Hello, these are my results after 7 weeks taking 112 mcg of Sinthyroid. TSH: 0.49 REF: 0.35 - 4.9
Free T4: 1.09 ng/dl REF: 0.60 - 1.40 ng/dl
Free T3: 2.3 pg/ml REF: 2.3 - 4.10 pg/ml
Is it time to ask the doctor to add T3? How much? Do I have access to the dissected thyroid if I switch to it directly, would the correct dose be 1.5 grains?
Thank you.
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Lucas22
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Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.
In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.
Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.
But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
(That’s Ft3 at 58% minimum through range)
You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor please email Dionne at
Good to know that there are people who are just fine with T4, because researching it seems that T3 is needed by everyone.
So, I think I will increase my dose to 125 mcg, or up to 137 mcg, I will go until the free T4 gets high, forgetting the TSH. If that doesn't work, then it's time to try T3.
Have you tried a higher dose than 112mcg? Have you tried another brand of thyroid medication other than Synthroid? I felt very unwell on Synthroid but I feel better on another brand. I am a 47 kg woman and I take more than 88mcg. Every 6 weeks you get blood tests done and then increase your medication until you feel better. I like my T4 levels to be high. I have many problems if they are low. I am not a doctor but your tests show you may need a higher dose.
I have not read of the difference in pills being micronized but I took generic brands for ten years and always did much better on them and had higher T4 levels. This is interesting information. thank you.
I think he’s barking up the wrong tree—I think you simply need a raise in Synthroid dose. Your FT4 has a way to go before it hits the top of the range, meaning there’s plenty of room for an increase in Synthroid.
I’d be looking to try 125mcg and even 150mcg Synthroid before adding the complication of T3.
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