T3 advice please.

[Pixelpup]

Just a thought. Up until recently my Levo levels have been stable and my doctor has never entertained the idea that I could have a conversion problem. From a previous post with some results it was suggested that I may not be converting very well. I am going to ask for T3 to be done as well next time they test. The fact that I can not loose weight and have put on about 15/20kg in the last year and a bit even though I do lots of exercise makes me wonder! The question I have is - if the doctor is not interested would it be dangerous to try a small dose of T3 privately my self medicating and see if it helps me feel better as well as help with the weight loss. A gp friend (sadly she can't treat me 🙁) said if you take any meds, like T3 privately and you tell your dr they are obligated to test you and keep testing you or you can complain as they are not doing their job. Thanks for your advice and ideas 😊

[greygoose]

I don't think your doctor friend is right on that one. What they can do is refuse to test you at all, and leave you to fend for yourself.

I think it is possible that the reason you can't lose weight is BECAUSE of all the exercising. Exercise has never made anyone lose weight, and certainly not a hypo. But, it will make you put more on because it uses up all your T3, which you cannot easily replace. It also uses up the calories you need for conversion. So, if you stop the exercising - just gentle walking, swimming or yoga - then you might find that your FT3 will rise and you will eventually lose weight.

But, if you really want to take T3, it won't be dangerous, no, as long as your FT3 stays in range. But, I think you're going to have to do your own testing. Doctors are very good at not doing their job and getting away with it! lol

[Pixelpup in reply to greygoose]

Thanks. My problem is when I say exercises for I mean lots of walking. It's my job so can't really cut down on it 😁

[greygoose in reply to Pixelpup]

Ah, well, it's always best to say what you mean.

[Pixielula]

My own experience with my own Gp is, she still monitors me even though I self medicate with T3 and NDT, and self inject B12. She said she would rather know about it than not. She still gives me my allotted 12 weekly B12 shot. And test my THS T3 T4.......

[amadeusdante]

Get a Reverse. T3 test done. ?You will have to do it privately, Nuffield Health hospitals can do them for around £80-£100 (I think) this will give you the facts if you are not converting and it makes it difficult for your Dr to ignore what you are saying. Are you seeing an Endo? If not I suggest you do...but choose wisely. Good luck.

[shaws Administrator]

I certainly would say that you might feel much better with the addition of T3. It made a big difference to how I felt when miserable on T4 only and quite a few have found it very helpful. Hormones are harmless as long as you don't overdose, so you should take pulse/temp before you add T3 and if either pulse/temp goes too high reduce either T4 or T3.

web.archive.org/web/2010112...

I was surprised I could feel much worse when first on levothyroxine and my TSH was 100 and that was bad enough.

I'm now well thanks to the advice of TUK and we didn't have a forum then.

If you go to the date on the following link, you will read another facet of RT3. March 24, 1999. This is an excerpt:

A popular belief nowadays (proposed by Dr. Dennis Wilson) has not been proven to be true, and much scientific evidence tips the scales in the "false" direction with regard to this idea. The belief is that the process involving impaired T4 to T3 conversion—with increases in reverse-T3—becomes stuck. The "stuck" conversion is supposed to cause chronic low T3 levels and chronically slowed metabolism. Some have speculated that the elevated reverse-T3 is the culprit, continually blocking the conversion of T4 to T3 as a competitive substrate for the 5’-deiodinase enzyme. However, this belief is contradicted by studies of the dynamics of T4 to T3 conversion and T4 to reverse-T3 conversion. Laboratory studies have shown that when factors such as increased cortisol levels cause a decrease in T4 to T3 conversion and an increase in T4 to reverse-T3 conversion, the shift in the percentages of T3 and reverse-T3 produced is only temporary.

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

[Clutter]

Pixelpup,

Your GP is NOT obligated to test FT3 because you are self medicating or even if you are prescribed T3. Your GP surgery may not be able to order FT3, many can only order TSH and FT4.

[Lilian15 in reply to Clutter]

My GP cannot get me tested for T3 even though she is prescribing it. My endo absolutely refused to have it tested saying it is an unreliable test as T3 fluctuates all day.

[Clutter in reply to Lilian15]

Lilian15,

TSH fluctuates throughout the day but I expect your endo orders that. healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

You can order your own FT3 test from Blue Horizon or Genova via thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[Lilian15 in reply to Clutter]

Yes Clutter I did recognise it as yet another excuse. I originally got my T3 tested privately 16 years ago when I started to have severe problems yet a TSH of 1.6. Doctor said not thyroid, test said T3 below range. So it was be ill or self medicate which I did (after initially getting a private doctor to get me to the right dose) for 12 years before an endo finally agreed I did need it, so GP has been prescribing it. Lately she wanted more re-assurance that she should continue, so sent me to an endo again. Her query is whether to continue prescribing T3 - so he does every test EXCEPT T3. However, I am fine on the medication I am taking at the moment so do not feel I need to test again.