T3 and Reverse T3 testing - where?

[Nik07]

Does anyone know where I can just get these tested (GP is arranging the rest) at a reasonable price. I notice Genova offer Reverse T3 at a reasonable rate but no T3 only and Blue Horizon are expensive for Reverse T3 and offer single T3 only. Thank you

[Clutter]

Nik, you may want to wait a bit longer before having a repeat rT3 test. It can take 14 weeks to clear/reduce rT3 after you've stopped T4 and you're still taking T4 via NDT.

Have your symptoms improved since your last test?

[Nik07 in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter, I have lost weight and in general feel good. However, my hair loss continues, I have palpations at times and now irregular periods. My sex hormones have been checked and there are no issues there, and my results came back for my adrenals and they too seem ok (though I have not been able to paste my results on here for some reason). I went to see a different NHS GP and told her I feel great since NDT but because of problems with reverse T3 I need to be on T3 only but can't afford it. She said she could not prescribe unless via an endo so was going to take my blood results again and make a plan from there. I was also going to get the DI02 test done in case I have a conversion problem which would strengthen my case for T3 only. I take all the recommended supplements for hair loss, all to no avail. Do you know if my reverse T3 will decrease whilst I remain on NDT? I'm feeling confused about what to do next, hence checking my bloods again. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you

[Clutter in reply to Nik07]

Nik, I know very litttle about rT3 and how to interpret results but I would suggest that if you are now feeling good it probably has already decreased and you may not need to switch from NDT to T3.

Hair and dry skin shedding took six months after I was optimally medicated to resolve. Low zinc is sometimes responsible for hairloss and Biotin and evening primrose are said to have helped some members but it often takes over a year to notice improvement.

[Heloise in reply to Nik07]

If you had a severe reverse T3 problem, I think you would have more symptoms than that. I did a reverse test and it was not that helpful. Your ratio is supposed to be 20:1 or better and mine was 10. That wasn't particularly helpful. Everyone has SOME reverse t3. Why don't you try to get a small amount of T3 and see if it works with your NDT.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of information regarding reverse T3 or T3 receptors in general.

I've read that adrenal issues have more to do with hair loss than thyroid.

Have you tried to optimize the other areas?

[Hidden]

Genova does RT3, T3, T4 and antibodies.

[Nik07 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, thank you. My GP is able to run the others except T3 and reverse T3. Even though she has requested free T3 the lab has never provided this result in the past.

[jimh111]

rT3 is difficult to assay so you need a good lab (Blue Horizon uses 'The Doctors Laboratory' which are good, my local health authority uses them). The blood for an rT3 assay is handled differently to the fT3 assay so you need to specify both if you want them measured concurrently. (You can't change your mind later and ask them to use the spare blood for an rT3 assay).

I wouldn't bother with rT3! I don't know anyone who knows how to interpret it, other than to say it looks a bit high or low. rT3 is 'total rT3' rather than 'free rT3' (I confirmed this with an expert at the ThyroidUK conference yesterday). So, if it behaves like T3 it's not any use. You wouldn't take much notice of a total T3 figure, you'd insist on fT3.

Sorry if this is disapointing, I don't want anyone to waste their money.

rT3 is produced by type-1 deiodinase when your fT4 levels are high and by type-3 deiodinase if you have high cellular levels of fT3. I think a careful theraputic trial of levothryoxine or liothyronine is more useful.

Jim.