FT3 not improving??

[Klax79]

I know Hashi's usually don't convert well, mine is really not improving much. My symptoms r not that bad yet, coz I caught this problem early. Crazy weight gain & poor recovery after workouts are the main concerns. The nagging pain at my elbow was gone once I started the meds.

Jul'14
FT4 - 13.38 (9.0-19.0)
FT3 - 3.58 (2.63-5.7)
TSH - 6.59 (0.35-4.94)
-> On 5mcg Cytomel + 50mcg T4 in the morning

Sep'14
FT4 - 14.90 (9.0-19.0)
FT3 - 3.60 (2.63-5.7)
TSH - 2.14 (0.35-4.94)

Doc seems pretty happy with the ratio. I agreed that my FT4 is in the good range now but FT3 still quite ****** (it technically didn't "budge" at all). She's maintaining the T4 dosage & I managed to convince her to up the T3 (she prescribed 7.5mcg).

Looking at the results, my body's not converting any more FT3 with the increase in FT4. Is splitting Cytomel dosage the only way? I've never really asked abt NDT meds coz she wasn't really keen during my 1st visit. Any other possible reasons for the poor conversion? I'm already taking 200mcg Selenium & doc seems surprised that this is not even helping.

[Bearika]

Hello!

I just switched from natural (Armour) thyroid to a combo of the 2 medications you are on (at the same starting does you were on - 5mcg generic Cytomel + 50mcg T4 in the morning ).

Just curious, aside from the blood tests did you see any improvement in the weight gain and/or fatigue since starting in September?  Thanks!

[Klax79]

It's Liothyronine Sodium from Keifei Pharma, which is the same as Cytomel based on Wikipedia. Per tab is 25mcg, coz that's the smallest dose per tab my friend could get his hands on (I actually wanted 10mcg/tab).

I think it would b interesting to test out my GP's recommendation to do a blood test 2hrs after taking T3 to see how much my FT3 numbers will look like. That might prob b a good indicator if I'm at the recommended upper range with T3 in my system. Coz the "fasting" blood draw apparently don't paint a true picture if I'm not really converting.

[gimel]

Sorry, that should have been "from a blood draw 27 hours later."

[gimel]

I would think that 25 mcg of T3 (if it really is that) would also have more noticeable effect.  Which makes me wonder is it really T3 and really 25 mcg of T3?  Any way to confirm that?  

Another thing regarding it showing up in your test results, I think it may be that you are taking all of the med in the morning.  So It will largely have dissipated within the next 8 hours or so and would reflect that in the test result from a blood draw 15 hours later.  

[Klax79]

I usually take T3 ard 6.30am once i wake up. Blood tests are typically done in the morning ard 9.30am & I only take my T3 for the day after that.

My thought was probably that with 25mcg daily, it might somehow help raise the FT3 numbers over time even though it doesn't stay in the blood stream for long periods.

Weird thing is, I don't feel a BIG difference in energy levels btw 7.5mcg & 25mcg. Just wondering where did all that T3 go. LOL

[gimel]

Recommended method for taking a T3 med is to split the dose and take half in the morning and the other half in the early afternoon.  That is because T3 gets into the blood so quickly compared to T4.  From what I have read T3 reaches max effect in about  3-4 hours and then gradually diminishes over the rest of the day.  I really don't recommend taking the whole 25 mcg at once.

When have you previously taken your T3 med relative to the time when blood was drawn for tests?