endo clinic to ask for a re test, as you hadn’t realised that taking a high dose B complex with Biotin has likely invalidated previous readings/ say you will be reduce your dose ‘if’ FT3/ FT4 remains over range…. If you follow forum advice re medication timings prior to the re test then hopefully these will not be elevated.

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