I can’t remember if I’ve read about this before (my memory is dreadful these days!) but I just came across this article;
custommedicine.com.au/healt...
Is this something worth considering/a genuine thing?
The tests I’ve paid for will include the RT3 test (they still aren’t back yet) but the tests the endo did didn’t include this. I have a follow up appointment with him today so wondered if it was worth mentioning?
Thanks
Abi
There is some misconception about RT3 but this extract below is by a scientist/researcher who was also Adviser to TUK before his death. He didn't agree with Dr Wilson's view. I am also aware that many who aren't improving look for reasons why - I did myself.
This following is an excerpt which might be helpful in understanding that it is T4 which converts RT3 and then to T3 and it is normal process when we take levo only:-
"Dr. Lowe: Some readers will not be familiar with reverse-T3, and I know from experience that many others harbor misconceptions about the molecule. Because of this, I have summarized in the box below what we know about reverse-T3. I've answered your question below the summary.
Conversion of T4 to T3 and Reverse-T3: A Summary
The thyroid gland secretes mostly T4 and very little T3. Most of the T3 that drives cell metabolism is produced by action of the enzyme named 5'-deiodinase, which converts T4 to T3. (We pronounce the "5'-" as "five-prime.")
Without this conversion of T4 to T3, cells have too little T3 to maintain normal metabolism; metabolism then slows down. T3, therefore, is the metabolically active thyroid hormone. For the most part, T4 is metabolically inactive. T4 "drives" metabolism only after the deiodinase enzyme converts it to T3.
Another enzyme called 5-deiodinase continually converts some T4 to reverse-T3. Reverse-T3 does not stimulate metabolism. It is produced as a way to help clear some T4 from the body.
Under normal conditions, cells continually convert about 40% of T4 to T3. They convert about 60% of T4 to reverse-T3. Hour-by-hour, conversion of T4 continues with slight shifts in the percentage of T4 converted to T3 and reverse-T3. Under normal conditions, the body eliminates reverse-T3 rapidly. Other enzymes quickly convert reverse-T3 to T2 and T2 to T1, and the body eliminates these molecules within roughly 24-hours. (The process of deiodination in the body is a bit more complicated than I can explain in this short summary.) The point is that the process of deiodination is dynamic and constantly changing, depending on the body's needs."
Thank you that’s helpful to understand how it works or rather should work under normal conditions. Does he also disagree then that conversion process and elimination process can fall out of sync in adnormal conditions as this article suggests? Presumably if other conversion processes can get confused this could too?
Thank you
Abi
I cannot answer your question as Dr L died and his website was withdrawn so I am limited to what I have in the archived site.
I do know he only diagnosed upon a blood test but thereafter took none and it was all about how the patients' symptoms being resolved through either NDT or T3. He would never prescribe levo. He was also an expert in Thyroid Hormone Resistance.
You might find this link of interest :
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
The idea that Reverse T3 blocks T3 receptors doesn't stand up to scrutiny.
It’s seems like another thing where there are different opinions and both think they have evidence to support it! I’m finding a lot of things like that on my search for a diagnosis! Hey ho, it all makes for interesting reading!
Thank you for your response and info 😀
Abi
I think it's not so much people having different opinions, as new research coming in showing that the old way of thinking was wrong. But, not everybody is up-to-date with the latest research. 
Good point I’ve just noticed one of those was pretty old I will remember to check the dates on things I’m reading! 😀
Free T3 vs Reverse T3...sigh
