Blue Horizon BT results. Conversion problem?

[Winegum2]

Latest results

TSH 2.99 (0.3 - 6)

FT4 16.2 (7.5 - 21)

FT3 4.3 (3.1 - 6.8)

According to this I seem to have plenty of FT4, but the FT3 is in the lower 1/3 of range. Could this mean conversion probs? If so, what can I do about it. I am not on any meds.

Thanks

[Clutter]

Winegum, I don't think it is a conversion problem. Pituitary gland detects circulating hormone and when FT3 &/or FT4 drop or are low TSH rises to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more hormone. TSH 2.99 indicates you may be becoming hypothyroid but I think you are unlikely to get a diagnosis until your TSH is >6 or whatever the top of your GP range is or FT3 or FT4 drop below range.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno...

[Winegum2 in reply to Clutter]

My last TSH (last month) was 4.3 (0.5-5.5) much nearer the top of the range, so I was surprised that it had gone down especially as I now feel worse! But if my thyroid hormone levels are OK, how can it be that that's making me feel ill?

[Clutter in reply to Winegum2]

Winegum, I didn't say your hormone levels are okay. It's likely to be your GP that says that. It's a nonsense to suggest that clinical symptoms are non-thyroidal but become thyroidal the moment hormones go out of range but that is what BTA protocols imply.

Fluctuating TSH levels can be due to autoimmune thyroid disease. Ask your GP to test thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies. If positive, progression to overt hypothyroidism and eventual failure of the thyroid gland is inevital and accruing symptoms can be nipped in the bud by prescribing Levothyroxine. See Dr. Toft's comments in this link thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

You may be feeling worse because although your TSH is lower your FT4 and FT3 lag behind and may still be improving.

[Winegum2]

Thanks Clutter. I've had TPO tested and it was negative, I had to push for that, its unlikely that I'll get the other one done. Are many Hypo people only Tg positive?

[Clutter in reply to Winegum2]

Winegum, quite a few have only TPO or only TG but some have both. I looked back at your posts and I do think your symptoms are hypothyroid. There are a lot of people who are extremely symptomatic with TSH >2.5 but NHS rarely acknowledges it until TSH is over range and quite a few decide to self-medicate for that reason.

[faith63]

To me, it looks like you don't convert that well. Only my opinion as someone who converts worse than you do, much worse. Maybe add some t3 and see what happens?

[Winegum2 in reply to faith63]

Thanks Faith but I am yet undiagnosed/unmedicated so unfortunately. I don't have that option.

[greygoose]

I would say you aren't converting very well. Your FT4 is over mid-range (14.25) but your FT3 is Under (4.95). That, to me, says low conversion. The FT3 should be higher in its range than the FT4 in its.

[Winegum2 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose. It may be due to my low Ferritin, 18 at last count. I've been supplementing with Spatone but perhaps its not doing much. I found this in quite an interesting article;

Iron deficiency is shown to significantly reduce T4 to T3 conversion, increase reverse T3 levels, and block the thermogenic (metabolism boosting) properties of thyroid hormone (238-242). Thus, iron deficiency, as indicated by an iron saturation below 25 or a ferritin below 70, will result in diminished intracellular T3 levels. Additionally, T4 should not be considered adequate thyroid replacement if iron deficiency is present.

nahypothyroidism.org/deiodi...

[greygoose in reply to Winegum2]

It very well might be, yes! That's why we always tell people to get their ferritin and serum iron tested. Maybe you could ask another question, asking people how best to raise levels of iron, what they take, etc. I take spatone, myself, but then I'm on T3 only.

[Winegum2 in reply to greygoose]

Greygoose where did you read that FT3 should be higher in its range? Could you send me a link? Thanks

[greygoose in reply to Winegum2]

It was something I learnt on another forum. I don't think I have a link, I lost most of my links when my computer crashed last year (I didn't know you lost your favourites! sob). But I'll have a look around for you, see what I can find.

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

Well, a quicklook hasn't come up with anything - it wasn't where i thought it was - but I thought you might find this interesting :

chriskresser.com/low-t3-syn...

[Winegum2]

Thanks Greygoose!

[Impalpable]

I am positive for thyroglobulin and in-range for TPO - I found out with a private Blue Horizon test. The road hasn't been easy but I have now started on levothyroxine and I am feeling a bit better.

[Winegum2]

Impalpable, I can't really afford any more private tests at the moment. I will ask my GP about it tomorrow, although I don't think the NHS usually do that one.