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How long does it take for T3 (Liothyronine) to work?

Posted , 5 users are following.

gill43753
gill43753

Hi,I've just been started on additional T3 a week ago, having struggled with Levothyroxine on it's own for 4 years. I am so overheated, and really suffering with sinus problems. I've already completed a course of antibiotics for sinusitis,but getting so overheated seems to make the sinuses flair up. Is the heat problem just an initial side effect of the T3, which will settle down, or is my overall level too high for me? I'm taking 125 mcg Levothyroxine, and 5 mcg Liothyronine x 3 daily. I'm secondary hypothyroid, as I have hypopituitarism. Any comments gratefully received please.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • barbara98940
    barbara98940 gill43753

    Posted

    Gill, it may be that you are on too high a dose of T4/T3. Or introduced them too quickly. Have you thought about cutting the T3 pills in half and taking half a tablet each time?
    • gill43753
      gill43753 barbara98940

      Posted

      Thankyou Barbara, I wondered that. Although after all the unpleasant effects Of the Levo, I wondered about reducing that instead. I'm now with a specialist endocrine centre, but they still don't prescribe NDT. With all my other issues and medication, I'm reluctant to buy it, although that would have been my choice. I did ask the specialist for that, before being put on the additional T3.
  • Tutu123
    Tutu123 gill43753

    Posted

    Hi Gill,

    I recently started a combo of t3 and t4 about 2 weeks ago and was really hot (hands felt like they were on fire!). Went back to to docs who said I still had too much Levo in my system from the full dose of 125mg I was on previously. He told me to cut it out for a week and just take lio then reintroduce it gradually- I'm starting to see an improvement now. It has taken a while for me to start adjusting so give it time and seek advice. I don't know what dose of Levo you were on before but bare in mind that 20mg of lio is equivalent to approx 75mg of Levo, so careful you don't overdose. Good luck hope you start feeling better soon!

    • gill43753
      gill43753 Tutu123

      Posted

      Thankyou so much.That's really helpful.I was previously on 175mcg of Levo,but once I knew I was to be put on T3,I started reducing down over about a week,while waiting for the prescription to be done. I feel so rough now with the overheating,sinus head, and aching joints.My knee is swollen from when I get up in the morning,and I have removed my wedding ring.Gill
    • Tutu123
      Tutu123 gill43753

      Posted

      Aww it's rubbish isn't it?! lt does sound like you are taking a bit too much Levo (even once the dose has evened itself out)- might be worth checking with your GP. I was told that Levo has a half life of 7 days (after 7 days, half of the dose you were taking will have left your system), so you probably have too much lingering in your system. I wish my doctor knew this, but they are not experts in thyroid conditions (which tend to be pretty complex anyway), but it will get better eventually, just takes time to adjust and find the right dose that works for you. After two weeks i noticed a significant improvement after going onto T3 combined with T4. Just took away some of the brain fog and fatigue- it's good you have been given the chance to try it as not everyone is given this option and has to struggle with Levo, so hang in there!
    • gill43753
      gill43753 Tutu123

      Posted

      Hi Caz,you wanted to contact Shelly. She's on this discussion,if you scroll through it.Gill
  • shellyC19
    shellyC19 gill43753

    Posted

    Hello Gill:

    My name is Shelly and I am a nurse in the USA.  I have Hashimoto's thyroid disease.

    Infections bother our immune systems and can make it hard on us with thyroid problems.

    I have been on T3  Liothronine for years now.  I can't convert T4 into T3 and T3 has been a huge help to me.  I do take it at night before bed since I have other pills in the a.m. to take.

    It is a bit faster in absorption and you should notice more energy in about a week or so.  It made me come alive as I took every med out there before I went onto Cytomel (T3). They will draw bloodin 2 to 3 month increments to check the level or as doctor orders it.

    NDT was okay also except I can't get it easily anymore at my local pharmacy.

    Some people like NDT as it is made from a Pig's gland and is similar to our own.  Let us know how you do.

    Regards,

    Shelly

    • gill43753
      gill43753 shellyC19

      Posted

      Hi Shelly, I haven't spoken to you for a while. As you can see, having managed to get my body heat down previously by reducing my Levo slightly (as I had discussions with you about before), I've now been put on Liothyronine, in the hope that it will generally make me feel better, but on starting it, I've become exceptionally overheated again. I'm still waiting for a call to go into hospital to check Cortisol levels etc., with a Dexamethasone suppression test, while being off my replacement steroids. Cushing's will be tested for again, but hoping that won't come back to haunt me, having had my pituitary tumour removed in 1997.

      You say about taking your T3 at night, I've been told to take mine 3 times a day. Again, with me, I have a number of medications, in fact now taking 11 prescribed medications, which have to be fitted in somehow. You need a clear head just to remember and sort them out!

      Off on a tangent, we read about side effects listed with each medication, but who has tested for a multiple cocktail of them?

      Incidentally, I had my Warfarin level checked yesterday, and since going on the T3, my blood has gone too high and out of range.

      Thanks for your response, Shelly. Gill

    • shellyC19
      shellyC19 gill43753

      Posted

      Hello Gill:

      I know you had the overheating down for a bit. I am sorry to hear about it's return.  I am on Liothyronine (cytomel) for many years now.  i prefer it at night as I know I have an empty stomach and it has worked well for me and does make my thyroid levels good. Having taken every thyroid med known to man, only to find out much later,  I was a non-converter took years of my life away.   T3 cytomel/Liothyronine has been my best friend, I can function.

      What is your dosage of Liothyronine?  3 times a day sounds like a bit much.  I am on only 5 mcg once a day.  Maybe it should be lowered down a bit?   It works on me, but since we all are different, you may need a bit less. sometimes we have to try different dosage levels to find what works.

      Yes, have the adrenal gland Dexamethazone test.  I had that test many of years ago and it will show if you have Cushing's, thank God mine was negative for it. In some people Cushing's can come back after a period of remission. It is hard to find a happy balance that works.

      Wow 11 meds is a lot, I know it is hard to fit them all in. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

      Regards,

      Shelly

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