Can't raise t3

[hoalarg]

Since being on ndt (now on 3 grains since June last year) I have managed to reduce TSH to 1 from 8. But in that time my t3 has reduced by 0.1. I have checked all key areas, such as ferritin, b12 and d. I'

[Clutter]

Hoalarg,

What is your FT3 result and range?

[hoalarg in reply to Clutter]

FT3 4.3

Range 3.1-6.8

[Clutter in reply to hoalarg]

Hoalarg,

Most people on NDT need FT3 5.5 - 6.8 to feel well. You could increase dose

by 1/2 grain now and then in 1/4 grain increments until you are on 4 grains.

[hoalarg in reply to Clutter]

Thank you for your reply. I just thought after 8 months I would get some increase in t3. Somebody also mentioned the genetic 102 gene. If I had that would ndt be sufficient or would I need t3 only?

[Clutter in reply to hoalarg]

Hoalarg,

Your previously high TSH will have been flogging conversion of T3 and now that TSH is lower you need more NDT.

If you have the DIO2 gene impairment which impairs conversion the T3 in NDT will overcome it. There's no need to switch to T3 only.

[hoalarg in reply to Clutter]

Thanks very much. I will raise my ndt and see how that goes. My temperature is always consistently low. Can't seem to raise it.

[Clutter in reply to hoalarg]

Hoalarg,

It was more than two years after I was optimally dosed that I stopped feeling cold to the core. I've no idea whether my temperature changed. I got bored of buying thermometers that my dog stole and hid.

[hoalarg in reply to Clutter]

The only times I feel warm is in bed or in hot shower. Had this for over 20 yrs.

[Clutter in reply to hoalarg]

Hoalarg,

I still have cold hands and feet but I had that and was colder than friends and family long before I become hypothyroid.

[hoalarg]

One more thing. Would you recommend checking rt3?

[Jazzw in reply to hoalarg]

I wouldn’t bother, to be honest.

Out of interest, what are your FT4 levels?

[hoalarg in reply to Jazzw]

11.4 with range if 12-22

Janie, from STTM says important though.

[Jazzw in reply to hoalarg]

I don’t know whether that’s true - but that does confirm to me that an RT3 test is unnecessary. RT3 is made to get rid of surplus FT4 - you don’t have a surplus!

You could try taking a small dose of levo alongside your NDT rather than take additional NDT. That would probably boost your FT3, assuming your liver etc can convert the T4.

[hoalarg in reply to Jazzw]

Oh, so I would need a higher T4 to show that rt3 was taking place?