T3 supplements

[Amandast]

My recent blood tests showed my T3 to be 3.8, supposedly ‘normal’ in a range of 3.5-6.5. However this site states a range of 4-8. The doctor has told me the NHS won’t supply T3 as it’s too expensive. Where can I source this? My hair has been falling out for months so I would like to try it.

[Nanaedake]

Many thyroid patients feel better when TSH is nearer to 1. In addition, hair loss may be partly due to nutritional deficiency, vitamins and minerals. Ask your doctor to test

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Vitamin D

All need to be mid-range and B12 near top of range for us to function well. You could take up to 1000mcg vitamin C a day.

[Amandast]

Thanks, however I take Patrick Holford’s Optimum Nutrition supplements. My TSH is 0.71 and T4 17.5.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Amandast]

Amanda

Your multi supplement won't help. They are generally unbalanced, contain the cheapest and least absorbable form of ingredients, and yours contains iron, calcium and iodine.

Iodine - should only be taken if tested and found to be deficient, and then under the supervision of an experienced practioner.

Calcium - should only be taken if tested and found to be deficient

Iron - means nothing else can be absorbed as it needs to be taken at least 2 hours away from other supplements. Also, the fact that your supplement contains calcium means that even the iron won't work.

Best to test as suggested and supplement where needed.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Amanda

Whatever any site or anyone else's post says the range is, the only range that is appropriate is the one that your lab uses. So if your result was 3.8 with a range of 3.5-6.5 then that is your range and you are just within it, you can't use a range from a different lab and consider yourself out of range.

However, you are very low in your range, but what is your TSH and FT4, very important to get the whole picture before you jump in and take T3. Also, vitamins and minerals need to be at optimal levels, so you need those testing as Nanaedake has mentioned.

T3 isn't a magic cure for hair loss.

Hair loss can be due to other things as well.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

"Normal ferritin levels for women are between 12 and 150 ng/mL. According to some experts, Ferritin levels of at least 40 ng/ml are required to stop hair loss, while levels of at least 70 ng/ml are needed for hair regrowth. The optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is between 90-110 ng/ml."

Other interesting hairloss articles worth reading:

hypothyroidmom.com/10-thing...

healdove.com/disease-illnes...

[jezebel69]

The addition of T3 never made any difference to my hair loss - in fact I had the worse shedding after the introduction of it. Taking zinc seemed to make a difference but probably being 30 years younger might work.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have high thyroid antibodies? This is Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease

Highly likely to have low vitamin levels. Post your most recent results and ranges for vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

As others have said, low ferritin or low zinc can be responsible for hair loss. T3 can make it worse.

Essential to get vitamins optimum first.

Most multivitamins are too little and have iodine in, best avoided unless definitely confirmed by testing and specialist in iodine

If you have Hashimoto's then looking at gut, gluten and improving gut biome will help

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...

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

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

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Other things to help heal gut lining

Bone broth

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Probiotics

carolinasthyroidinstitute.c...

Importance of magnesium

hypothyroidmom.com/two-vita...

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. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

Link about antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime

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

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.