Posted by ben on May 17, 2013, at 7:02:51
I`m bipolar II and take Lithium more than 10 years. On e time I had to take T4 because Lithium caused a hypothyroidism. We started at a low dose. The TSH was suppressed and the FT4, FT3 were in the reference range (in the upper half). Then we increased the T4 slowly because I still had problems with drive (fatigue) and weight gain. Further it should stabilize me more. Since about a year I`m on 100 mcg/d. My pdoc said that the reference range is relative and each one should fine his range of well being. The strange thing is that I gained more weight during the increase from 50 to 100 mcg. The rest of symptoms didn't changed. Also the lab parameters. The FT3 and FT4 stayed almost at the same level as the TSH. My Lab parameters are (march 2013):
TSH = 0.65 (0.35-5.5)
FT4 = 14.5 (10-19.8)
FT3 = 4.81(3.5-6.5)In my country there are only preparations from T4 or T3/T4 combos available. T3 is not available alone.
Now I read a lot about T3 and my pdoc and I are trying the combo (1 tablet = 100 mcg T4 and 20 mcg T3). So I changed from 100 mcg T4 to 50 mcg T4 and 10 mcg T3 (corresp. 1/2 tablet of the combo). What are your experiences with a T3/T4 combo? Did you loose weight, more drive (less fatigue) and better mood stabilization?
I`m thankful for you input.
poster:ben
thread:1043822
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130501/msgs/1043822.html