Hashis and T3

[Dahlia17]

First of all thanks to Marz, Seaside Suzie and Clutter for invaluable advice today re my BH results. I'm very grateful. Just one query now though. If, as my bloods suggest, I have Hashis, should I be looking at introducing T3 and perhaps reducing Levo?

[Clutter]

Dahlia17,

There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Levothyroxine is the usual therapy for hypothyroidism. Your FT3 T3 4.86 (3.1 - 6.8) doesn't indicate poor conversion so you may not benefit from adding T3.

[Dahlia17 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you. I have made appointment with GP. Just wanted to be fully aware before I go

[greygoose]

My opinion is that you're not converting very well - you are converting some, of course, but your FT4 is very high - top of the range - compared to your FT3, which is not quite mid-range. Most people need their FT3 up the top of the range to feel well.

If you increase your T4 to try and raise your FT3, your FT4 is going to go well over-range, and that could lead to converting to excessive rT3, which you don't want.

If you feel well on the dose you're on, no problem. But if you don't, then a little T3, added to a reduced dose of T4 would probably be beneficial.

[Dahlia17 in reply to greygoose]

What reduction would you suggest to try. I currently have aching finger joints and shoulder aches too. My hair is shedding like billy-o and I am still not sleeping well/fatigued.

[greygoose in reply to Dahlia17]

Well, that depends how much T3 you add in. If you do start taking T3, you should start it low, and increase slowly, reducing T4 as you go.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Dahlia17 I agree with Greygoose

Free T4 21.10 (12 - 22) = 91% through range

Free T3 4.86 (3.1 - 6.8) = 47% through range

FT4:FT3 ratio = 4.34:1 - this should be lower than 4:1

A small amount of T3 with a slight reduction in Levo could help. Your GP won't know this, an enlightened endo might know, and plenty of members who have done this themselves do know.

Your aching finger joints and shoulders could be low level of Vit D. Hair loss can be linked to low ferritin, even low zinc, as well as Hypothyroidism.

[Dahlia17 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you so much for all your help today. I have ordered Vit D test. I think you are right about the GP, I can see a lot of furrowed brows on Friday. He can be quite good at times, but then equally he can snap and be dissmissive. It isn't just me that thinks that, my neighbour says the same. I did kind of anticipate this and stocked up on Vits & Minerals to take. I also have a pack of T3 that I haven't touched yet. I will see what he says and then instead of getting upset & emotional, I will start taking them. Do you know what the ratio is to Levo? I'm on 150 mg. If I drop to 125 mg what T3 can I safely take?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Dahlia17]

I started to add T3 to a reduced dose of Levo. I'm not medically trained so can only suggest what has worked for me and what is often advised on the forum.

T3 is roughly 3-4 times 'as potent' (wrong word but my brain can't find the right one at the moment!) so a quarter of a 25mcg tablet of T3 is roughly equivalent to 25mcg Levo.

I would reduce Levo by 25mcg and add 6.25mcg T3. Keep it at that for a few weeks and see how you feel. You could do a fingerprick Thyroid Plus Three from Blue Horizon (£49) or Thyroid Monitoring from Medichecks (£39) to see how your levels have changed - both test TSH, FT4 and FT3. You may or may not feel the need to tweak again, if you do then do it gradually, quarter of a T3 tablet at a time with a relevant reduction in Levo if you feel it's necessary and give it a few weeks before re-testing. You need to keep an eye on FT3 level when using T3. TSH and FT4 generally tend to lower when taking T3, and FT3 should be kept in range.

Your GP won't agree with you using non-prescription T3. It's up to you whether you are going to tell him. I haven't told mine but I regularly test my levels and am very sensible about how I tweak my dose.

[Dahlia17]

I think it will remain in my domain only. I'm quite happy to pay for monitoring my own levels, I've had 15 years of this and all the assorted reasons my GP's gave me for being unwell. Thanks again, you have been a great help

[Dahlia17 in reply to Dahlia17]

Post script to all my woes. I just ate my first Liver dinner, it wasn't too bad

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Dahlia17]

Oh well done! There are lots of recipes out there but I like it nice and simple. Cook sliced onions in butter to how you like them. Slice liver thinly, soak in milk (I usually soak overnight), drain off milk and pat liver dry. Gently fry liver in butter, don't overcook or it will go 'leathery', you want it tender. It only takes a few minutes.

[Dahlia17 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes I did all that and ate it with wilted spinach & watercress mix plus a spoonful of Carrot & Swede mash. It weren't too awful. I'm feeling quite virtuous LOL