just had a blood test back. The endo. part is concerning. Currently prescribed Levothyroxine sodium 100 microgram and Liothyronine 20mcg Thybon Henning 2x pd.(latter for past 3 months)
From the get go i refused to take the full dose of T3. At the time of the test in early August, i had built up to taking 30mcg t3 as well as the full amount of Levo. Have been feeling ‘weird’ in the last couple of weeks (feeling of disassociation). I have decided to reduce t3 to 20 and Levi to 50. Early days, but have felt a benefit. I think i was overly medicated. All this on the back of a stroke recovery!
If anyone can explain the results i would be grateful. I do accept that the Vit D is well off and should be in the high 100s. I am now taking 10,000 IU d3 supplement.
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Bluekipper
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OK so you have a false 'high' FT4 and a false 'low' T3. Ideally you should leave 24 hour for levo and 8-12 hours for T3. So, those labs are useless, they don't give you any idea of your true levels, I'm afraid.
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
T3 ….day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test
Is this how you do your tests
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
Do you normally split your T3
i had built up to taking 30mcg t3 as well as the full amount of Levo. Have been feeling ‘weird’ in the last couple of weeks (feeling of disassociation). I have decided to reduce t3 to 20 and Levi to 50.
Was test done after 6-8 weeks being on 100mcg plus 20mcg T3?
Low Ft4 suggests you need dose INCREASE in Levo if last dose was 24 hours before test
Low Ft3 …..depends on how long before test last dose T3 was
No, i added the T3 to the existing Levi prescription. So it did not change. So you are suggesting that i increase Levi to ABOVE 100 and leave T3 at 20? It really is confusing. Having to cope with a return to work after 5 months off with a stroke and then trying to regulate my Levi meds is a real challenge to say the least. But i do appreciate your input
Are you taking levothyroxine on it’s own on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Supplements at least 2 hours away from levothyroxine
Iron, magnesium, vitamin D at least 4 hours away from levothyroxine
on Levo plus small doses of T3 (typically 15mcg per day or 20mcg daily) generally most members find they need Ft4 and Ft3 at least 50-60% through range
After an ischemic stroke it is usual to experience a decrease in T3 levels, and the amount is thought to be related to the severity of the stroke. Also a decrease in TSH (to prevent further thyroid hormone productivity in those with a healthy thyroid gland).
I have found interesting research on an ischemic stroke presenting with thyroid storm that can be both the cause and effect, but have found no research relating to those of us already medicating some form of thyroid hormone replacement.
Any significant amount of stress to the body will decrease T3 levels and it depends on the duration as to how fast the deiodinases (thyroid hormone enzymes) will recover. Deiodinases enzymes are the essential control points that determine cellular activity or the deactivation of thyroid hormones that respond to differing physiologic conditions resulting in different tissue levels of T3 (& T4). Therefore, the answer is not always to increase T3 meds but wait until the body (deiodinases) rights itself.
I experienced a TIA in 2021 (although no discovered clot or bleed 🤷♀️), and which left me with eyesight and hearing impairments on one side, and which both have recovered to the extent I don't even bother explaining to people anymore.
Yep, TIAs don’t leave any trace on MRI as only temporary blockage and brain doesn’t die off. The fatigue was awful. Five x worse than when untreated with hypo. Still residual headaches. It was discovered that stroke (and previous TIAs) were due to a hole in the heart (PFO) which i am probably having closed in October. My endo had no clue of the link between stroke and t3 … go figure. Sorry… bit rambly
Then we are arguing over semantics. I think you actually had an ischaemic stroke not a TIA (or mini stroke as they are laughingly described). Either way i am glad you were left with no permanent effects. It is scary event and i wasn’t expecting it at 57.
Are you taking any supplements to raise vitamin levels to optimal? We need optimal vitamin levels for our thyroid hormone to work well.
10,000iu of vit D is a lot, probably too much. Most people need a minimum of 3,000iu.
Vitamin D should be around 100 - 150. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Many members like the ‘Better You’ range of mouth sprays that contain both bit D & K2. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150. Most people need a minimum of 3,000iu per day.grassrootshealth.net/projec...
What about B12 & folate levels?
Did you do a blood test on 100mcg T4 & 30mcgs T3?
Do you follow the recommended testing protocol for accurate, stable blood results?
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.
For T3, split dose into 2 or 3 and delay last portion until 8-12hrs before blood test.
You have made a huge reduction and likely in time symptoms will catch up with you.
Suggest increasing Levo by 25mcgs and retesting in 6-8 weeks.
thanks for replying. B12 good and i always follow protocol. I’ll have a look at those mouth sprays you suggest. I can confirm that test doe on 30 T3 and 100 levo. Possibly placebo but i feel so much better since making the reductions. I have always had an issue converting so not sure if worth going back up to 100. I will see my endo. In another month and get a further blood test before then.
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