Advice please- should I increase T3 a little now, as advised by prescriber or do bloods first?

[Slowrunner1208]

Looking for some advice. I’m a few weeks into an increase of levo, back up to 100mcg from 75mcg. I was advised by my prescriber to do this and then to increase my T3 v slowly to get to 20mcg from my current 10mcg.

I take both meds together overnight and don’t split my T3. The increase in levo has made a difference. Even though I felt awful at first I am now feeling better. I still tend to get an energy crash mid to late afternoon, it’s like my battery has just gone. I often need to rest / nap. This makes me think a slight increase in T3 might be good but perhaps not up to 20mcg.

I’d planned to test after the levo increase only. However a few things mean I’m a bit skint & I’m wondering if it’s ok to slowly increase to 15mcg T3 and then pay for only one test? I want to include vitamin d, iron and ferritin so the test will be a bit more expensive anyway.

What do people think, am I thinking along right lines? Or should I do a levo only test and find a way to make it work - I can live on beans for a bit 😉

As always any wisdom greatly appreciated!

[GlowCoach Administrator]

T3 is an immediate acting, active hormone. Have you tried splitting it 5mcgs morning and 5mcgs late afternoon? This might help your afternoon crash.

If at all possible I would recommend getting a test run once on your current dose for 6-8 weeks.

[Slowrunner1208 in reply to GlowCoach]

I’ll try splitting the T3, thanks for that suggestion. I think I’ve hesitated as trying to keep the right gaps in terms of food and supplements. 😊

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to Slowrunner1208]

T3 is fairly readily absorbed unlike Levo so don;t be too concerned about timing other supplements.

The main supplements that affect absorption of other things are iron and magnesium so if you are taking those space well apart from Levo & T3.

[tattybogle]

My twopenneth ~ if a change in dose has already had some positive improvements . don't rock the boat . give the body chance to optimise what it's doing . stay on 100mcg levo for AT LEAST l 6-8 wks preferably longer .... then test TSH / fT4 / fT3 ...asses how you feel , and only then decide what (if anything) to do next .

Making changes to soon on the basis of 'i feel better, but i could feel better still' often results in shooting yourself in the foot.

allow the body enough time to continue to get it's ducks in a row, before giving it anything different to deal with .

[McPammy]

Your afternoon crashes could be too much thyroxine. Try splitting your T3 5mcg as you wake and 5mcg 8hrs later. No need to avoid food with T3. I also split my levothyroxine dose. Remember crashes can be too much thyroxine T3 or T4 or both. Over and under medication can feel similar. I’d get bloods checked before any changes are made. You need to be careful and informed.

[greygoose]

Maybe no need to avoid food. Maybe not. Depends on the person. But every need to avoid supplements like iron, etc, because they will bind to the hormone and you won't absorb it.

[Lottyplum in reply to greygoose]

Had a v busy day so only now reading today's questions/answers! So, could you clarify the T3/supplements+food issue, please. I take Levo +T3 (5mcg) on empty stomach @6am. Take supplements@least 2 hrs afterwards, other than magnesium, which is 4 hrs after T3. My D3/K2 is Better you spray. I have 2 more doses of T3 afternoon+evening but have tried to take them on an empty stomach which at times has been an issue, esp when eating out or at family or friends. So, is it necessary to take my T3 doses on an empty stomach? Thinking of the afternoon/evening doses in particular? If not necessary, that would be wonderful!! Thank you in advance!!

[Slowrunner1208]

thanks greygoose McPammy tattybogle GlowCoach

I’m going to wait another couple of weeks and redo bloods with the levo only addition.

Also going to split T3 into two 5mcg doses & take one when I wake up and one in the afternoon. I currently take B complex, folate and sertraline just after breakfast. I take fish oil & zinc at lunchtime and magnesium early evening. Vit D / K2 spray is in between all that.

Do I need to rejig these as I make proposed changes to T3?

It’s a bit of a complicated business balancing everything esp with a foggy brain!

Thanks again 🙏🏻

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to Slowrunner1208]

Just leave your supplement regine as is and split the dose.

[Slowrunner1208 in reply to GlowCoach]

Thank you GlowCoach really appreciate the advice 😊