Looking to get T3

[Sofia1213]

OCT 17

TSH 6.2 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 13.9 (12 - 22)

Free T3 2.6 (3.1 - 6.8)

Hi new here looking to get T3 based on above results. Taking 200mcg levo which I take a few hours before/after food and drink and I was diagnosed 2013 thankyou

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You are very under medicated to have TSH so high

Why will GP not increase dose?

200mcg is quite a high dose? But some people do just need high dose

Or you may not be absorbing Levo very well

Do you have high thyroid antibodies? If you do this is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's. Essential to know. If not been tested get it done by GP

Poor gut function and low stomach acid are common

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Low stomach acid can be an issue

Lots of posts on here about how to improve with Apple cider vinegar or Betaine HCL

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/hypochl...

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

Other things to help heal gut lining

Bone broth

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Probiotics

carolinasthyroidinstitute.c...

[Sofia1213 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thyroid peroxidase antibody 476 (<34)

Thyroglobulin antibody 388.3 (<115)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sofia1213]

Very definitely Hashimoto's.

So you may have low stomach acid stopping absorption

As well as trying Apple cider vinegar or Betaine HCL with your meals (read up about both options)

You may find you might help improve Levothyroxine uptake if you take levo with some soluble vitamin C (ascorbic acid powder)

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/246...

Are you being investigated for coeliac? Only reliable test is endoscopy. You have to eat high gluten level for about 6 weeks beforehand

But the vast majority of Hashimoto's patients need to be strictly gluten free anyway, so is it worth the hassle?

Taking your Levothyroxine at bedtime may also be better

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Essential to get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested ASAP

With Hashimoto's these are often extremely low and stop Levo working

Post results and ranges on new post when you get them

[Sofia1213 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks yes being tested for coeliac disease

[Sofia1213 in reply to SlowDragon]

I have vitamin and mineral results now I will post them

[jimh111]

Have you tried to find out why your fT4 is rather low when on 200 mcg. It suggests you are not absorbing it well. Do you have any gastrointestinal condition? I would ask for an increase in your levothyroxine to see if you can get your fT4 up before asking for liothyronine which is difficult to get. The reason being is that it's easier to titrate with levothyroxine (interpret blood tests) but more important you can see how you do on an adequate dose of levothyroxine, it will be useful information for the future. Avoid coffee within an hour of taking levothyroxine.

[Sofia1213 in reply to jimh111]

I don't drink caffeine and I have gastrointestinal symptoms which I think should be investigated

[shaws Administrator]

There's something not quite right with your results. Both your FT3 and FT4 are too low.

I am not sure what you mean by "which I take a few hours before/after food and drink". Do you not have a set time each day to take one dose, or do you split doses?

[Sofia1213 in reply to shaws]

I take the meds each morning and I don't split dose

[shaws Administrator in reply to Sofia1213]

Thanks. Food can interfere with the uptake of thyroid hormones.

[mistydog]

Some doctors think 200mcg is high but it's not if you need it. I would ask for a raise, you should have a TSH of 1 or less, really, if you are on medication.