Another T3 Question..: Hi there, This is my first... - Thyroid UK

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Another T3 Question..

•

Hi there,

This is my first post- I apologise if this has been asked before but I really need some help.

For the last 3 years I have been having severe fatigue, skin, weight issues and despite having my thyroid tested many many times I have always been told that it is within range.

I have had a private blood test done which showed normal TSH, high-normal T4,

very low normal T3 and very high Reverse T3.

I have read a lot about RT3 and I certainly think that it explains so many of my symptoms (especially as all of this has come on the back of a serious eating disorder).

My question is:

I am not currently on any thyroid medication and I would like to keep it that way if possible. I have purchased some T3 only medication and was thinking of taking it for a few months to see if I can rebalance the T3 conversion.

The thing is, I am very worried about screwing up my thyroid completely by doing this

Has anybody else done this? Has it worked? If i do this, will I end up reliant on medication for good?

Or has anybody had a similar problem to me and managed to solve it sans medication?

Any help is appreciated

Thanks x

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16 Replies

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shaws7 years ago

If you have a copy of your blood test results with the ranges would be very helpful to post them for members to respond.

The reason being - if you are in the UK - that doctors have been told not to diagnose until the TSH is 10 whereas in other parts of the world people are diagnosed when it goes above 3.

If someone is going to self-medicate, they first of all have to have a diagnosis which is with clinical symptoms along with blood tests.

Did you have your private blood test at the very earliest possible?

This is a link of clinical symptoms:-

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

• in reply toshaws7 years ago

Hi there,

Thanks for getting back to me.

My TSH is (1.8)

Total T4 (115.8)

FT4 (19.26)

FT3 (3.1)

RT3 (31 ng/dL)- marked as high

RT3 ratio (7.56 ) - marked as low

And TPO antibodies (105) - marked as high

Thank you for the link- i do have about 75% of those symptoms.

Any thoughts would be appreciated

christa17 years ago

hi curious mind,

if I was 40 years younger I would think like you, keep my thyroid working well, without medication.

maybe, someone will give you a link to thyroid support meds....

better would be to get your antibodies tested.

if you have high antibodies, that will be a whole differend kettle of fish!

please, give us your test results with the ranges, (numbers in brackets behind your result)

• in reply tochrista17 years ago

Hi there,

Thanks for getting back to me.

My TSH is (1.8)

Total T4 (115.8)

FT4 (19.26)

FT3 (3.1)

RT3 (31 ng/dL)- marked as high

RT3 ratio (7.56 ) - marked as low

And TPO antibodies (105) - marked as high

Had the TPO repeated on the NHS. They have basically said watch and wait before we medicate.

Any thoughts would be appreciated

librarian18• in reply to7 years ago

If your TPO antibodies are high it means you have an auto immune attack on your thyroid, called hashimotos thyroiditis. Go to the thryoidpharmacists website by Izabella Wentz.

• in reply tolibrarian187 years ago

Hi there,

My doctor has said that the antibodies are not high enough to do anything about just yet so I'm not really sure what to make of them.

Thanks for the info- I will look into that asap

greygoose• in reply tochrista17 years ago

Taking T3 won't keep your thyroid working well. It will have no effect on your thyroid. Thyroid 'support' supplements rarely 'support', they stimulate, so not a good idea.

christa17 years ago

I don't really understand your bloods

TSH 1.8 ( range )

total T4 115.8 ( range )

the range is needed, as differend machines found in differend ways, also, it is a differend range in differend country's.

Kell-E7 years ago

You would probably do better to correct bad conversion if possible. Things like iron, B12, folate, selenium, etc. If all of those are optimal you may need T3, but it won't be temporary.

• in reply toKell-E7 years ago

Hi,

Thanks for the response. I think you are right- I would prefer to correct the conversion before trying medication

Rosierebel7 years ago

I was like this for 6 yrs before finally going onto thyroid medication. At the time I didn't know a lot about thyroid problems, now I would try a good thyroid boost. Dr Peatfield 's books on thyroid give a lot of information on what to take, I also take Co Enzyme Q10 300 mg. which he recommends in his books, apparently this is the best dose.

• in reply toRosierebel7 years ago

Hi there,

Thank you for your reply. Thanks for the book recommendation- I will look into that asap.

I would like to support my thyroid as much as possible before it becomes more of a problem.

Thanks again

Rosierebel• in reply toRosierebel7 years ago

Yes agree Co Enzyme Q 10 is really good. It was recommended to me years ago and then that was confirmed in Dr Peatfield's books to take it. I read some years ago as well that the best dose is 300 mg even though you can get stronger, there was a report that checked it out and said that this was the best dose. That is the dose I take. But like everything people will have other ideas.

silverfox77 years ago

I had a conversion problem though t wastakibg levo butvi got Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin tested and I think I had 3 low ones so I supplemental. They have to becoptimail not just in the range. It took me5 months to address the balance but that depends on how low you are. I was then very stable but I had always wanted to go back to NDT which I did easily once my thyroid converting well.

SCJGL7 years ago

All those tests are important but can sometime be incorrect. You know your body better than any Dr. TSH level can change within an hour of testing. T3 & T4 can be normal & TSH high. I went through testing but all blood testing should be done if you feel that it is adequate. Thyroid controls every cell in our body & there is much controversy among doctors about thyroid. I had every symptom but was not given medication until all my body hair fell out & my cholesterol shot up. Then Dr stumbled across nodules because I lost my breath. A thyroid problem cannot be self cured. Do your research and have all the tests, if you must visit the lab yourself. You can go to the lab & have your own tests. T3, T4, Ft3, Ft4, thyroid Antibodies, etc. Then you can go to doctor prepared. Also research what vitamins & minerals affect thyroid function & balance. You are your best Ally when it comes to a thyroid disorder. Educate yourself first & foremost.