It’s a wonder that you even get to sleep at night with that brain of yours… and I thought I was bad!
I give myself my injection and don’t even think about it afterwards. You can get into the details of the details of the details if you’d like though! 
What about the SR (sustained release) version of T3?
Well I thought you would know… I was getting compounded SR T3. Dr. told me I could take it once a day in the morning.
My understanding is that another compound is attached to it to slow digestion down. methylcellulose is commonly used (I believe SR T3 product is only available compounded). Now I am unaware of how smooth or consistent the delivery is on average.
I am not finding a whole lot on it. The concept seems all right (basically the same as just dosing multiple times a day). I don’t know how well it really works though.
There is a need for tighter regulations for compounders. Even with Test being +/- 20% or whatever is unacceptable IMO. The UGLs often do better than that.
From the study:
This is about 24 hours of the graph. To me this seems like a pretty good release for daily dosing. Tapering down around bed time.
Hmm, that is slower than I would have thought. I thought that was SR. I will admit, I don’t necessarily know what is good or bad for T3 levels in the body. I thought you wanted a ramp up in the morning a peak early afternoon and a slope going into the evening. It appears the regular release could potentially do that, but 50 mcg is a pretty hefty dose.
The quote from the conclusion “Sustained release T3 is clearly limited by the maximum time over which absorption takes place in the gastrointestinal tract” is what I thought when I discovered it is slowed down by adding a compound to slow the release in digestion.
I think with standard it makes sense to dose more frequently. I would like to see a graph of the SR vs the normal release for blood levels of T3 vs time.
Pretty even for one subject for T3 over the hours. Now they are also taking T4, so I would think that would smooth things out a bit?
Makes total sense, brother. My struggle is timing things up, because – as I understand it – you need to take thyroid meds on an empty stomach and also wait 1-2 hours after taking the medication to eat. I’m often on the go, so this can be tough. What’s a typical day look like for you in terms of dosing?
Totally with you, man – I love the theory of cream, but it hasn’t worked for me in practice. That said, injections haven’t worked perfectly either…I don’t know why I’ve had such a hard time figuring things out when it seems most guys get dialed in within their first year (I started in January 2019). I’m sure I’ve made mistakes. But determined to keep learning and experimenting until I get it sorted out!
Wow, that is a massive difference, brother. Thanks so much for taking the time to explain all of this – super helpful to see it visualized! You are the man.
I was thinking of doing injections EOD. From what I know, high SHBG guys tend to do better with more frequent injections. What do you think of that approach?
You seem to have quite the knowledge of thyroid. It’s all still pretty foreign to me. I have a much better grasp on the typical T numbers. I appreciate you educating me.
My FT3 was up to 4.5 with Cytomel, but down to 2.4 (with Liothyronine) on these bloods. My FT4 went from 0.8 to 0.92. Also potentially of note, my Prolactin went from 3.3 to 9.5. But my numbers were so weird across the board on these labs, I don’t know what to make of it.
Do you think dosing thyroid is worth it for me? I laid out my struggle to @enackers. In addition to the trouble of timing it up with meals, it’s also quite expensive. Each 25 mcg pill is $4.50. Insurance is, unfortunately, no longer covering any of my treatment (switched insurance plans). I don’t think I could justify spending $10/day on T3.
Great to know. I think I’ll go with EOD. I felt my best at 250 mg/week, so thinking I might go back to that (72 mg EOD). It’s very high, I know, but I’m over freaking out about numbers (particularly if HCT and HGB stay reasonable).
Agree with you on HCT! It’s odd how I had my highest-ever HCT (50.8) at my lowest-ever Total T (693). My HCT values over time: 45, 46.6, 44, 45.7, 46.3, 47.7, 46.5, 50.6, 49.1, 50.8. No real correlation with the dose.
Lol, completely understand, brother! Yep, I did the same timing of T3 and bloodwork.
My baseline thyroid numbers…
TSH: 1.24
FT4: 1
FT3: 3
RT3: 20
I hopped on thyroid in winter 2019 because I was having libido issues, despite taking 180-200 mg of T that whole fall. My libido isn’t as bad as it was then, but still isn’t great.
Wow, this is so cool, man! Looks like EOD is definitely the way to go. I was doing ED for a while, but that’s a real pain.
The model looks accurate based on my experiences. At 260 per week, I was at 2889; at 200 per week, I was at 1919. So if we were to average those values (a hypothetical 230 per week), I’d likely be around 2404.
My FT was at 543 (at 260) and then 422 (200). So the 230 would likely get me around 483.
However, I should note that I was taking Danazol at those times to lower SHBG. It’s not in the mix right now.
Meaning ED? I haven’t heard about higher doses of T causing that. Surprising! As you said, it truly is astounding how we all differ.
My TSH has gone up (from 1.24) to 1.42 and then 2.23. What you’re saying about T4 dropping and T3 increasing was accurate for me until these latest labs. I’m mainly wondering if I really need to be messing with thyroid at all. I plan to discuss with my doc on Monday.
AFIB! Oh my, my friend. I fully understand the dilemma of balancing goals with long-term health. The latter is obviously more important, but the former matters, too.
So glad you are OK now. How, if at all, have your training and diet changed?
Hmm, I haven’t tried that low of a dose. My total T was very high from the jump, though. Before starting anything, it was 1148. With HCG mono, it was always near 2000. That’s why these latest labs are so puzzling to me.
My SHBG was always unreasonably high. Pre-T, it was always above 100, once even 168. This latest result (79.7) is the highest I’ve seen since I started taking T.
Wow. You are a wizard, man. You really know your stuff. I am impressed.
All good, brother! With this in mind, do you think going back to such a high dose makes sense? My logic is pretty simple: if I felt my best at my highest T dose (and there was no real reason for HCT/HGB concern), I should go back to it. But I’m sure there are other factors to consider.
FWIW, I have had Galectin-3 tested on my two most recent bloods. Though it’s far from a perfect way to gauge heart health, my results were good: 6.4 and 7.9 (Ref <17.9).
Yah I know that can be an issue. I have my dose sitting on the nightstand. Moment my eyes open I take them. I start drinking coffeee a little later and take my T. Then midday I take it again around 4-5 and usually haven’t eaten since 12 or IF.
If I were you I would just take it with or without and empty stomach. Somethings better than nothing. I do it myself.
Really good to know, man. That’s what I’m planning to do.
This thread is only popular because guys like you – who have spent countless hours educating themselves – have selflessly come together to share their knowledge with me (and the others who read this). You’ve all saved me years of trouble, tons of money, and probably an abundance of physical harm.
For all its ills, the internet can really be a special tool. Grateful for this site in particular!