T3 ...How much should I take???

Hi everyone

haven't posted on here for a while, as I've been a bit depressed with how I'm feeling and how my GP is dealing (or not dealing) with my hypothyroidism. I could really do with some advice.....I'm on 100mcg of levothyroxine daily, my TSH is .070 ( I believe that is what she said) and although it's this low I'm suffering with a list of "Hypo" symptoms including being constantly cold, I have daily headaches, sinus problems, weight gain, aching joints, bruising, hair loss, bad nails, and the list goes on. All my GP wants to do is keep lowering my thyroxine dose and I have been advised by my Endo not to go lower than 100mcg. I am completely frustrated and have lost total faith in my GP. I have read that a lot of Hypo sufferers benefit from an additional supplement of T3, which my GP has constantly told me is not available in the UK ( I have now found out that it is available, and my local pharmacy stocks it!!! Grrrrrrr) I have also constantly asked for my T3 levels to be checked but every time I have my bloods done, the lab refuse to do the test as they say it's not necessary??? ( more like it's too expensive !!).....So, I am now having to try and sort myself out without the support and help from my GP. I have managed to obtain some T3 from a very reliable source and I am wondering just how much I should start on??? I'm thinking of taking 75mcg of levo and 6mcg of T3 which would be equivalent to 100mcg of levo. If anyone has taken T4 and T3 together, could you please give me some advice on how to start as I don't want to make myself Hyper, but I need to do something as I'm in a living nightmare.

Cheers

Loz
x

Thank you for your advice. As you said, it's really difficult in persuading your GP to do a referral especially with something like hypothyroidism. The last time I went to speak about an alternative medication I was told I was bullying him into giving me a med that he didn't want to prescribe, and that there was a baby outside that he had to see??? When you're up against that sort of reluctance and insensitivity you really feel like not bothering with GP's and just sorting it out yourself. I do appreciate that toying with meds is potentially tricky, but I'm in a situation where my GP doesn't want to know, and I'm suffering daily. I can't change GP's as no one is taking on in my area, so I'm basically stuck with all these problems and know one to help me sort it out....it sucks!!!

Never be afraid to bully your doctor. If that's the only thing he responds to, that's what you need to do. In fact, I actually told a doctor once "I know you think I'm a *****, but that's the only thing you respond to. Unless you change, don't expect me to." I've found if you're persistent enough, people will sometimes give you what you want just to get you out of their face.

That said, labs are usually a good indicator of what is going on with your thyroid, so you might want to think about other causes. I've found that when I get anxious about my health, my symptoms intensify, so I try to catch myself on that. Could that be an issue with you?

Sorry about how you are feeling. I have a wonderful doctor who specializes in endocrine disorders. I am currently taking Cytomel 7.5mg to treat the symptoms of Hashimoto's. I felt only slightly better treating the T4 and switched 1 year ago. Hope this helps..