should i add t4

[mootry]

Hi I haven't been on for quite awhile, I've been doing really good it seems. Well here are my labs T3 4.4  2.3-4.2  T4 1.0 0.7-1.5 Tsh .007 0.358-3.74 I know my T3 is high and I've felt good but I do feel a bit hyper at times, my blood pressure is high I'm just wondering if it would be wise to decrease t3 and increase t4 if so how would I do that. thanks for your help

[Barb135]

!!

[Barb135]

You should retest after decreasing your dosage before you make any further changes, so you can keep track of where you are.  Then you can decide whether you can add some T4.  

When adding T4, in this situation, it's best to start with a small dosage, wait the 6 weeks it takes for it reach potential, retest then increase as needed... Increasing by small increments is also best.  

[Barb135]

I think I got it... I get that you take 1/2 of 130 mg (62.5 mg) in the morning and 1/2 of 130 mg (62.5 mg) in the late afternoon.  

Per your second post, you also an additional 16.25 mg with each dosage.  Now, you've taken out 16.25, so your total daily dosage went from 162.5 mg to 146.25 mg.  That will help bring down your Free T4, but it isn't going to help increase your Free T4... In fact, since NatureThroid contains, both T4 and T3, it's quite likely that your FT3 and FT4 will both drop.

It's not unusual for people on desiccated hormones to have low Free T4; many have to add a separate source of T4, such as Synthroid, Levothyroxine, Levoxyl, etc.  You should talk to your doctor about this and see if s/he's willing to prescribe a small dose of T4.  If s/he does, you may have decrease your NatureThroid further, since it's assumed that you have some conversion from the T4 to Free T3, as well.

How much vitamin D are you taking daily?  It's very important that you bring your level up to a normal.  

It's good that you're continuing to take the B-12.  Do you know what your iron and/or ferritin levels are?  Iron is necessary for conversion of T4 to the usable T3, plus iron is necessary for red blood cell formation, energy, etc.  If you haven't had those levels tested, you should, and if you need to supplement, you should do it consistently.

[mootry]

Thank you Barb, my doctor didn't check my iron this time but I'll ask her to. I'm taking 5000 vit D . If I reduce my medication another 16.25 would that be reduced enough to add a small amount of t4? if so how much would be good?thank you for your help.

[mootry]

I don't know if that made sense, in the morning I take a 1/2 of a 130mg of nature throid and a 16.25mg of nature throid. In the afternoon I do the same. I just now cut the morning 16.25mg out of my pills. I still take the 16.25mg in the afternoon. I didn't take my  meds before my labs. my vit D was low 29 which I'm trying to raise. As for iron and vit B12 she didn't check. But I have been taking my B12 and sometimes iron.

[mootry]

Hey Barb, yes those were both free, at present I'm taking 130mg of nature Throid I take 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 in the late afternoon and I take with each 1/2 a 16.25mg pill.  I didn't take any meds before labs. I stopped taking the morning 16.25 as for now. Thanks for your help.

[Barb135]

I'm assuming those are Free T3 and Free T4, judging from the results and ranges, though you didn't specify... Your FT4 is only at 38% of its range, which is shy of the recommended 50%.  With your FT3 over range, I'd say "yes" you might be wise to decrease your T3 med and increase T4 med.  

We need to know your current med(s) and doses in order to best advise you.

Also, did you take your T3 med prior to the blood draw?