I've been on T3 (in addition to T4) for several years now, I source my T3 from Czech Republic. 125mcg of NHS prescribed T4, plus 12.5mcg of T3, split into 2 doses. It manages my symptoms reasonably well.
At the beginning of this month I asked the person who I normally source the T3 through to send me another 6 months worth of meds. They tried, and were told that as of October the meds (French manufactured Cynomel) were no longer being distributed in Czech Republic, and that there currently is no alternative.
I have spoken to my GP last week (they are aware I'm on privately sourced T3, as is an endocrinologist they referred me to 2 years ago due to concerns about suppressed TSH), and asked if they can suggest how I could source T3 privately here. The GP was surprisingly helpful, said that he will find out, but has not gotten back to me yet.
I have only 3 days worth of T3 left. I assume I'll have to up my T4 significantly to account for no T3, but I don't know by how much. GP was unsure.
Any advice would be grately appreciated.
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Jushkie
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Welcome aboard, we know nothing about you and such a drastic drop in levo to be replaced by a shocking large dose of 20mcg T3 is likely to end badly 😕 Worth filling in your bio with your results this was based on and maybe starting your own post
Thank you for replying, I had no idea that was considered drastic but I have felt shocking. This change happened on 30th sept from 150 Levothyroxine. They've made changes like this for 18mths now. I'm new so I'll go complete my bio, I'm requesting full history results so I'll post one I have those (and due next check on 6th Jan).
Sorry to hear you are feeling bad, some Consultant really haven't a clue... this kind of extreme change in dosing is never well tolerated, T3 is powerful stuff, small changes help you sneak up on your sweet spot, if you also have any results for folate, ferritin, B12 and Vit D they'd be helpful too 🤗
They assume that 25 mcg levo equals 5 mcg T3, but there's no guarantee that it does. It depends how well you convert, and there's no way you can calculate that.
How much levo were you on before you started the T3?
In any case, you can only increase levo by 25 mcg every six weeks. Any more would be too much and your body would have difficulty adjusting to it. You'll just have to increase it by that much now, before your T3 runs out, and see how you go in six weeks time. Increase again then, if necessary.
Thank you for your reply :)I was on 125mcg of levothyroxine, still very symptomatic, T4 in range but T3 very low. With 125mcg of T4 and 12.5mcg of T3 I'm hovering in the upper quarter for both most of the time (I do private blood tests every 6 months).
I'll increase levothyroxine by 25mcg for now until I can source more T3.
10 mcg liothyronine equates to about 30 mcg levothyroxine doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2265... .This would mean increasing your levothyroxine dose by about 40 mcg but I would compromise and increase by 25 mcg. I would take an extra 50 mcg levothyroxine for the first couple of days due to the long half-life of levothyroxine. Also, skip a day's worth of levothyroxine when you revert back to liothyronine.
Jushkie, you may receive private messages telling you where you can buy T3 from without prescription. Do be aware that scammers lurk here waiting to contact people like yourself. As you don't appear to have been active on the forum for a long time. you may not have seen our post about this. Click this link to read it healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Suggest you go back yo your g.p. to tell them you have only 3 days of t3 left. Ask for emergency private prescription to tide you over to endo appointment.
I expect the self sourced supplies are like to take more than 3 days to arrive, so I would see if you can get a source first before going down t4 route.
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GP visit and conversation on T3 advice needed.
Update: GP Reducing Levo - TSH Low / T4 / T3 in range
How do you titrate off T3/T4 to T4 only?
Advice needed...
Advice in advance of blood tests
