T3

[Piedo]

I usually have my print out of blood results from surgery this time she said they don t give them out any more only for consultant use ! Told me to apply to access my medical records on line and print them myself.

A locum doctor rang me about my suppressed TSH I asked if my T 3 had been done he said no.

Yesterday surgery rang to say I could have a print out as I have been referred to encrinologist when I got them my T3 had been tested and was 3.9 (2.5. - 5.7 )

Does this level show I am converting ?

My TSH 0.01

T4 18.2 (9 - 20)

I want to be prepared for a battle with encrinologist as I know they will want to drop my thyroxine to 75 I m on 100 at moment

Thanks Piedo

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ask for "trial" of T3 (Trial is a key word here)

Refuse to just drop T4.

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested?

Perhaps consider DIO2 gene test

[Piedo in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks slow dragon

I like the use of word 'trial' I ll give it a go with encrinologist

Piedo

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Piedo If FT3 and FT4 were done at the same time, conversion isn't particularly good. Good conversion takes place when FT4: FT3 ratio is 4:1 or less (I've also seen it said 3:1) and yours is 18.2 : 3.9 = 4.66 : 1

Also, FT4 and FT3 should be in balance, in the upper part of the range of that is where you feel well then. Your FT4 is 83% through it's range and FT3 is 43% through it's range, so again shows conversion is poor.

There is no reason to reduce your Levo. You will be told it's necessary because your TSH is suppressed, but as T3 is the active hormone then FT3 is the test that most important.

Whether your doctor will accept this is another thing!!!

[Piedo in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you seaside susie

I will get my head around those figures and use them when I see the encrinologist I don t hold out much hope of them giving meT3

Especially with the latest news report on T 3 !

I really feel as I don t have a thyroid I need the T3

My d3 and B12 were tested three months ago and were low since I have been self medicating I am starting to feel better and my T4 has risen from 16.8 to 18.2 on 100 throxine

Piedo

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Piedo]

Recommended to also take B complex when taking B12 to keep the B's together, also will help folate

But remember to stop any supplements with biotin in 4-5 before any thyroid blood tests. Biotin is in most B complex

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

Great article about interaction of vitamins B and D

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

[Milady in reply to SlowDragon]

that's super useful information, thank you!

[Phoenix605 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi Seaside Susie, How the heck do you work out the ratios? My conversion can be a bit creative. I am mathematically challenged but willing to have a go if pointed in the right direction. Is there a formula or process you use, or do you have 'an app for that' 🤔🤔

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Phoenix605]

App??? What's one of them??? 😂 I'm a dinosaur!!!

The ratio is easy, you divide the FT4 result by the FT3 result, so

18.2÷3.9 = 4.66

[Phoenix605 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ok, that simple, now I just feel stupid, DOH 😜😜

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Phoenix605]

Of course, it's easy when you know how. Someone had to tell me in the first place

[smudger1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SeasideSusie my ft 4 is 10 and ft3 is 5.4 so is the ratio 1.85? Is that poor? Sorry don't mean to butt in.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to smudger1]

smudger1 You can't really say with results like yours. Your FT4 is very low, is it actually in range - post your results with their ranges. Are you on Levo only? If you are taking NDT or T3 then you can't work out the natural T4:T3 conversion, it's impossible because you're adding T3.

[Hidden]

If you supplement your medication which is a form of iodine converting in your thyroid, with iodine in food such as natural yoghurt, milk, fishpaste, and fish, including shell fish prawns every day, you can increase your iodine if your specialist says you need a lower dose.

I have never been treated with levothyroxine and have a goitre which has receded after several months of loading my diet with foods with iodine in. I have read of other people on low levo who have increased their iodine and have good results.

If your endo says your dose is too high, then he she should explain to you why. Cheers.

[Piedo in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for replying

I had my thyroid removed in2012 due to a multi modular goitre

So I don t think loading my diet with iodine rich food would really help

Piedo

[Hidden]

Total removal? Agreed.

[Piedo]

Yes total removal