Cytomel decrease

[toni2251]

As you all know I have been struggling to get regulated. I am up to 3/4 of my levoxyl and I can feel my body healing. My light sensitivity was much better today. Ok my question is could my need of cytomel been due to the fact that I was undermedicated for so long? I've been taking 15-20 mcg of cytomel. I'm wondering will my t3 increase on its own with the levoxyl increase?  What causes t3 not to convert?  Please help me better understand. Taking meds three times a day is tiring. Thanks!

[toni2251]

Ok thank you so much!

[FTB4]

Your T3 does not convert, your T4 converts to T3, she is saying you could back off a bit on the Cytomel (T3) and see if you are converting from T4 to T3 on your own  FTB4

[toni2251]

So are saying that my t3 could possibly eventually begin to convert and will my blood levels tell that or should I just see how I feel or both?

[goolarra]

Cytomel works much faster than levo, so it will make you feel better sooner.  My experience with T4-only meds is that once FT4 is stable, it often takes FT3 a while to "catch up", i.e. FT3 often keeps rising quite a while after FT4 levels stabilize.  After FT4 stabilizes, conversion often takes some time to ramp back up, and the whole body has to rebalance.  Healing can take even longer.

No one knows why some people convert slowly, but my observation is that slow conversion doesn't happen in people not on thyroid meds.  Perhaps it has to due with the fact that we take our meds once a day in one fell swoop instead of having a constant supply of T4 all day???

Watch your FT3 and FT4 numbers.  You could try cutting back on Cytomel slowly to see if conversion replaces the Cytomel.  However, as always...one thing at a time so you can really isolate its effects.Change too many things at once, and you're guessing...