T3

[TracyJackson123]

I have had a thyroidectomy - gained 7stone in 10 years - finding it impossible to shed the extra weight....

I'm sure there's millions just like me!

Will taking extra T3 help? If so, where is a good place to buy it please?

Thank you

[greygoose]

Taking 'extra' T3 might help, if you need it. Taking 'excess' T3 might make you put on even more weight.

It would help us help you if you posted your latest lab results - with ranges - and told us how much you're taking of what.

[TracyJackson123 in reply to greygoose]

Ok thank you very much. I take 125mg levothyroxine and my T3 level was 1.6 at my last blood test

[shaws Administrator in reply to TracyJackson123]

When we have blood tests for thyroid hormones, it has to be the very earliest appointment, fasting (you can drink water) and also allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges. Ranges are important and enable members to respond. Ask surgery for a print-out and some charge a nominal sum for paper/ink. We are entitled and keep them for your own records and you can post if you have a query.

TSH should be 1 or lower and Free T4 and Free T3 should be in the upper part of the range. These two are rarely tested. Ask GP to also test B12, vit D, iron, ferritin and folate at next blood test.

You can get a private blood test for a Full Thyroid Function Test from one of our two recommended labs or for ones they GP wont do. They are home pin-prick tests and make sure you are well hydrated a couple of days before.

Medichecks and Blue Horizon do them.

[greygoose in reply to TracyJackson123]

Do you have a range for that FT3? The results are meaningless without the ranges.

Also, do you have an FT4 results (and range) to see how well you're converting. It could just be that you're under-medicated, because 125 mcg isn't a very high dose.

[shaws Administrator]

This is a past post which you will find astonishing.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.

Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor

please email Dionne:
[e-mail]

Prof Toft - article just published now saying T3 is likely essential for many - note especially what he says about not wanting to offer thyroidectomy or RAI to patients as they are so inadequately treated afterwards

rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...

For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

Post results and ranges if you have them

If not See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3

Private tests are available

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.

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

[TracyJackson123 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for all that info I am trying to get an apointment with my dr ASAP - not easy!!

[Hidden]

I had a TT two years ago and haven't gained any weight yet. NDT or T3 is the way to go.

[SilverAvocado]

I gained6 stone during my TT and cancer treatment Some lucky beggars don't gain any

If you're consistently gaining, that is a symptom of being hypothyroid, so a dose increase may stop it.

T3 is the active hormone. Theoretically your body will take the T4 in Levothyroxine and convert it into the active form as we need it. But when we're ill this often doesn't work so well, and sometimes not having a thyroid makes it more difficult - a healthy thyroid makes some T3 as well as mostly T4.

Unfortunately it's very difficult to get T3 on the NHS at the moment It might be that all you need is an increase of Levo, though, as doctors are notoriously stingy with it and often keep people undermedicated. Another option is to buy your own from overseas and self medicate. Many people on the forum do this.

[TracyJackson123 in reply to SilverAvocado]

Thank you very much for your reply I am trying to see my Dr now i have more info - but that's easier said than done!!

[SilverAvocado in reply to TracyJackson123]

Hopefully people above have told you to get your blood test resukts and post them in this thread, or if it takes you a few weeks to get hold of them make a new thread so lots of people will see it.

If you can't get a full thyroid panel including ranges from your doctor, consider getting a mail order finger prick test. You'll need to get these regularly if you start self medicating T3 anyway, so it's not wasted.