High Reverse T3

[Booksellercate]

Hello,

I recently had my thyroid panel checked. I've been very unwell for over a year with symptoms including: fatigue, general overall weakness, lightheadedness, orthostatic hypotension, offbalance feeling, joint pain, leg weakness, difficulty sleeping, digestive issues, hairloss, bladder dysfunction, brainfog, tinnitus.

I've done a little research on reverse T3 and learned that it can block T3 from being utilised properly, thereby leaving patients functionally hypothyroid.

If I am interested in trying T3 to see if it helps to alleviate some of my symptoms and/or reduce my reverse T3 to a healthier figure. I'd love to hear any advice or suggestions on how to approach medicating with T3/NDT to reduce RT3. Thank you!

TSH - 3.45 (0.27)

Free thyroxine - 16 (12 - 22)

T4 94.8 - (59 - 154)

Free T3 - 5.62 (3.10 - 6.80)

Reverse T3 - 23 (10 - 24)

B12 - >1476

Folate - 19.98

Ferritin - 105.6

Vitamin D - 126 (50 - 200)

CRP 0.5 (0 - 5)

[budgie10_0]

If you had the Doctor i have seen today about my vitimin b12 and folate you would be thrown out of the door with no treatment and no answers, my Doctor told mr he does not know wht RT3 and RT3 ratio is hes never heard of it, thats after telling me he worked in a blood lab while training to be a GP and also i have a higher RT3 than yours and suffering with identical symptoms, i do wish i had your ranges of B12, D and Folate though mine are scraping the bottom of the barrel, i do very much hope you have a better Doctor than me.

[Booksellercate in reply to budgie10_0]

I have encountered more knowledge and better advice on forums such as this than from any of the 20 or so NHS doctors I've seen.

And I really only currently trust one person with my health: me.

PS - B12 is injected hydroxocobalamin (it wasn't always so healthy). Vitamin D raised with enthusiastic embracing of sunny days and consistent supplementation. Same with folate. Careful and considered supplementation with time outside and lots of vegetables should sort your levels out

[Clutter in reply to budgie10_0]

Budgie10_0,

As far as I'm aware rT3 is sent to the USA for analysis so your GP probably hasn't come across it. rT3 isn't seen as important in the UK and isn't tested on NHS so it is unlikely GPs are taught about it in med school.

[greygoose]

Your rT3 isn't over-range, so I doubt it's causing the problem you suggest. In fact, you convert T4 to T3 rather well. Although your FT3 could be higher - and your TSH lower, come to that. I think you just need an increase in levo.

[Booksellercate in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for replying -I'm not currently medicated for my thyroid at all.

I see your point about RT3 - there's a common belief that this should be much lower in the range. I don't know if that's true or not..the only way to find out is to take T3 I guess.

[greygoose in reply to Booksellercate]

Ah, I see. Well, you rT3 could be at the top of the range because you have a virus or something. Everyone has some rT3, it's a safety mechanism to save energy when you are ill or starving, or something.

[Clutter]

Booksellercate,

I believe the theory that high rT3 blocks T3 receptor cells has been debunked recently. I'm unable to link to anything though. rT3 23 is within range so it isn't considered high.

TSH 3.45 does indicate your thyroid gland is struggling but FT4 16 is normal for someone not taking thyroid replacement and FT3 5.62 is very good indeed. Notwithstanding, thyroid symptoms can precede abnormal bloods by months/years so you might find self-medicating Levothyroxine, NDT or T3 helpful. 25 - 37.5mcg Levothyroxine or 1/2 grain NDTwould be an appropriate starting dose.

CRP, B12, folate, vitD and ferritin all look very good.

[Booksellercate in reply to Clutter]

Thank you for this. I'll see if I can find the debunked theory.

I think the only way to know if my thyroid is contributing/causing symptoms is to try taking some NDT or T3. I'm not hanging my hat on the theory that my thyroid is causing any, let alone all, of my symptoms but I would like to rule it out.

Would 25g of T3 be an appropriate starting dose to try?

[Clutter in reply to Booksellercate]

Booksellercate,

No, 25mcg T3 is equivalent to 75mcg Levothyroxine which I think is probably double the dose you may need. Why do you want to start with T3? Your FT3 level is good.

[Booksellercate in reply to Clutter]

My brain hasn't quite accepted the debunked RT3 theory I think...!

Would I feel better if my TSH was lower? I don't know but I'd like to try.

I feel absolutely awful, and nobody can tell me why. Most of my blood tests look like those of a healthy, well-functioning body. My strategy is to leave no stone unturned and rule out everything. I have lost my job, my business, my boyfriend, my flat and my car due to this 'illness'..I have nothing else left to lose. When your life goal becomes to not feel like utter crap 24/7, trying something which offers even the smallest possibility of helping of providing clues will not be ignored.

[Clutter in reply to Booksellercate]

Booksellercate,

I wasn't suggesting you shouldn't try thyroid replacement. The only way to know whether it will be helpful is to try it. I was wondering why you have decided on T3? Levothyroxine or NDT are likely to be the easier to manage.

[Booksellercate in reply to Clutter]

Apologies, I misunderstood your comment.

I'm getting conflicting advice on trying T3 or NDT - I suppose different things work for different bodies, metabolisms, circumstances.

My understanding of the thyroid is probably, if I'm honest, not quite there yet which is why I'm not sure about T3 or NDT (the only two I can access). I tried to talk to an NHS doctor about my thyroid and also some Cortisol results - his response was to send me for a psychiatric assessment, so I'm trying to figure this out without no doctor and lots of brainfog.

[Clutter in reply to Booksellercate]

Booksellercate,

Levothyroxine works for the majority of people and is as available without prescription as NDT and T3 are. PM me if you need sources.

If you need advice about cortisol results post a new question with your results and ranges.

[Booksellercate in reply to Clutter]

Thank you. I will PM if I need help sourcing.

[StarFlower2]

Booksellercate, I have suffered with high (over range) RT3 and have similar symptoms to you. My life was in tatters for over 3 years. It didnt matter, in my case, where my other thyroid hormones were in range, I had hypothyroid symptoms for the whole time my RT3 was high. I found I could not take Levothyroxine as it pushed my RT3 even higher. I self medicate on T3 only medication, it took over 12 weeks to clear RT3 at which time a felt I was getting my life back. I now continue to take a low dose of Cytomel 4 times a day.

[Booksellercate in reply to StarFlower2]

Thanks for replying and sorry to see that somebody else's life has been left in tatters due to health issues.

Today I received my T3 (NDT on the way), 5mg methcobalamin ampoules and Seriphos (for high Cortisol). Tomorrow I've to sit down and figure out what to do with these resources! I'm expecting this next stage of working with thyroid meds and Cortisol supplements to take some time..if they even work. After 18 months of illness though, 12 weeks doesn't seem so bad!

You speak in the present tense of having the symptoms but later that you feel you're getting your life back..do you think the high RT3 was causing your issues? How are you now?

I haven't met many people with my symptoms and test results combination. Lots of people have similar symptoms...but then find out they have ferritin, B12 or vitamin D on the floor. I've ruled out most of the usual suspects.

[StarFlower2 in reply to Booksellercate]

I continue to have some hypothyroid symptoms but i've improved greatly over the last year and most days are good. I have a few other issues such as high ferritin, high cortisol and my blood sugar is pretty high too. I'm constantly working at improving my health and find groups such as this help enormously.

[Booksellercate in reply to StarFlower2]

It's encouraging to hear you've greatly improved. I hope you've found the root cause of your issues. I think it can take some time to recover from being so ill. I agree-these groups are wonderful places to share experiences and hard-earned knowledge