How much time after changing dose of T3? - Thyroid UK

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How much time after changing dose of T3?

Soloslim profile image
12 Replies

Hi everybody,

I'm on T3 only and don't know if I'm over- or underdosed.

I've tried lowering my dose in the past but I didn't have the impression it agreed with me. But I never waited for more than a 3, 4 days.

Someone now told me I should maybe try upping my dose and I'm willing to give that a try (although I'm very thin) but if it's too much I don't want to stay too long in that place but I do want to give my body the time it needs to "settle".

How long after changing the dose does one have to wait to go back to previous dose or the add/lower more T3? I presume the body needs time to adjust, but how long before you know for sure?

Thanks in advance!

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Soloslim
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12 Replies
DippyDame profile image
DippyDame

How much T3 are you taking?

Do you split the dose?

How do you feel?

Do you have any symptoms eg anxiety, fast heart rate, hand tremors etc.

3 or 4 days after changing dose isn't long enough to make a decision.

When initialy titrating we leave 2 weeks after a new dose before adding more

6 weeks allows the new dose to settle ....it's a long slow process!

Have you tested FT3 recently?

However, I'm on high dose T3-only and no longer test but use signs and symptoms instead....important to listen to our body

T3 is not a quick fix treatment....time and patience are vital. It's not like taking paracetamol for a headache!

We really need for info

Soloslim profile image
Soloslim in reply toDippyDame

I'm on 62.5 mcg/dag, tablets of 25 mcg, 3/4 at 07.30, 3/4 at 121.30, 3/4 at 17.30, 1/4 at bedtime.

I feel exhausted. I'm very forgetful, can't concentrate, have bad muscle/joint pain, itchy/dry eyes, often dizzy, blurry vision. I should mention I also have adrenal issues.

I haven't tested FT3 recently, my latest blood works were about 2 months ago after a trialof 7 weeks of adding levo (endo wanted it that way ). But I have been on this dose for many many years.

Sorry I don't understand exactly what you are saying: should I wait 2 weeks after adding or removing T3 or 6 weeks?

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toSoloslim

Have you condidered gradually moving towards a single dose of T3 taken at a time that suits you. I take mine (100mcg) at bedtime

The larger dose provides a greater "push" to get the hormone into the cells where it attaches to T3 receptors, becomes active and gets to work!

Splitting didn't work for me but we are all different which makes dosing a tad more of a challenge

I took levo as GP told me for about 15 years and ended up unable to function so I started to do some research....discovered T3 anf this forum and began to recover

Your medics have been spinning you a load of old codswallop

Jusy read greygoose's reply to you 4 days ago.....I totally agree.

I'm 79 and prefer to be in charge....you know your body better than anyone....listen to it and ignore the naysayers!!

In your shoes I'd stick with T3-only but work to slowly combining your T3 into a single dose 62,5mcg....that worked for me much better.

Maybe start with combining the first 2 daily doses and take that in the morning

Similarly combine the other two and take that at night.

See how that feels....if not gteat then slowly combine the two doses into one

You may not need to increase that total dose of 62.5mcg

But...

If you then feel you need more try adding 6.25mcg every 3/4 weeks....and listen to your body it will tell you if something is wrong

Medics make T3 sound as if it's some dangerous, difficult to use medication ( my GP thought I was killing myself....she now sees I'm still here!!) It scares them because they don't understand it.

My GPs now accept what I do and they don't interfere, it's my body and my self sourced T3.

Take control!

Does that help?

Good luck

Soloslim profile image
Soloslim in reply toDippyDame

Thanks.

As a matter of fact I only heard about a single dose recently here on the forum, I'd never heard of it before!

I'm a bit anxious to start with that as I really feel it when I accidently miss a dose. I'm extremely sensitive to even small treatment changes.

But it's something to consider for sure!

When trying to combine doses, how much time should I give it before I change anything else?

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toSoloslim

You probably feel a missed dose because( in very basic terms) there isn't a "reserve" in the cells, and they rely on constant top ups.....

The cells need a constant and adequate supply of T3....or 'the lights" go out

With a larger single dose that T3 is held in the cells which then provides the constant supply which is released in "waves of hormone throughout the day....something similar to what the body does naturally....if the dose is sufficient there shouldn't be a problem with flops during the day....

That is basically the theory of the late Dr John Lowe, a thyroid expert , who took high dose T3-only for decades....I have followed his method and it works for me. Splitting didn't work for me.

When trying to combine doses, how much time should I give it before I change anything else?

Sorry not quite sure what you are asking here but I think the answer is ....about 2 weeks...it depends how you feel some might need a slightly longer time gap.

We are all different so there are no specifics, we need to listen to, and to work with, our body......it's in charge!

