Reverse. T3

[bennion666568]

Reverse t3 results 35.8

Range 0 - 35

Is this a concern ?

[Moggie]

Yes it is as RT3 blocks the recepters who's job it is to transport T3 into your cells, which is where it needs to be to stop symptoms. Here is an explination that someone wrote to another poster last week and she explained it so well that I think you might benefit from it.

Item 1 - issues

Doctors give yout T4 because it lasts in your body for days, and if you are healthy your body turns this into the T3 it needs. T3 only lasts a matter of hours in our body - so docs prefer to give you T4 as it should make for a more even dosage system.

However...

If you do not convert your T4 ( your thyroxine tablets) to T3 properly, you will see no benefit, or less benefit from taking T4 (levothyroxine)

The problem converting can be from a number of things, but do include Vit B12 and VtiD deficiencies.

That is why a FT3 test is important - it tells you how much of your T4 is being converted to T3 ( the F stands for FREE, so how much is FREE / unbound to receptors, floating about and available for you to use).

Item 2 - issues

T3 - your body does all sorts of useful things with it.

imagine T3 as an egg and the T3 receptors like an egg cup

If your T3 receptors are blocked or not working properly then you cannot absorb your T3, so even if you are still converting the T4 to T3 , your body cannot absorb it, so you will see no benefit, or less benefit from taking T4 (levothyroxine)

The problem with the receptors can again be a number of things, but include vitimin deficiencies and something called rT3

Think of rT3 as a rotten empty egg - there is nothing in it that you want but fits the egg cup and stops any other eggs going int hat egg cup.

rT3 is reverse T3 - it is something your body normally makes when it thinks it has too much T4 floating around.

The rT3 blocks the T3 receptors to stop you overdosing on T3.

The problem arises when your body accidentally makes rT3 for no good reason ( or because you are not converting the T4 to T3) and suddenly many of your T3 receptors are blocked by the rT3 and your useful T3 cannot get through to be absorbed.

That is why an rT3 test is important - you may have plenty of T3 indicating you are converting, but it does not mean you are well.

Hope this helps.

Moggie x

[bennion666568 in reply to Moggie]

Hi Moggie, how do I try to get my consultant to understand I have heard many are not convinced that RT3 is a bad thing. Also would you say my RT3 is high ?

[Moggie in reply to bennion666568]

Yes of course its to high BUT as posted above your body makes RT3 if it thinks you have enough T3 in your system so you need to also be looking at your FT3 result and if this is also high then you have your answer - you body has to much T3 so it is protecting itself and making the excess T3 into RT3.

Moggie x

[bennion666568]

My free T3 result was 6.3 by blue horizon Medicals

[Moggie in reply to bennion666568]

and what what the range of your FT3 test?

Moggie x

[bennion666568]

It was 3.1 - 6.8

[bennion666568]

My Gp said the last test she did which was just over a week before this was 7.2 & wants to reduce my Levo & t3 ?

[Moggie in reply to bennion666568]

Well there you have it then - you have too much FT3 in your system and your body is protecting itself by turning it into reverse T3. How are you feeling? Do you have any hyper symptoms?

Moggie x

[bennion666568]

Just the same as I was with hypo tired and pain & more confusion again recently my periods have stopped . No weight loss the only new symptom a tremble in my hands X

[bennion666568]

The tremble only visible when concentration whilst working on nails

[Moggie in reply to bennion666568]

Sorry I didn't get an email to say you had replied so have only just picked this up.

I think your endo is right to reduce your meds as you are obviously over medicated and showing signs of being hyper - your bloods and symptoms are showing this so you should start feeling better when you are on a more suitable dosage. How much T3/T4 are you taking at the moment and what does he/she want to reduce you to?

Moggie x

[bennion666568 in reply to Moggie]

175mcg & 1x 20T3 . My GP hasn't made a final decision I think she is waiting on outcome of my consultation with Dr Shireen Boardman on 14 th Feb. I was previously under care of Dr Skinner and over the last few years have been brought down on medication and increased gradually but I always suffer with variable symptoms. The next step was to discuss natural thyroid I wonder if Dr Boardman will consider this .

[bennion666568 in reply to bennion666568]

I am better now than I was before T3 was added that is the only sure thing I do know x

[Moggie in reply to bennion666568]

Then you need to push for a reduction in your T4 not your T3.

Moggie x

[bennion666568 in reply to Moggie]

I have been taking Levo doses between 175mcg & 150mcg since I was 15yrs I am now 45 yrs. I never had any problems untill 6 years ago when I collapsed after running & was in bed for 3 months & failed to completely recover.

Since then I have been trialled with

50mcg & 20 T3

100mcg & 20 T3

150mcg & 20 T3

175mcg. & 20 T3

But still I am nowhere near as well as I was before that happened .

I have no idea what happened that day . Before this I exercised regular had two part time jobs which I loved. A fantastic social life I wish u knew why I collapsed that day & why I have not recovered ? X

[Moggie in reply to bennion666568]

Ask your GP/endo to look at your ferritin levels and adrenals - just a thought.

Moggie x

[bennion666568 in reply to Moggie]

My iron levels were low in july 2012 it was 15. I had no idea about this my gp didn't inform me untill I lost 80 percent of my hair in 2013. I have managed now to raise it to 41 but can't seem to get it any higher ,

My cortisol test taken about 10 days ago was 282 range 171-536

And my DHEA was 6.4 range 0.26 -110

X

[Moggie in reply to bennion666568]

I am now at a loss and I think you may need to have a good heart to heart with your GP. I was fine answering your original question as I know a little about it but your situation seems very complcated and I am now at a loss as to what to advice.

Sorry I cant be of more help.

Moggie x

[bennion666568 in reply to Moggie]

I have all my notes from Dr Skinner & all recent test results for Dr Boardnan. To look at hopefully she can help.

I agree its all complicated .

Thank you for your help X

Sharon

[Moggie in reply to bennion666568]

Your very welcome.

Moggie x

[Yana]

This article will give you some idea as to why you might be producing too much T3

stopthethyroidmadness.com/r...

[bennion666568 in reply to Yana]

Thank you x

[cc120 in reply to Yana]

Excellent article, thank you Yana.