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Adding T3 ot current Synthroid T4 only treatment, looking for feedback

Hello, almost 8 weeks pospartum and for the past year and half been on Synthroid 50 mcg (was increased slightly during pregnancy to 50 Mcg 5 days week and 100 mcg 2 days week). Still on the later dose.

Noticed swelling, inappropriate weight gain despite vigorous running and strict low carb diet. Swelling of hands and eyelids.Weight is going UP instead of down postpartum. Had labs done last week and went to Endo today. She put me on 5 mcg generic Cytomel 2 x a day. I was lucky that despite the normal TSH and decent T4 she listened to my symptoms.

MY QUESTION--has anyone else used the addition of T3 to your usual T4 treatment? Did this help with weight loss/swelling? Did it help to balance out the T3 in general--or make things worse?

Any feedback (good or bad) is welcome. Thank you!
Below are my labs for reference---

TSH           0.615  (0.450-4.500)
Free T4     1 .30 (0.82-1.77)
Free T3      2.8    (2.0-4.4)
Vita D         43.7   (30 to 100)  
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Avatar universal
Yes, NDT (and what I incorrectly typed as NCT) is natural desiccated thyroid med, of which there are a number of brands, such as Armout Thyroid, NatureThroid and Westhroid.  

Wow I didn't do very well with my typing.  I also notice that I said, " your Free T4 is adequate, at 50% of its range.  Free T4 is only at 33 % of its range, which is too low for many people."  Of course I meant Free T3 is only at 33% of its range, which is too low for many people.  
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much gimel---
I'm sorry-- what is NDT? Are you referring to Armour?
Yes, my endo told me to be very careful at lab draws and the timing of meds---especially with the cytomel since its so rapid acting.
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Avatar universal
I started with T4 for many years and gradually got up to a dosage of 200 mcg daily, and still had lingering hypo symptoms.  After finding this Forum I learned about the importance of Free T3 and got mine tested and confirmed as low in the range.  convinced by doctor to switch me to Armour Thyroid to provide a separate source of T3.  After some dosage adjustment I felt better than I could even remember.  Now, due to some issues with Reverse T3 I am taking both Armour Thyroid and Cytomel, and feeling great.  

Of course weight gain can be related to a number of things, including diet and exercise; however, since you mention inability to lose weight even with vigorous running and strict dieting, low metabolism should be considered.  So, looking at your test results, your Free T4 is adequate, at 50% of its range.  Free T4 is only at 33 % of its range, which is too low for many people.  We usually recommend that it be in the upper third of the range, or as needed to relieve symptoms.  Note this info from a good thyroid doctor, "in tests done about 24 to 28 hrs after their last daily dose, most people on adequate NDT therapy have a suppressed TSH. They usually have FT4 levels that are 1 to 1.3ng/dL, and free T3 levels that are rather high in the range or even slightly above the range. The higher FT3 level compensates for the lower FT4 levels on NDT."

Of course you are not on NCT med, but you are taking both T4 and T3, so the recommendation applies.  In addition, note the part about deferring your meds until after the blood draw for tests.   If that is not done, it can cause a false high result for Free T3.  Do you defer your meds until after blood draw?

Since hypo patients are so frequently low in the ranges for Vitamin  D, B12 and ferritin those should be tested and supplemented as needed to optimize.  D should be about 55-60, B12 in the very upper end of its range, and ferritin should be about 70 minimum.  Low levels can cause symptoms that mimic hypo symptoms.  Also low levels of D and ferritin can adversely affect metabolism of thyroid med.  
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