Soloslim profile image
Soloslim in reply toDippyDame

Sorry not quite sure what you are asking here but I think the answer is ....about 2 weeks...it depends how you feel some might need a slightly longer time gap.

So I should move my 2nd dose in 1 go to my morning dose? Then wait 2 weeks and then add my night dose to my afternoon dose? No matter what the symptoms are? Or I should wait longer than 2 weeks to see if the symptoms dissolve? What if they don't?

Sorry for the questions but a) english is not my mother tongue so I want to make sure I understand correctly and b) I have autism so I really need clear directives. ;-)

Thanks for your patience.

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toSoloslim

That's fine, I now understand....thank you for sharing.

I'm on 62.5 mcg/dag, tablets of 25 mcg, 3/4 at 07.30, 3/4 at 121.30, 3/4 at 17.30, 1/4 at bedtime

So you are taking 2.5 x 25mcg tablets daily

Which is...

7.30 = 18.75mcg (3/4)

12.30. = 18.75mcg (3/4)

17.30 = 18.75. (3/4)

Bedtime = 6.25mcg (1/4)

I was suggesting that first you combine your two morning doses (underlined) together and take them as one single morning dose....do that in 2 steps if it feels better

New morning total =18.75 + 18.75mcg = 37 .5mcg. = 1.5 tablets

Wait 2 weeks ( or longer if you fell you need more time for the dose to settle) then combine the other 2 doses as an evening dose....

Evening total = 18.75mcg + 6.25 doses = 25mcg = 1 tablet

You will then be taking 2 daily doses

Morning 1.5 tablets

Evening 1 tablet

If that feels ok then wait for 6 weeks to allow the twice daily dosing to settle in your system

After 6 weeks evaluate how you feel on that morning +afternoon doses..... good or not so good.......anxious, shaky, tired, constipated etc

You may feel slightly undermedicated.

At that stage you may wish to start combining to one dose by slowly adding the evening dose ( 1 tablet) to the established morning dose.....you could add a quarter of the( tablet every few days until it is all combined.

OR....you could stick with 2 doses if that feels good

You will feel a bit off colour as you titrate the doses but that should settle.....your overall dose is no different it's just administered differently!

Keep a note of your dose changes and corresponding symptoms and improvements

62.5 mcg may be enough in one dose to help symptoms, if not you can then slowly increase that dose by a quarter tablet every 2/3 weeks

With T3-only it's often trial and error until you find your therapeutic dose

This is just my suggestion based on my own experience.....you may wish to try a different protocol

It will take time so be patient.....I found that difficult!!

Good luck!

Soloslim profile image
Soloslim in reply toDippyDame

Thank you sooooo much for explaining this in detail! It's tedious, I know, but believe me if I say it is extremely helpful. I'll print it out!

I'm going to wait a couple of months before going on this path though. Have just 2 months of my life with the levo experiment and want to get my courage up before trying anything new.

Soloslim profile image
Soloslim in reply toDippyDame

Just 1 other quick question: when you take 1 dose of T3, should it always be exactly at the same time and on an empty stomach?

I now take my morning dose at 07.30, this is normally 1/2 hr before breakfast but if I wake earlier I take my breakfast before my morning dose or around the same time.

Is that a problem?

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toSoloslim

Yes, on an empty stomach for good absorption

I take my dose at bedtime...it's easier to keep the T3 away from food and drinks.....the time of dosing can vary by about half an hour. Fortunately it works for me

But always, you need to keep T3 well away from food and drink...at least an hour before/ after eating / drinks, more is better.

It would be better to establish a more consistent morning dosing time

It's about ensuring the best absorption.

Some people set their alarm early....say 6am or 4am ....take their T3 and go back to sleep...that solves the problem

I'm afraid T3 is a strict master!!

Soloslim profile image
Soloslim in reply toDippyDame

Thank you. Taking it before bedtime isn't an option for me as I take Gaviscon and that can give problems with absorption.

I'll move my morning dose to an earlier time, that's more convenient for me I think.

Thank you again!

Soloslim profile image
Soloslim in reply toDippyDame

I have just read your bio. Wow! You certainly are fearless and persevering lady. I found some similarities as well: the CFS/ME, fibromyalgia, chronic UTI, allergy symptoms...

I have been going over your explanation a couple of times and I just wonder: will going from 2 to 4 doses a day not cause high peaks and high falls? Will doubling my morning dose not cause a huge hyper, going into a terrible dip until my late afternoon dose?

Mind you, I'm not critizing at all or it's not that I'm not open to suggestions, it's just an honest concern. I'm not quite as adventurous as you are and I want to everything covered for when I should start.

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