What supplements are most important when taking T3?

[JonnyA]

I’ve been taking liothyronine only for around 3 years now (just shy). When I first started taking it, the difference was night and day - after years of feeling and looking terrible I felt great.

Almost 3 years in, I’m taking more T3 than I used to and yet not feeling as good. It did occur to me at the outset that I used to take supplements like zinc, magnesium and ashwaghanda at some point, but stopped somewhere along the line.

Are there any supplements that are particularly important / essential to getting the most out of T3 only treatment?

Thanks!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Optimal levels of B12, folate, D3 & ferritin are needed for best use of thyroid hormone.

Sometimes your GP can offer these tests but if not then you can buy a private test.

See link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

Several other companies are available including Onedaytests & Randox. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

[DippyDame]

How much T3 are you taking and how are you splitting that dose?

What symptoms do you have?

Perhaps you need to raise your dose slightly.

On T3-only we really have to dose by symptoms

Listen to your body, it will tell you if something is wrong!

Have you tested vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin lately....vit D level has a sneaky habit of being low!

I need high dose T3-only ( currently 125mcg) and found splitting didn't work for me.....full dose at bedtime.

Optimise those nutrients and I'm sure you are keeping an open mind about dose timing

[JonnyA in reply to DippyDame]

That’s interesting re: splitting / not splitting. I’m currently taking 200mcg, split four ways. I know that’s a LOT, but it certainly doesn’t give me any hyperthyroid symptoms.

What difference did you find taking it all at once, as opposed to splitting?

[DippyDame in reply to JonnyA]

As I understand it the larger single dose provides a greater "push" against any resistance from the cell walls alllowing more of the hormone to enter the cells, reach the nuclei, attach to T3 receptors and so become active. T3 remains inactive until this stage is reached.

Basically more push provides more power to overcome resistance!

I took 212.5 mcg in a single dose before I felt overmedicated. Increased activity seems to cause at least some of the dormant T3 receptors to revive so requiring less hormone to do the job!..I now need 125mcg.

You may find slowly moving to a single dose is more effective.

It's late so hope that makes sense...and helps.

[JonnyA in reply to DippyDame]

Yes, it makes sense, thank you. I have read some of the work of John C Lowe previously which suggests something similar. I will give it a go; my heart rate seems to be the best barometer of under and over-medication (if I stop taking T3 it drops from around 70 bpm to around 30 - 35) so I will keep an eye on that.

[DippyDame in reply to JonnyA]

My resting heart rate is around 65 - 70bpm....I check it most days

Please let us know how you get on.

[JonnyA in reply to DippyDame]

Will do, thank you. One last question, sorry - any reason why you take your dose at bedtime, rather than first thing (or even midday)?

Thanks!

[DippyDame in reply to JonnyA]

Nothing scientific...just convenience!

It keeps it well away from other medications and supplements.

I'm all for making life easy and multiple dosing seems such a clock-watching faff....maybe I'm just lucky it works for me....or maybe I've trained my body to accept it that way..... either way I have no dosing problems.

Understanding what we are doing, and why, is key otherwise we end up chasing rainbows!!

Many medics are clueless about using T3 and just make a drama of the whole thing.

We are here to help...just ask!