Tirosent

[Godisrefuge]

Are so many people having horrible reactions on Tirosent becuase they are not taking a T3 with it?  I plan to switch from Naturthroid (2 grains) to Tirosent (.112mcg) and compounded T3 (.5 mcg)  next week but I am now very nervous to try it because of all the bad reviews.
I am hopeful to read that it is GREAT in some people but still very nervous.

[Godisrefuge]

Hi Barb - I have already purchased the Tirosent and going to start on Monday - I'll definitely let you know but reading all the side effects - I'll know what to expect.  Do you think .112 mcg is still too high for someone who doesn't have a thyroid gland?  I had my total gland removed 5 years ago.  Also - I know that my B12 vitamin is good because I had a micronutrient test done a few months ago and it was in the normal range.  All I can do is just try it and hope for the best….I'll be posting from day to day how I do on it.

[Barb135]

Your FT3 does not bear out the doctor's feeling that the T3 in NatureThroid is too much; in fact, your dose was actually too low.  I'm quite familiar with that doctor.

Rule of thumb is to have FT4 at approximately mid point (50%) of its range.... yours is at a very dismal 16%.  Rule of thumb for FT3 is upper half to upper third of its range.  Yours is at 53%, which isn't bad, but there's definitely room for improvement.

Do you already have the Tirosint purchased?  Is there any way you can get him to prescribe a smaller dose to start with?  I really hate to see you start on that high a dose, because you might not need it.

Had you been taking your NatureThroid all at once in the morning, or were you taking multiple doses during the day?  Typically, when one is on a T3 med, it's best to take it in multiple doses in order to keep the T3 more stable in your blood throughout the day.  What happens when you take it all at once is that you get that first big slug in the morning, then it's gone a few  hours later and you're left with nothing the rest of the day.

Free T3 is the hormone that's actually used by the individual cells, so you have to keep a ready supply.  Free T4 is a storage hormone and must converted to Free T3 to be use by the cells.

Because of your constant fatigue and brain fog, when your FT3 isn't all that bad, I might strongly suggest that you get vitamin B12 levels tested.  B12 deficiency can cause the most unimaginable fatigue.  Remember, too, that like thyroid hormones, just being "in range" isn't good enough.  I have to keep my levels right near the top of the range in order to feel well.

[Godisrefuge]

Also - Dr. Arem said that if I would go back to Armour he would have me take 1/3 pill in the morning; 1/3 pill in the afternoon and 1/3 around 7:00 p.m.  This resonated with me because I've always taken 1 grain upon wake and 1 grain around 1:00 pm - My energy in the morning was so low because my T3 would run out.  I am assuming the compounded T3 he has prescribed has a time-release and I am ready to try that - it could give me a steady flow of T3 throughout the day/night.

[Godisrefuge]

Thank you so much for responding.  The reason for changing is I am always tired in the morning; afternoon.  I am feeling a little brain fogginess and have been on a great diet (very clean eating) and still struggle with weight.  I have always been 140ish and am 161 - I went to see a "specialist" endocrinologist on Thursday and he explained to me that the T3 in Naturethroid and Armour is too much and he said, he assured me, he can get me to the "optimal" way of living.
My history:I am 42 yrs.  I had a TT in 2008; was on synthroid alone for 1 year and did horrible finally bringing me to armour in 2010; did great but I always felt like I could feel a little better - I used to be a very active girl.  I started to have menopause symptoms in 2011 and went on bio-identicals and I read on another forum to try Naturethroid and I switched to NT in Sept. 2013  and feel extremely tired and fatigue; intolerant to cold; I was going to switch back to Armour but decided to go and see a specialist first.  His name is Dr. Arem in Houston.  He said that if I didn't do well on Tirosent/T3 combo; he can put me on the Armour - but he said he just really wants to try this for me,

My test results are:
Free T3 is 3.3    Range: 2.3-4.2  PG/ML
Free T4 is .093  Range: 0.73 - 1.95  NG/DL
TSH     is  1.2    Range: 0.5 - 4.7  UIU/ML

You are really so sweet to take the time and reassure people here on this forum - Thanks again for any help you can give me.

[Barb135]

What's the reason you're switching from NatureThroid to Tirosint?

1 grain of NatureThroid contains 38 mcg of T4 and 9 mcg of T3, so 2 grains would be 76 mcg of T4 and 18 mcg of T3.  112 mcg of Tirosint, could be too much for you.

Because of the better absorption of Tirosint, many people find it best to start at a lower dose and work up slowly, as needed.  In your case, I might start at 75 mcg, then if tolerated move on up to 88 and keep going, as needed.

I think one problem many people have had with Tirosint is that they start at too high doses.  Another is that they don't stay on it long enough for it really work.  

I, personally, have been on it since 2009, right after it came out.  I've done great on it.  I've settled in at 88 mcg Tirosint and 10 mcg generic T3.

I can't stress enough about starting at too high a dose.  Being a gelcap, Tirosint dissolves better than pills and it's absorption rate is higher, so even though it's the same strength as its pill form counterparts, its effects seem greater.

What are your current thyroid lab results?  Please post them, and be sure to include reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.

What, if any, symptoms are you having?