T3 add on and side effects?

[Ruby3010]

hi, just started T3 20mcg added to my 0.75 Levo ( been on this dose for 10+ years) with ‘stable’ bloods…. Added T3 as low on last bloods…. And feeling soooo tired. Anyone else law has this experience?

[radd]

Ruby3010,

Welcome to our forum and sorry you are feeling unwell.

Generally members report feeling better when starting T3 meds. After I added T3 to my T4 meds I experienced a lovely inner warmth and a horrible headache that lasted about 3 days and then reoccurred with every T3 dose raise but overall my long term hypo symptoms just kept disappearing.

0.75mcg Levo is a low dose. Are you sure you needed to add T3 meds or perhaps just needed a T4 dose raise?

Did you introduce T3 meds slowly, eg 5mcg every 1-2 weeks?

Did you ensure essential cofactors such as iron and nutrients were optimal to support thyroid hormones working?

If you supply any test retests both before and after adding T3 meds complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) members will comment.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

welcome to the forum

75mcg Levo was very low dose unless you are very petite

Please add TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 results from BEFORE starting T3

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)

Ideally Levo dose should be fine tuned first before starting on any T3

Also essential to have GOOD core vitamin levels

With Hashimoto’s low vitamin levels highly likely

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

What vitamin supplements are you taking

When starting T3 it’s important to start SLOWLY, either 5mcg waking up or 2.5mcg waking and 2.5mcg roughly 10 hours later

and only increase slowly up

Typically get to 2 x 5mcg and wait 6-8 weeks before retesting

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

[GlowCoach Administrator]

I think you misread that.

only drink water between waking and test

That doesnt suggest 24hr fasting to me.

[Star13 in reply to GlowCoach]

It was the “and last dose”! Never mind you have missed the point! I’ll delete it as it was only bit of fun which she obviously got as she changed the post.

[12stkeepgoing]

Hi I was put on 20mg T3 after my low thyroid symptoms became so bad I could hardly think, talk or walk. Although I also have neurological condconditions so didn't know if they were causing the symptoms. I saw a doctor at the hospital who did a wide range of blood tests and said it was low T3 and prescribed me 20mg T3.

At first I took them at night with my 100mg T4. I felt much better with in a few months. However because of other medication I changed to taking the T3 and T4 in the morning. I find taking them in the morning better.

I would not let my GP take me off the T3.