T4/T3 conversion getting better: Hi all 🌸 I have... - Thyroid UK

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T4/T3 conversion getting better

Elisabetho profile image
Elisabetho
•14 Replies

Hi all 🌸

I have been on 20 mcg T3, in addition to 150 mcg T4, due to a problem with converting from T4 to T3.

After being on the Amy Myers’ auto immune diet for one month, I have reduced to 5 mcg just before bed.

I am curious if anyone else has had a similar experience. I thought conversion was a permanent problem.

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Elisabetho profile image
Elisabetho
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14 Replies
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greygoose profile image
greygoose

Do you mean you've reduced T3 from 20 mcg to 5 mcg? In one go? Why did you feel you needed to do that? Did you get a blood test before reducing?

Elisabetho profile image
Elisabetho in reply to greygoose

No, first I reduced to 15, then 10 and now 5.

I have been feeling over medicated. High body temperature, problems sleeping, racing pulse, anxiety. I only now feel normal.

No, I have not had any blood tests done - am due for some next week.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Elisabetho

If you feel better, that's all that matters, but you will only be able to tell if your conversion has improved by going back to T4 only for six weeks, and then testing your FT4 and FT3 together. But, frankly, I rather doubt it. Do you have high antibodies?

Elisabetho profile image
Elisabetho in reply to greygoose

My antibodies have been going down slowly, but I didn’t get the TPO test last time. I will ask for it next time.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Elisabetho

Doesn't matter about your antibodies going down. If they were ever high, it means you have Hashi's. And Hashi's doesn't go away, no matter what the antibodies do. Even if they disappeared completely, you would still have Hashi's. And Hashi's people tend to be poor converters, and there's not much you can do about it, I'm afraid.

Elisabetho profile image
Elisabetho in reply to greygoose

Thanks greygoose. It makes sense, but I guess I will just have to continue on the 5 mcg and increase when needed.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Elisabetho

Well, the point is, when you have Hashi's, levels go up and down. As the thyroid is destroyed by the immune system, excess hormone is dumped into the blood stream, so your FT4/3 rise. But, then they go down again. So, eventually, you will doubtless need to increase your T3 again. :)

Elisabetho profile image
Elisabetho in reply to greygoose

Yes, it does fluctuate, that’s why its so difficult to find the «correct» dose.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Elisabetho

Well, that's the problem all Hashi's people have. But, it does help to understand why if you know you have Hashi's, which is why I asked. It's not that your conversion has improved, it's just that you have more T3 in your system, due to a Hashi's 'hyper' swing.

Knowing you have Hashi's, you should be aware that these swings are going to happen, and act accordingly. And, you know that it's not possible to find the 'correct' dose, because levels are going to fluctuate and you just have to go with the flow, and not obsess about it, or freak out when you find your levels have changed. That's the point. :)

eeng profile image
eeng

I have read that if nutrient levels are low (Iron, Ferritin, B12, D and Folate particularly) then the body struggles to convert FT4 to FT3. Addressing any deficiencies would, I assume, improve conversion. Some people don't convert because of the D102 gene, so that would be permanent.

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to eeng

DI02 gene one faulty not both does it mean that I must be only on t3 ?

eeng profile image
eeng in reply to Ari3

You could read this: thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin.... I think it doesn't mean you need T3 only, but that a compination of T3 and T4 might suit you better than T4 alone.

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to eeng

Can’t open file says error

eeng profile image
eeng in reply to Ari3

go to thyroiduk.org.uk, click on 'about testing' on the left hand panel, choose

DIO2 (Deiodinase 2 Gene) Gene Test. I don't know why copying and pasting the link didn't work.

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