Should T3 Medication Be Taken Along With Synthroid For Thyroid Problem?

Posted on Tue, 1 Apr 2014

Question: I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroditis, taking synthroid 88 as now. My recent TSH : 1.62 FT4: 22.5 FT3: 1.6 SHould I be taking T3 medication as the addition, or just suplaments like Sekenium.

Answered by Dr. Minal Mohit (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: You may supplement selenium rich food. Detailed Answer: Dear user, hi! your thyroid profile is now normal except for low t3 so definitely as per recent studies the missing link selenium can be supplemented to promote conversion of t4 to t3. selenium supplementation of 200 mcg per day either directly or in food is sufficient like Brazil nuts.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Minal Mohit (1 hour later)

I did take Selenium the last time I had blood work, but since I didn't have FT3 checked that time I can't tell if Selenium worked, I just know that TSH was 1.40, FT3 was 25.7 ( higher than normal). So not sure if just Selenium is enough to convert T4 to T3. I have symptoms, like pallpilation, higher blood pressure, some hair loss, and sore throat. THe ultrasound showed noramal thyroid with very small nodule on left side.sorry, I made mistake,* FT4 was 25.7 ( higher than normal).

Answered by Dr. Minal Mohit (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: This time ft4 is normal. Detailed Answer: Dear ma'm, this time ft4 is normal and your symptoms of palpitation not there. if selenium you have tried and not working and you think you have symptoms of hypothyroid still, then we need to treat t3 not otherwise. in that case drugs like thy towel or thyropace can be tried.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Minal Mohit (9 hours later)

I wrote I have palpitation, and I do not understand what t3 medication you wrote, I am in Canada. Can you repeat again the medication you are suggesting, something available for me in Canada? And is that T3 drug used along the Synthroid?And what about the nodule in Left side of thyroid , do I need to be worry about that, or it is symptom of Hashimoto. I didn't have a biopsy on that.

Answered by Dr. Minal Mohit (8 hours later)

Brief Answer: Need FNAC for the thyroid nodule. Detailed Answer: Dear user, hi! for palpitation you must take propranolol 10 mg twice a day. are you having symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism ? if no then don't bother for T3 report , if yes, then cytomel is available in canada. as of the nodule, mostly they are benign but still to rule out you must have FNAC once and observe if it grows in size. regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Minal Mohit (1 hour later)

I feel mostly it is symptom of hypothyroidism with occasional hyperthyroid symptoms. Mostly i feel cold all that time, and little tired, hair loss, but sometimes I feel like my thyroid is burning and have a higher blood pressure. I didn't have anti bodies confirmed by blood work, they just suggested with ultrasound that it is Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Does FNAC means fine needle biopsy? Sorry I am not aware of all medical abbreviation. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Minal Mohit (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Fine needle aspiration cytology. (FNAC) Detailed Answer: Dear user, yes you are right, you need aspiration cytology to rule out any underlying problem with the nodule, though it is benign in most cases. if you are symptomatic, you need to add low dose of cytomel (liothyronine) may be 5 mcg to start with and add propranolol 10 mg twice a day to control palpitations. repeat the test after 6 weeks and let me know. antibodies are not always required to confirm the diagnosis and also not for monitoring. so that is fine if not done regards!

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar