Below normal T3 - minerals

[eddie1952]

Showed GP my private Thyroid results. TSH and Free T4 normal but I'm concerned T3 is 2.4 (3.1 - 6.8) I know we need T4 to make T3 but I have restless legs (they think) and Raynauds and shocks to body/burning sensation hands/feet and muscle spasms. Basal temp 35.6 av. and pulse less than 60, even 52 p.minute.

According to the International Hormone Society (lots of info) - intlhormonesociety.org. Serum T3 should be in the upper tertile (33%) reference range to function and feel well. Blood test ranges don't seem to mean much as GPs only go by ranges which differ from area to area and not take into account patients' symptoms and their optimal range levels. Also with postmenopausal women there is a higher risk of breast cancer if the Free T3 is not above the lower tertile and preferably in the upper tertile (33%).

I read that T3 is dependent on ZINC for conversion. Minerals aren't normally tested but so important e.g. selenium, zinc,calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and vit D which if off there's a chance of parathyroid not functioning. Lack of T3 and T4 alters fat metabolism and lead to furring of coronary arteries and reduction of blood supply to heart muscle. low levels of Selennium cause inactivity of T3.

[Kes8]

What did your GP say/do/prescribe/refer etc.?

[eddie1952 in reply to Kes8]

GP is waste of time!! Told me to get my Nutritionist or ENT doctor to sort my thyroid out. (The GPs don't like you mentioning Nutritionists!). Gave all info I had with me. Left to my own devices now. I saw a nutritionist a few months ago. I'm on Vit D, Vit K2, probiotics, magnesium. Now put myself on selenium and high doses of Vit C powder (amla amla) and feel better in myself. Got family history of thyroid.My TSH is 1.42 mIU/L (.27-4.20), free T4 is 15.68 pmol/L(12-22) and total T4 is 102.8 pmol/L(59 - 154). Antibodies less than 10 - thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibodies = 14.56.. I have Raynauds so have cold hands etc. My ferritin is 112 (normal) and folate 10.4 (normal) I paid privately for thyroid and B12 'active' which can be cause of RLS but NHS will not accept it - only their own lab results so waste of money and effort! My B12 is normal (NHS) but the 'active' info says I should be further tested with MMA as B12 may not be getting into the cells or poor absorption. I have done so much research as top RLS expert doctor in USA says over 50% of RLS cases are because of poor B12 or lack of iron. Iron levels normal. These symptoms all started from a flu-like virus in January.Asked to see a Neurologist but now one has to be referred to a panel to see if your case is worthy and it doesn't look like it from her response - just have to live with it. She wanted to put me on Amytriptylene or Gabapentin for the symptoms and couldn't understand why I declined.

[humanbean]

Could you type in the results you've got, including reference ranges, and include any vitamin and mineral results that you have.

Restless legs, muscle spasm, cramps, twitching and fasciculations can be caused by several nutrient deficiencies, although I think your biggest and most obvious problem with the info you've given so far is your low T3 and that can cause just about anything. Every cell in the body needs T3 to function correctly, so just about any symptom can occur when its low.

For the restless legs, etc you should get a full iron panel done.

Also important for the spasms, cramp and twitching is magnesium, vitamin D, and potassium. Magnesium blood tests are unreliable and are not informative anyway - most of the magnesium in the body is stored in the body's cells, not in the blood. But tests should be done for the other things I mentioned before supplementing.

[eddie1952 in reply to humanbean]

My TSH is 1.42 mIU/L (.27 - 4.20), Free T4 15.68 pmol/L (12-22), Total T4 102.8 pmol/L (59-154) Free T3 3.7 pmol/L (3.10-6.80). Thyroglobulin antibody less than 10 IU/mL (0.00-115), peroxidase antibodies 14.56 IU/mL (0.00-34). Folate 10.4 (2.7-18.8), ferritin 112 (normal)

I asked for mineral testing but she my GP didn't respond except to suggest I might see my Nutritionist for my thyroid. Just been tested for peripheral neuropathy but all the tests are normal. Had all normal bloods done and vitamin results all 'normal' Im on supplements of Vit D, K2, 2 probiotics, magnesium, selenium, hight Vit C powder (amla amla) and Omega 3. These symptoms started end January from a virus which attacked my muscles and triggered Raynauds and RLS. Been to a Rheumatologist but all results normal. Its a battle not knowing exactly what is wrong but no one seems to want to know and suggests I just live with it and take amytriptylene or gabapentin to help the symptoms which I refused.Paid also for B12 'active' test which showed my results needed more testing - MMA - but doctors don't want anything to do with other tests if they are not their NHS ones so that's been a waste of money and effort. Ive put myself on B12 sublingual spray but don't use it every day.

