do I need some T3?

[VictoriaT]

Hello,
I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. I'm on 125mcg levothyroxine, TSH was 1.0 a few weeks ago. I still feel very tired and weak, with hot flush/feverish feeling at minimal exertion. I am not suffering from hyper as I had these symptoms before I went on meds (which was in March this year). My recent T3 result was: 5.3 (range 3 - 7.5). Is it reasonable to try some synthetic T3 and if so what sort of amount/in what ratio to the T4?
Many thanks.
VictoriaT

[GravesLady]

T-3 for conversion problem, however, is rare, is appropriate. Although you  didn't list your F/T-4 so there is no way to tell.  However with your T-3 just about in mid center of Labs ref. range suggest to me that its not a conversion problem. TSH of 1.0 and T-3 is in  Labs middle ref. range  - what more can you ask for  ;) Gee! I wish my levels were just as good.

T-4 Replacement hormone  is chemically identical to "natural" thyroid hormone. It works exactly like "natural" thyroid hormone. Taking T3 in pill form is like swallowing uppers because there's a  immediate rush, and then a quick down-turn  and it can have serious, adverse health consequences. I heard it called cocaine of thyroid drugs.  T3 is no "magic" pill that will necessarily make you feel better. It might and it also might not. I have heard of persons having to go off of it after a period of time because it was creating heart issues. Plus ending up with the same symptom as the reason for going on T-3. We  have T3 in our body so the natural breakdown of T4 into T3 absolutely must occur all the time because the cells use T3 not T4. But the natural breakdown occurs as you need it not when you pop it into your mouth. T3 has an extremely short biological life in the body, half-life of  approx. 18, so it gives a burst and then it fizzles. T4 replacement has a relatively long life in the body, half-life of a week, so it is constantly there ready to be used over time. So the issue remains the same, you need to find the right dose of replacement. With T3 it is harder to manage finding that right dose, and it also is much more dangerous to overdo things.
A  study reported that "Combined Thyroxine/Liothyronine Treatment T4/T3 Does Not Improve Well-Being, Quality of Life, or Cognitive Function Compared to Thyroxine T4 Alone: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Patients with Primary Hypothyroidism:..... "
It takes time for our body and mind to heal.  You probably had Hashi a long time before dia, liklewise your healing. Rome was not built in a day likewise  your healing - healing does not happen over night or weeks. March is not long enough for meds and body/mind to heal.  Another issue is you might not be at the right TSH level of Labs reference range for you to feel your best - we are not all alike therefore one shoe (level) does not fit all. However, when thyroid hormone levels are within the normal range,  health issues should be that of  "normal" health issues. That does not mean that we won't have bad days, normal people have bad health days too. Variety of symptoms can have multiple causes, so when the replacement levels are right,  other health conditions should be checked for why we feel "off."

Bottom line is that, some will say they do better and others will say they didn't.  Do you need it - probably not! However I am not a doctor,  just my opinion.  But I do wish you good luck and better hrealth.

[TAILFETHERZ]

i take compounded t3, which is slower acting than regular cytomel, and it helped me function again. i have a hard time taking t4 meds. i am still not well, but i am better than i was. the few people that i know personally with thyroid disease also take t3, and they do well on it. you should do as much research as you can about anything you take, as that is what i try to do. good luck and i hope you feel better.