Still not sure whether my T3 is OK ....

[BlueMoon65]

Hello again,

Am about to get an echocardiogram and a CATscan on my heart, but whilst awaiting reporting on these, I intend to get more bloods done privately, as am unsure whether my cardiac symptoms are simply a result of undermedication.

Forgive me being obtuse, but could anyone comment on these tests for me, please? This is the first time I have been screened after fasting and no Levo for 24 hours.

Serum free triiodothyronine Level 4.0 pmol/L [3.5 - 6.5]

Serum free T4 Level 19.0 pmol/L [9.0-23.0]

Serum TSH Level Below range 0.11 miu/L [0.25-5.0]

GP commented that these are ‘satisfactory’, on 75 mcg. (Previously been reduced in 8 weeks from 100mcg, down to 75, then 50, then 25 mcg, then persuaded GP to increase in two stages back to 75, due to severity of symptoms, as I have posted before).

Thanks so much...know I am being stupid, but I cannot work out whether my problem is conversion. Have never been tested for antibodies, so obviously this needs doing.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As GP left you very under treated, your vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 need testing

Thyroid antibodies need test too

Currently your conversion is not brilliant. How do you feel?

Getting vitamins optimal can help

What supplements do you take?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Serum free T4 Level 19.0 pmol/L [9.0-23.0]

Serum free triiodothyronine Level 4.0 pmol/L [3.5 - 6.5]

Ft4 is 71% through range, FT3 is 17% through range. Yes, you have a conversion problem.

Optimal nutrient levels can help with conversion, if Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin are optimal, and adrenals are OK, then you may need to consider adding T3 to Levo.

[BlueMoon65 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you...when you represent the results in that way, it makes so much sense. I am currently supplementing with D3, and took B vitamins for a few weeks, then stopped to observe changes (which now I write it down seems daft!). I have also started on a supplement comprising selenium, catalase, L-glutathione,superoxide dismutase and other antioxidants. Next stop Medichecks, I think!

[McPammy]

Hi. Sorry to hear you’re having these problems.

My T4 was at its highest and T3 low just within range. My new private Endocrinologist has just sent a letter to my GP to add T3 to my daily medication of T4 only currently. As I will probably have to wait a long time to get it approved by the NHS I’ve requested a private prescription for T3 and hope to have my medication by the end of this week. My conversion has been poor for at least a year and I have really struggled with weakness. Some days I just cannot walk. I too was under a cardiologist who recently said that I have no heart issues. Although I do think I may have a vascular issue brought on by far too low T3 not helping my circulation. This still needs to be confirmed. I’m really hoping that by introducing T3 soon and slowly that my symptoms will fade.

Also i have now got low cortisol but not sure if this will raise once treatment of T3 has begun. They do say that low cortisol should be dealt with first. I have had a synacthen test and my result was normal.

I would say looking at your bloods you are converting poorly same as me. Vitamins need to be optimal also to help T3 conversion.

Hope this helps.

P.

[BlueMoon65 in reply to McPammy]

Thanks so much...that is very helpful....

[RockyPath]

Your cardiac issues are most likely due to inadequate T3, caused by the poor conversion. The solution to poor conversion is taking T3.

You could test for antibodies, but they only test for the most common, overlooking 10% of the Hashimoto's population.

Testing for rT3 would also clarify for the GP that you aren't converting, as it's direct evidence.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to RockyPath]

Having high (or low) rT3 doesn't mean you are not converting. It can be high (or low) for lots of reasons and probably won't be high when free T4 is not over range. It's a red herring most of the time. DIO2 gene test would be more useful as "proof".