I'm struggling to get them to accept that I have a T3 deficiency. I have had to pay for a private RT3 test to be able to compare my FT3 against my RT3. The results came back with a FT3 result of 5.16 pmol/L and an RT3 result of 0.44 pmol/L. Comparing them using the "stop this thyroid madness" website it came back as 11.7, far below the 20 that they say is needed for correct absorption of T4. I have seen an endocrinologist but been dismissed as my T4 and FT3 were in their acceptable norms. any help appreciated.
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mrp666
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Mrp666, can you post all your thyroid results with the lab reference ranges (the figures in brackets) as it helps members to comment/advise.
FT3 5.16 isn't deficient in most ranges I've seen and doesn't indicate you are failing to convert. FT3 in the top 75% of range is considered ideal.
email louise.warvill@thyroiduk.org for a list of endos recommended by members but you should check whether or not they prescribe T3 before making an appointment. Most endos require a letter of referral from your GP.
Mrp, click on the yellow Reply button underneath the post you are responding to and the member will get an email alert.
Your TSH is higher than most people on thyroxine are comfortable with and TSH just above or just below 1.0 is generally preferred. If you have continuing hypothyroid symptoms request an increase in Levothyroxine.
FT4 and FT3 will ideally be in the top 75% of range. Your FT4 is a little lower but your FT3, the active hormone, is good, just short of the ideal >5.57 in your case. An increase in Levothyroxine will reduce your TSH and improve your FT4 (inactive storage pre-hormone) and conversion to T3. You really don't appear to have any conversion issues.
Thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies are negative for autoimmune disease (Hashimoto's).
For optimal absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with a glass of water on an empty stomach one hour before or two hours after food and drink. Two hours away from other meds and supplements and four hours away from iron, calcium and oestrogen.
Thanks, I will get the hang of the forum, eventually. Sorry I didn't reply earlier but I have been out.
I have actually asked the wrong question. I was reading an article on T3 deficiency and conversion prior to coming on here.
I am not on thyroxine presently, but was on only 25mcg months ago until dismissed by the endo and taken off it. From reading various other sites believe that I may have a T3 absorption problem. I'm 42 and have all the usual symptoms of hypothyroidism, without the usual blood markers, so was dismissed by an endo.
I ordered the Thyroid - Plus test from Genova because I wanted my RT3 reading to compare it against my FT3 reading as I had read that RT3 is believed to act as an anti-thyroxine if your FT3 is not 20 or more times the level of your RT3.
Once I had the results back I used the conversion table on the "Stop this thyroid madness" website and discovered that my FT3 is only 11.7 times higher than my RT3. According to Doctor Holtorf in the US, whose site I only found recently, an RT3 level of 150 when measured in pg/mL might indicate hypothyroidism. I converted my RT3 reading from pmol/mL to pg/mL using a hormone conversion calculator for RT3 and it came out at 286.
Have you heard of any thing like this before? any information or advice would be greatly received.
Rather looks to me as if there is a reverse t3 problem. That's why the tsh is elevated despite the supposed free t3 looking good. The free t3 includes the reverse t3 . Increasing Levothyroxine, if there is an Rt3 problem, will increase the levels of rt3. The tsh will rise and the level of free t3 will appear to rise. Might be worth looking at the reasons for non conversion? Selenium, iron, ferritin for starters.....
Well, if you have too much t4 which is not being used then it is broken down into rt3, so the iodine atom can be saved and the rest disposed of. If your thyroid made t4 and then it couldn't be used it would need to be broken down, so as far as I can tell, in theory the answer is yes. Buti have no refs to back this up....
Mrp, the new style site will be rolling out in 2 weeks so it's all change.
Thyroxine (T4) is converted in the liver and other organs to equal parts T3 and rT3. High levels of rT3 block receptor cells and prevent T3 entering cells. FT3 serum levels will usually be low or below range. Your FT3 is high in range although just short of the top 75% considered ideal so you are not having rT3 conversion issues. I'm not sure that one can experience rT3 without being on Levothyroxine.
TSH 2.53 is certainly high enough for most to experience hypothyroid symptoms although your FT4 and FT3 are relatively good but you will have a battle to persuade your GP to diagnose hypothyroidism and prescribe Levothyroxine until your TSH >5.0 which is when NHS protocols consider a diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism. Make sure to have your next thyroid function blood draw early in the morning when TSH is highest.
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