Get to normal

[Coxmaggie]

This is my first posting. I have been on a combination of t4 100 mcg t3 20mcg and 200 mcg of selenium now for 6 months. My blood work has improved but not much in the normal range. T4 total 5 (4.5-11.7) t3 total 1.2 (.9-1.8), t4free 1.1(.6-1.6) TSH.03 (.34-5.6). Any suggestions as to how to increase my results into the normal range?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Coxmaggie The only thing not in range is your TSH, everything else is within range. When you use T3 it usual for TSH to be low or even suppressed, and FT4 is often lower in range. It's the FT3 result that is important and you don't have that. Total T4 and total T3 don't tell us anything very useful.

How do you feel on your current doses? If you feel well then nothing needs to change.

[Coxmaggie in reply to SeasideSusie]

Three months ago my t3free was 2.16 (2.3-4.2)

[greygoose]

The only thing, as Susie says, that isn't in-range, is your TSH. And, that doesn't matter. Once you are on thyroid hormone replacement - levo, T3 - it is irrelevant unless it goes high.

An FT3 taken three months ago, isn't very helpful. It should be done every time, because it's the only helpful number, when taking T3. But, if it's still low, then increasing your dose of T3 will raise your FT3.

Just a thought, you don't take your selenium at the same time as your levo and T3, do you?

[Coxmaggie in reply to greygoose]

Yes, in the morning 1/2 hour or more before breakfast

[greygoose in reply to Coxmaggie]

An hour before would be much, much better. If you don't leave long enough, it reduces your absorption of levo.

When do you take the selenium?

[Coxmaggie]

I take it at the same time

[fibrolinda in reply to Coxmaggie]

Don't take it at the same time.... the ONLY thing you should take with Levo is a glass of water

[Coxmaggie]

Thank you for that info

[Coxmaggie]

I’m curious if anyone has experienced their t3total not responding to t4 only treatment. My numbers have been fine since 2008 but after breast cancer and radiation in 2013, my numbers have been below normal except the tsh. Stated treatment in 2015 with 25 mcg of t4 and no response from the t3.

Finally started a combo of 100mcg t4 and 20 mcg t3 with selenium that has started the recovery. My original post was how I can get the numbers more in the middle of normal, but perhaps the suggestions of changing when I take the meds will help.

My question to the group is if anyone else has experienced their thyroid decreasing from radiation therapy (my left side)?