What are the best intervals to increase T3 doses.

[inthedoldrums]

I started T3 only treatment of 2.5mcg on 17/4/24

Then increased to 5mcg after 16 days.

Then increased to 7.5mcg after 21 days.

I have been on 7.5mcg for 27 days now.

I take 2.5mcg at 09.00, 2.5mcg at 13.00 and 2.5mcg at 21.00.

I am having a reasonable improvement without bad side effects and feel my body is coping well with it and not stressed. I have ME/CFS which I now think is probably severe hypothyroidism as I do not convert well at all having inherited D102 etc from both sides of my family. Jackpot 😂

I sent my bloods off on Monday so am waiting for the results but am pretty sure that I will need to increase again.

My question is what is the best time to wait before increasing doses. Sometimes I read 2 to 3 weeks and sometimes I read 6-8 weeks and how long do you keep improving for after a dose increase before you stabilise or drop back again.

Also, when is the optimum time to do your bloods as I think i may have jumped the gun with this test as some people say 6-8 weeks after dose change is best. Thank you for any help you can give.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

It takes 6-8 weeks minimum for blood results to level out after a dose change so bloods run after only a month wont be accurate.

Suggest retesting after a full 8 weeks on current dose. Include levels for key vitamins ferritin, folate, B12 & D3 if you havent had them done recently.

What supplements are you taking?

From where you are now adjustments either way would be every 6-8 weeks.

Did you do the test as per the protocol recommended here? Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw, last T3 dose 8-12 hours before blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process).

Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

[inthedoldrums in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks for that. It is just what I needed to know.

I take Vit D3 and K2 daily as I was very low on D3 on an earlier blood test. I take B12 sporadically as I was very near top of the range with that on my last bloods. I don't take biotin at the moment either.

I took my last dose of T3 on Sunday evening at 9PM and tested at 09.00 on the Monday morning and sent it off straight away. I hadn't eaten since 19.00 the previous evening .

I did the Blue Horizon Gold blood test which includes lots of vitamins and morning cortisol so at least I will find out that side of things as I am quite curious about my magnesium level and morning serum cortisol level.

My last test in March showed morning serum Cortisol as High - 710 nmol/L Std range 133-537. I wonder does this mean I should take my 21.00pm T3 earlier as I sometimes have trouble sleeping. I wonder if you have any ideas on this, I am leaning towards the idea of gradually bringing the evening dose earlier and earlier as I do have a low point starting around 17.00.

I am delighted whatever as when I was so ill when it all started my saliva tests were very, very low all through the day.

I will order another test so that I can do it at the right time and thank you again for being so helpful.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to inthedoldrums]

It looks like you timed your dosing before the test correctly but unfortunately not enough time on that dose.

Timing of T3 doses is an individual issue so do experiment and find what works for yourself.

The point of taking a B complex is to help balance out all the B vitamins. They also contain folate which most people need.

Having an over range B12 evel isnt an issue as any excess is excreted via urine.

B complex suggestions: Slightly cheaper options with inactive B6:

amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...

Contains B6 as P5P an active form:

bigvits.co.uk/thorne-resear...

healf.com/products/basic-b-...

Explanation about the different forms of B6:

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

B complex comparison spreadsheet:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[inthedoldrums]

Thank you so much for that. I feel much clearer now about it and I will look at the B complex.

Best wishes.