Conversion issue ?

[ritecharm]

Hi. Could some one please tell me how to improve conversion to t3. From my lab tests below I feel I do have a conversion problem that's causing my neuro symptoms. Doctors are dismissive of this problem , saying my thyroid values are very good

Tsh 1.51( 0.27-4.2)

FT4 1.6 (0.93-1.7)

FT3 2.9 (2.0-4.43)

B12 496 (197-771)

[greygoose]

I don't think you have a conversion problem. Or only a very slight one. Maybe if you optimise your B12, it might correct itself.

You should take 1000 mcg sublingual methylcobalamin (B12) daily. And with that, take a B complex, to keep the Bs balanced. Optimal for B12 is 1000.

However, if your B12 is low, other things could be low, too. Have you had your vit D, folate and ferritin tested?

You could also try taking selenium for conversion.

[ritecharm in reply to greygoose]

Hi since my ft4 is pretty high but ft3 is close to low range I deducted it's a conversion issue , sorry I don't know much about my disease , just trying to learn

[greygoose in reply to ritecharm]

Your FT4 is just over mid-range, and your FT3 is just under mid-range. Not a lot of difference at all. Certainly not enough to interest a doctor.

Levo is T4, but you're not taking enough of it. You need a dose increase. As elji says, your TSH should be one or under, and being as high as yours shows you're not taking enough levo.

You can safely take up to 200 mcg selenium.

[Trixie33]

Selenium seems to have helped me. Along with following the usual advice about b12, Vitamin D and Ferritin.

[ritecharm in reply to Trixie33]

How much selenium is recommended ? I take 100

[Trixie33 in reply to ritecharm]

Mine are 200mcg. The UK RNI is only 75 for men and 60 for women but the maximum daily intake for long term use from supplements is suggested at 350 mcg per day.

[ritecharm]

Yes I am on levo. But levo won't help win conversion issue . I think. Isn't levo t4 ?

[Hidden]

You certainly DO have a conversion problem.

Your FT4 is not just over mid- range it is one below the TOP of the range!

Your FT3 is not even half way!

It would be fine to increase your levo thyroxine raising your FT4 level above range but the FT3 MUST remain in range.

Without a conversion problem your FT3 should be higher in its range than your FT4.

I would ask your GP to refer you to an Endo. explain that your Ft3 is not even half way in the range and that is the active hormone.

I have the same problem and my endo absolutely agrees that the my FT3 is too low. He is raising my levo to get it higher. Or adding in some T3.

I hope that helps a little.

X

[ritecharm in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. Yes I do feel I have an issue. I battle a host of neurological symptoms as you may see in my previous posts, I lose hair in copious amounts and skin is getting dry,maybe all of its connected to thyroid maybe not but I don't feel well and feel depressed. i hope I can get to see an endo here. I also think many be some t3 addition will help me. Would be interested to know what course of action your endo takes