Help with T4 and T3

[Katherine1234]

Hi everyone, I have been taken 75mcg T4 at bedtime. I swapped to bedtime years ago as I felt better. Taking the T4 in the mornings was dire. I could not even start moving until about 2/3 hours later.

I have since been given T3. Now on 20mcg. I take this about 10am in the morning. It is not really doing anything. When I first started it I got some benefits.

I was wondering if I could take my T3 and T4 together before bed.

My last lot of results, I did not write down when nurse told me. They were 18 T4 and T3 about 5 something. TSH was suppressed.

Anyone take both medications at night time?

[greygoose]

There's no reason why you shouldn't take your T3 with your levo at bedtime if that suits you. You'd have to try it to find out.

But have you tried splitting your T3 and taking it two or three times a day? That suits some people better. But, basically, you can take it any time you like.

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

By the way, getting verbal results and having to write them down is not the best way to get them. Too many errors can slip it. You are legally entitled to print-out of your results. Just ask at reception.

[Katherine1234 in reply to greygoose]

The endo nurses always seemed so stressed at my hospital. I quickly asked for results and I could feel the stresses in the air. I have just had another blood test and seeing Endo next week. I will ask for a print out.

[greygoose in reply to Katherine1234]

I expect they are stressed. It's not an easy job. And it must be hard to see that most of your patients aren't getting better and you've no idea why.

Don't be surprised if your endo doesn't want to give you a print-out - and it must be a print-out, you need a hard copy for your records - claiming he hasn't got time for that sort of thing. Most doctors would rather their patients don't know their results because that way they can't argue. Can you ask his secretary, or someone like that?

[Katherine1234 in reply to greygoose]

I will ask endo nurses greygoose, they gave me a printout once before.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I would ask your GP for a print out of your results and share them with us, with ranges (as these can vary between laboratories). We can then see if your thyroid medication is optimal for you.

Have you tested key thyroid vitamins-ferritin, folate, B12 vitamin D? Having these optimal supports thyroid health.

Many people take Levothyroxine and Liothyronine together in one dose, so it may be worth trialling taking all thyroid medication at bedtime.

[Katherine1234 in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you Buddy. I will try this, as I seem to not be getting anything from the T3 now. My energy levels are zero and I am dragging myself around. The good thing about taking T3 it stopped my hair falling out within a couple of days, also my dry skin went. I can also see baby hairs growing. Ferritin high, I am taking copper to try and bring this down and activate iron rather than it just sitting there, I take high dose folate as I am on B12 injections. Vitamin D was ok, chugging to over range last year. I was taking 10,000 iu's a day. I now have a frozen shoulder and might take some more as I read this can be caused by low D. As I have not taking any in a year, might be prudent to start again. I take the rest of the vitamins and minerals. I always have trouble with my electrolyte balance.

[greygoose in reply to Katherine1234]

Did you get your copper tested first? A lot of hypos have high copper, anyway, and low zinc. And the more copper you take the lower your zinc falls. And that will make you feel awful. If you can, you should get them both tested.

Do you get your CRP tested at the same time as your ferritin? CRP is an inflammation marker and inflammation can give false high levels of ferritin.

When on B12 injections, one should take a daily B complex, not just folate. The Bs all work together and need to be kept balanced. Look for a B complex with methyfolate, not folic acid.

[Katherine1234 in reply to greygoose]

Hi greygoose, I take all the B vits and co companions. I cannot take folic acid makes me ill. I was borderline when I tested for copper and borderline for zinc. The neuro thought that my ataxia and numbness was due to low copper. After results come back she did not say a thing. Although those blood tests are not great as only a small amount is carried in blood, whilst you could be severely deficient at cellular level. I take 9mgs of copper a day, it has improved my numb feet greatly and my brain seems to like it. I take 15mgs of zinc 3 times a week.

CRP is normal. has not been like that in a long while. Homocysteine is now down to 8. I hear under 5 is better.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

When you get the results from your GP do share them in a new post. You are legally entitled to copies of all blood tests, but may need to give the surgery a couple of days to provide them.

[Katherine1234 in reply to Buddy195]

I will do Buddy, thank you Xx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Suggest you initially try splitting T3 as 3 or 4 doses spread across the day

Testing

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Even if you don’t usually split your T3 …..

T3 ….day before test ALWAYS split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test

ESSENTIAL to test and maintain good vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels too

[Katherine1234]

Thank you SlowDragon. I am now under Endo, but I never get a blood test appointment until about 12 to 1.30 in the afternoon. I might have a not good result from blood test this time as I forgot to not take my T4 the night before. T3 I waited until after blood test. I have 20 mcg tablets of T3, they are so small and difficult to split. I did try splitting before twice a day. I did not experience any difference. My endo reckons I should take it once a day. It is a minefield