Trial T4/T3 Therapy - Commenced

[Mazza44]

Hello knowledgeable comrades,

My 3 to 6 month trial has commenced and I am now day 3 of;

100 mcg Levo (accord) which is same as usual.

5mcg Lio T3 (Roma capsules).

I'm taking both in the morning and (so far) no adverse effects.

Blood test week commencing 14th December and Endo said possible increase (or not) to 10mcg.

Couple of questions -

How long does it generally take to feel any improvement?

Will my free t4 drop a little naturally even though staying on same dose? (I was 88% through range and think lower would be better - I think it was higher due to non conversion and I have no idea what my thyroid is capable of trying to do any more after 25 years, but I suspect it does try to do "something" as one of my symptoms is transient hoarseness which coincides with dips... I feel like a car with a clutch that keeps slipping!)

Anyway - I would be interested to hear your experiences.

Thanks in advance.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Will my free t4 drop a little naturally even though staying on same dose? (I was 88% through range

Yes many people find Ft4 drops adding T3

How long does it generally take to feel any improvement?

Some people notice immediately, others it’s more of a slow burn

Vitamin and thyroid results in previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

[Mazza44 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you... 4 days in and I do think I feel an improvement in energy. Fingers crossed!

Whilst writing, can you recommend a good folate and magnesium supplement?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mazza44]

Rather than just folate…..a vitamin B complex may be better

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid supplements

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Igennus B complex popular option. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose and may need separate methyl folate couple times a week

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) Thorne can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement

(eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg)

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mazza44]

Loads of different magnesium supplements available

If you need something for improving constipation…..Calm vitality magnesium powder (mag citrate) can help. Taken in evening ….at least 4 hours away from Levo….start with half teaspoon in small glass water and increase dose over next week or so until get desired effect…too much can cause diarrhoea

Ones that don’t affect gut

Thorne magnesium citramate. Large capsules. Personally I open and tip in small glass water

Igennus Triple magnesium. Use to be powder in large capsules. Now a very large solid tablet…..can crush and cut up to a powder and add to glass water

[Mazza44]

Thank you for taking the time to offer advice. Much appreciated.