RT3 Blood Spot test?

[Rhsana]

Does anyone know if there is a blood spot test (not blood draw) for reverse T3? I have been turned into a voodoo doll this morning by the company medic who was trying to use the geneva blood draw tube to no avail. Lovely guy... a tad prickly. Puntastc Thursday!

[shaws Administrator]

This is part of a responseI did earlier re Reverse T3 which is rapidly removed from our bodies:-

This may seem trifling, and indeed, the issue of which comes first, increased temperature or enzyme activity, may only be an academic concern. But other issues I believe Dr. Wilson gets wrong have practical implications. For example, I don’t believe sustained-release T3 is the best use of T3. The reason? The longer T3 stays in the small intestine, the greater the chance that calcium and other agents in food will bind some of the T3. The binding will then carry the T3 out in the patient’s stool, reducing the amount that reaches his blood.

Moreover, Dr. Wilson’s idea that the enzyme that converts T4 to T3 gets “stuck”[3,p.2] is entirely without scientific substantiation.[2,p.280] In fact, the relevant research literature shows this notion to be close to the outer realm of possibilities. Directing treatment at a “stuck” enzyme is to therapeutically shot way off target. In contrast, treatment intelligently directed at a target that is truly instrumental in causing a patient’s symptoms is far more likely to benefit the patient.

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

Another from the above link (my highlighting):

Another enzyme called 5-deiodinase continually converts some T4 to reverse-T3. Reverse-T3 does not stimulate metabolism. It is produced as a way to help clear some T4 from the body.

Under normal conditions, cells continually convert about 40% of T4 to T3. They convert about 60% of T4 to reverse-T3. Hour-by-hour, conversion of T4 continues with slight shifts in the percentage of T4 converted to T3 and reverse-T3. Under normal conditions, the body eliminates reverse-T3 rapidly.

[Rhsana in reply to shaws]

Thanks shaws , that is really interesting, I'm assuming that you mean this to say that in most cases an RT3 test is irrelevant?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Rhsana]

I am not medically qualified but I'd say yes. I am on T3 only, have also taken different NDTs, and levothyroxine.

The procedure to find out what suits me best has taken a long time.

I've never tested RT3 but am well with no clinical symptoms. For instance, if we think we have RT3 and it is rapidly removed from our bodies how could we pinpoint the best time to have such a test?

[Rhsana in reply to shaws]

I see what you are saying, I guess my issue is this, It is clear the NDT and t3 I am taking isn't getting to my cells, I have (to the best of my knowledge and with the help of a practitioner) exhausted all other scenarios, My vit levels have been tested and I am now supplementing accordingly as well as b12 injections.

My adrenals have been tested, and they came back 'normal'

I have done a toxicology urine test, a stool test and all the usual bloods.

I am on 3 grains of NDT and 50mcg T3 - that seems like a lot, though I am still very symptomatic. Getting out of bed in the morning is excruciating, my daily hair loss is heart wrenching and the myexoderma on my arms legs and stomach area is painful to the point that it makes it hard to breath. There seems to be no relief from the daily discomfort (understatement of the century) and it would appear that the 'medication' I am taking is not being absorbed in the body properly, or not getting to my cells? My last labs showed low tsh, low t4 and high t3, does it not stand to reason that I have a RT3 issue? (all of my assumptions are from things I have read, in truth It would be a relief to be wrong on this one! )

R x

[shaws Administrator in reply to Rhsana]

Some of us have a defective gene DIO2 which means we cannot convert T4. T4 is inactive and it's job is only to convert to T3. T3 is the active hormone and it is T3 that enters the receptor cells.

This is info re DI02 gene and you can have a test. I haven't but assume I probably am as for me, and I tried levo, T4/T3 and NDTs too but am well on T3 only.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[Rhsana in reply to shaws]

Thanks, yes, I have already had this test done, I am waiting for the results, in the meantime my doctor suggested the rt3 test.

[shaws Administrator in reply to shaws]

This is another excerpt and if your Doctor wishes you to have a RT3 follow his instructions:-

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...

[Rhsana in reply to shaws]

That is really helpful, thank you so much! I suspect, I might need to up my dose, I am just a little afraid of not recognising the symptoms of over stimulation because as fas as I have read, they seem pretty similar to the symptoms I am already experiencing being under medicated. Its a tad confuzling. 8)

[shaws Administrator in reply to Rhsana]

Your pulse might be too fast, you might feel quite hot/sweaty, temp might be higher than normal (i.e. normal for hypo is usually lower than a healthy person's).

[Rhsana in reply to shaws]

My avg. resting heart rate has risen to 82 and then 88 since medicating before that it was 72. So it was actually higher I am told? my temp is averaging at 36.6 but has on the odd occasion jumped to 37.4. I initially assumed this all meant I was overmedicated but I don't 'feel' overmedicated.

[Rhsana in reply to shaws]

Also, just a side note, as I was getting my bloods taken today I haven't had any NDT or T3 since 4am yesterday morning.. and I am feeling very jittery/sweaty/ anxious (all physically not emotionally) these are what I thought overmedication symptoms are but I can't be can I as I haven't had anything today. R x

[greygoose in reply to Rhsana]

In 3 grains of NDT, you only have 27 mcg T3, if you can't convert the T4. Which brings you up to 77 mcg T3. That's not such a high dose. Some people take a lot more. You need what you need, there is no magical upper limit at which you are supposed to 'feel well'.

[Rhsana in reply to greygoose]

Yes, I've been suspecting I might need to up T3 and leave ndt all together, to get my Doc on side I thought I would get the rt3 bloods done. From what you say and what shaws says, it looks like I jumped the gun a little, have already bought the test though just cant seem to get the blood out. Funtastic! R x

[greygoose in reply to Rhsana]

Well, leave it a while and try again. Make sure you're well hydrated and warm!

[Rhsana in reply to greygoose]

Will do, thanks greygoose ! R x

[greygoose in reply to Rhsana]

You're welcome.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I haven't read through the replies properly but as far as I know there is no blood spot test for rT3, it must be a blood draw (the blood may have to be spun or something)

Also, I'm just wondering how you got hold of that photo of my replica doctor I keep in my bedroom 😂

[Rhsana in reply to SeasideSusie]

tehehe we must have the same GP Thanks SS, that's what I thought, I couldn't find a bloodspot one and thought I might be foggy braining out, so thanks for the clarification. Guess its back to the blood drawing board. R x