RT3

[High_Valour]

All

Does anyone have any knowledge of RT3?

I have had my thyroid stats taken again (details below) but I am a little confused by my RT3 position. The details are:

FT3 5.86 (3.10-6.80) / RT3 20 (10-24) / Ratio 19.08

I have been advised that this is fine and in range. However, I am concerned that my RT3 is actually high (20) and that this is actually being masked due to my FT3 level (5.86). I understand that the ratio should be over 20 and so I am not entirely sure whether I should be concerned with a ratio slightly lower of 19.08.

What is the normal ratio for a healthy person for FT3/RT3 and is RT3 of 20 actually high?

My other stats were:

TSH 1.04 (0.27-4.20) / FT4 16.6 (12-22) / TT4 98.2 (59-154) / antibodies = fine

vD 110 (50-200), Ferritin 352 (30-400), aB12 197 (25-165)

I would be certain that my GP wouldn't entertain a prescription for T3 to lower my RT3 (and therefore increase my ratio) based on the above. How does one therefore reduce RT3 and increase a ratio naturally without prescription?

I am battling with hypothyroid symptoms despite the above and I wonder whether my RT3 is actually an issue here.

Many Thanks.

Merry Christmas to all.

HV

[Kell-E]

This is a good resource...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/r...

Your ratio is decent. (they want it 20 or over)

But then again they say if RT3 is higher than 11 it may indicate a problem.

[Kell-E]

Oh, and you can source your own T3 or NDT without a prescription.

[Clutter]

High_Valour,

According to this link rT3 ratio is no more an indicator of good health than TSH level is.

tiredthyroid.com/rt3-3.html

[greygoose]

Taking T3 doesn't lower rT3 unless you reduce your T4 at the same time. It will change the ratio, but so what. Ratios are for healthy people, they have little significance for hypos. And rT3 is a bit of a red herring. I wouldn't waste my time on it, if I were you. Concentrate on getting your FT3 to a place that makes you feel well.

You don't appear to have a conversion problem, so all you need to do to raise your FT3, is raise your levo. Some people would be well with the level of FT3 you have, but if you need it higher, then you need it higher.

It's possible that some of your symptoms are due to low nutrients, which most hypos have. So, if you haven't already done so, it would be a good idea to get your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested. Low B12, for example, causes a lot of hypo-like symptoms. And, if your nutrients are optimal, your thyroid hormone will work better.

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

Be aware that recent research has disproved some of the things mentioned in the STTM link above.

[Marz]

healthunlocked.com/search/r...

The above link takes you to over 3,000 posts concerning rT3 on this forum. I found these posts by using the Search Thyroid UK box. Hopefully some info to help you ....

[High_Valour]

Thanks everyone

[SlowDragon Administrator]

BEFORE Seeing any endocrinologist, but especially if paying privately we ALWAYS Recommend getting FULL thyroid and vitamin testing

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking and what vitamin supplements?

Do you have Hashimoto’s?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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

For thyroid including antibodies and vitamins

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

Come back with new post once you get results and members can advise on next steps

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you had full testing since these results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Not had BOTH TPO and TG antibodies tested

Many people only have high TG antibodies

You need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative