Need for less thyroid hormone replacement in summer

[LucyYoga]

Hello everyone,

Just a general question as to whether any of you find that you need less thyroid hormone in the summer months?

I’ve been well on a dose of combination t4/t3 for about 8 months now- having found my sweet spot last October. However over the past couple of weeks I’ve been experiencing symptoms that I know for me are signs of over medication -throbbing aches and pains my legs, burning feet and tongue and general fatigue.

My lifestyle/diet is totally dialled in and all my vits and minerals are optimal.

Im aware that TSH naturally lowers in the summer months.

Just interested to know if anyone else has had this issue.

Thankyou

[Anthea55]

Dr Barry Durrant-Peatfield, the author of 'Your Thyroid and how to keep it healthy' says that he has taught his patients to reduce their dose in hot weather or increase it slightly in cold weather.

[LucyYoga in reply to Anthea55]

Thankyou

[Anthea55 in reply to LucyYoga]

In his book (paperback version) it's on page 137 where he calls it the 'season factor'. In the kindle edition it's much easier to find. This book is well worth reading. I've seen people referring to it as their 'bible'.

[LucyYoga in reply to Anthea55]

Thanks - I’ve actually got the book but I missed that part! Will look it up.

[Regenallotment]

yes, snap! I asked a similar question recently

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

and then tested. FT3 was right at the top of range. (And last 1/2 dose was 3pm with a 6am draw) I’ve dropped from 20mcg to 15mcg it’s only day 5 week 1 and the slightly edgy fizzy and hungry feeling has vanished.

I hadn’t remembered seeing it in Peatfield, I’ll look it up. 🌱

[Anthea55 in reply to Regenallotment]

The index is not too helpful for things like that. That'a why I bought the kindle version.

[LucyYoga in reply to Regenallotment]

Interesting! Thanks Regen. I’ll read your post. Hope you are doing well x

[radd]

LucyYoga,

In healthy people with a thyroid gland T3’s vast majority is gained through periphery conversion by of deiodinases DIO1 and DIO2. And there are studies evidencing seasonality in these peoples thyroid/deiodinase functions, eg higher T3 levels in the colder months and less T3 during the warmer.

Given thyroid hormones centrality to thermoregulation and energy, and as we medicaters don’t have the luxury of this HPT axis variation, it would seem prudent that med changes are appropriate. I used to take 1/4 grain NDT more in winter but haven’t needed to change my meds for a couple of years now meaning perhaps there are other well functioning compensatory measures now at play as my wellbeing continues to grow.

I’m out on my phone atm so can’t go investigating but there’s a Tania Smith blog on this subject that’s worth reading. Check out the Thyroid Canada website (or whatever it’s called 😬).

[LucyYoga in reply to radd]

Thankyou Radd