What does this mean?

[Karispitit]

I take 200mcg T3 daily. It is perfect for me. My question is I had a blood test and it shows my serum free triodothyronine level (I assume that means T3?) is above range. It is 6.9 pmol/L [3.1-6.8] Does this mean my T4 is hardly converting into T3 given that I am taking quite a high dose of T3 already? I

[Clutter]

Karispitit, Without a FT4 blood level it's impossible to say whether you are converting T4 to T3. It's likely that you aren't converting much, as you are orally taking T3 and are bypassing the need for good levels of T4 for conversion to T3.

[shaws Administrator]

As you are taking T3 only, I think your blood tests look good. The rule to go by when on any thyroid gland medication is how you feel and if well you are on the right dose for you. Blood tests are only a guide but some doctors are unaware of this. This is an excerpt:-

For someone taking 100 mcg of T3, we expect your pattern of lab results—a low TSH and high T3. However, your TSH and T3 levels are irrelevant to whether you're overstimulated or not. Two studies we just completed confirm other researchers findings: these tests are not reliable gauges of a patient's metabolic status. Many patients taking T3 have TSH and T3 levels like yours but still have severely low metabolic rates. Their metabolic rates become normal only when they increase their dosages further. Their metabolic rates become normal and they have no detectable overstimulation.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

[Karispitit in reply to shaws]

My thyroid autoantibody level is 29 IU/ml in a range of [<101.0]

My serum free T4 level is 1.7 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]

My serum TSH level is <0.02 mlU/L [0.3 - 5.0]

I feel extremely well. If I reduce my T3 then I start to quickly put on weight again which I now know is mucin and I immediately start getting brain fog again.

[PR4NOW in reply to Karispitit]

200mcg would suggest you have some thyroid hormone resistance to overcome. What is most important is that " I feel extremely well". At that amount TSH will be very low or suppressed, FT4 very low or non-existent, and FT3 very high or over the top of the range. The biggest problem is dealing with doctors as your results will freak them out, they lack understanding. I'd suggest Paul Robinson's books and website, he talks about what labs look like when taking T3. recoveringwitht3.com/ That is not the highest amount I have heard of someone taking, we are all different, the outliers just have a much more difficult time dealing with doctors. When you are dealing with thyroid hormone resistance the serum tests are pretty much useless, how you are feeling is going to be the critical factor. PR

[Karispitit in reply to PR4NOW]

Thanks for your response PR4NOW. I already have Paul Robinson's book. My GP practice openly told me the year before last that they have no knowledge at all of thyroid problems so they have left me to sort myself out. I don't mind though as at least I am in total control now and I am very proud of myself for getting myself better.

[marmaris in reply to Karispitit]

Wow 200mcgs of T3 is very high. I only take 30mcgs and worry about taking too much, although I do not feel well on that still.

[PR4NOW in reply to marmaris]

We are all different, dosing is a very individual situation. Slowly titrate upward by 12.5 mcg or so and leave some time, a week or two in between adjustments so your body can equilibrate. Multi-dosing 3-5 times per day is usually the best approach although there are individuals who take it all at once and do just fine. There is no one size fits all. PR

[marmaris in reply to PR4NOW]

Thanks for that PR4NOW have been taking it three times a day. I know that we are all different, just wish I could hit that good level. After being just on the T4 for so long I don't want to go back just on that and I will continue with the T3 also.

[Morganna14]

I'm still quite green about the detail of this particular.

I see the endo on Wednesday - but thanks for that