Reliable source of T3

[moniacho]

Hi, my latest blood results suggest I may not be converting well, since my T4 is top of the range and T3 half way through the range. Could anybody PM me with their tried and reliable source of T3 without prescription please? Thank you

Results I received today:

TSH <0.03 mu/L [0.2-6]

Free T4 19.9 pmol/L [10-20]

Free T3 5.6 pmol/L [3.5-7]

[Clutter]

Moniacho,

You appear to be a very good converter as FT3 5.6 is a little shy of the upper third of range.

[moniacho in reply to Clutter]

Oh, I was just discussing with another member who advised:

"Actually, you don't have to have zero FT3 to have a conversion problem. You don't convert very well, as it happens, because your FT4 is up the top of the range, and your FT3 is only just over mid-range. They should at least be equal distances through the range, if not the FT3 higher than the FT4. Your FT3 could be higher, and that could explain your symptoms. "

[Clutter in reply to moniacho]

Moniacho,

Do the maths yourself, 5.6 is closer to top third of range than halfway throuogh range.

A lot of what's said on the forum needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. I've never seen any research or thyroid advocate saying FT4 and FT3 need to be equally positioned in range. If you are taking Levothyroxine FT4 will usually be higher in range than FT3. If you are taking NDT or T4+T3 then FT3 may be higher in range than FT4 because you are taking some T3 direct and don't need so much T4 for conversion.

[moniacho in reply to Clutter]

In that case, do you think I should increase my Levothyroxine to push T3 closer to the top? That will then push T4 over the range.

I asked my GP today whether I could increase the dose, but he said no as my TSH is already suppressed.

I am still not well, even with T4 top and T3 middle. There must be something that can be done. I do not want to accept that I will have to be like this forever.

[Clutter in reply to moniacho]

Moniacho,

I would first check ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate are optimal. Low/deficient levels are common in hypothyroid patients and can cause symptoms similar to hypothyroid symptoms.

Increasing Levothyroxine dose or adding T3 will further suppress your TSH. I would try a small dose of T3 rather than push FT4 over range.