[Clutter]

Eddie1952,

It's low T3 levels which cause hypothyroid symptoms.

'Normal' thyroid ranges are very broad. What are your TSH and FT4 results and ranges?

Are you prescribed Levothyroxine?

[eddie1952 in reply to Clutter]

my TSH is 1.42 mIU/L (.27 - 4.20), Free T4 15.68 pmol/L (12-22)

Total T4 102.8 nmol/L (59-154)

Free T3 3.7 pmol/l (3.10-6.80) Antibody less than 10 (0.00-115)

peroxidase antibodies 14.56 iu/mL (0.00 - 34.00) - all came back as normal.GP didn't prescribe anything and suggested I go to a Nutritionist to be sorted out knowing I'd been. (They don't like it when you go to them). These blood results don't take into consideration the optimal ranges which could be different for different people or their symptoms.

[Clutter in reply to eddie1952]

Eddie1952,

Can you confirm whether FT3 is 3.7 or 2.4 as you posted in your opening post?

TSH 1.42, FT4 15.68 and FT3 3.7 are euthyroid (normal) levels for someone not taking Levothyroxine. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 14.56 are negative for autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's).

There is no such thing as an optimal range. The lab reference ranges are determined by the analysis machine used in the lab and a mean average of local population results.

[eddie1952 in reply to Clutter]

Hi

Medichecks says FT3 is 3.7 pmol/ but the international hormone society info says if it's less than 2.79 its in the lowest tertile. my 3.7 pmol converted to pg/ml comes to 2.4 which obviously is below their lowest. It says a study with a suggestion that a healthy serum free T3 should be above the lower tertile (33%) and preferably in the upper tertile (33%) of the ref. range in postmenopausal women (I am), otherwise the risk of breast cancer may be highly increased.

[Clutter in reply to eddie1952]

Eddie1952,

There is no universal range. You need to use the range applicable to your results. FT3 3.7 is within range and although it is low in range is still 'normal'. This is the first time I've heard that having low FT3 increases the risks of breast cancer in post menopausal women. If that was true I think FT3 in post menopausal women would be routinely tested whereas FT3 is rarely tested in primary care.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you diagnosed as having thyroid disease or on Thyroid replacement

What about vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 - have these been tested

If you are in UK can't get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw or

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after.

[eddie1952 in reply to SlowDragon]

I saw a Nutritionist who suggested B12 and thyroid testing. B12 active suggests normal with NHS but my private 'active' one suggests I need more testing for the MMA as B12 may not be getting into the cells or poorly absorbed. NHS don't want to know about other results apart from theirs. GP not really interested but suggested I see my Nutritionist to sort me out! Said I can't afford it any more. Ive been on Vit D for years and Nutritionist told me to go on K2 and 2 probiotics. Im on very high Vit C powder (amla amla) and put myself on magnesium and selenium. She wont test me for minerals. All my vitamins supposedly are normal but not seen the results. My Rheumatologist did all the tests including peripheral neuropathy but all back normal. My TSH is 1.42 mIU/L (.27-4.20), Free T4 15.68 mol/L (12-22), Total T4 102.8 nmol/L (59 - 154), Free T3 3.7 pmol/L (3.1-6.8) antibody less than 10 (0.00 - 115), peroxidase antibodies 14.56 (0.00 - 34) all normal. Ferritin 112 (normal) folate 10.4 (2.7 0 18.8). calcium normal. Ive used Medichecks

[melodie]

Hi Eddie1952,

Thanks for your article link on hydroxycobalamin. Very useful.

Form what I’ve read on American sites, the recommendation is to directly treat the virus with a cycle of natural antivirals, and hope the rest of your symptoms settle down. Dried elderberries simmered with water worked really well for virus-like symptoms for me for instance.

Wishing you well