I've been on Levo since January, initially, I felt better on taking it but a few months in and I feel terribly low in mood and I still can't lose weight whatever I do.
TSH 1.080 (0.3-4.5)
FT3 3.80 (1.5-4.2)
FT4 1.61 (0.9-1.9)
My Ferritin, folate and Vitamin D levels are now all optimal
I always thought that you would know if rt3 levels were high as you would have low T3. Is it possible to have the results above and yet have an rt3 problem and hence a problem with losing weight?
Thanks for you help
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Starlight1976
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rT3 does not cause problems with losing weight. It doesn't cause any symptoms. But, yes, you can have high rT3 for non-thyroidal reasons. Things like long-term Beta-Blocker use, physical injury, infections like flu, kidney or liver problems, etc.
Thanks for the information. In your opinion do you think I have a conversion problem or not? I literally don't know what to do about this weight. I'm exercising regularly, but not too much, I'm eating a good diet but not restricting calories too much as apparently this is the thing to do. I can't afford to have cortisol checked but am trying to control stress, get sleep and taking ashwaghanda. I really don't know what else to do. I dread to think what this excess weight is doing for y health, it feels like a ticking time bomb.
No, I don't think you have a conversion problem. But, perhaps you're one of those that needs their FT3 higher.
Restricting calories and over-exercising can affect conversion but this doesn't appear to be your problem.
But, why are you taking Ashwagandha? It's an adaptogen, I know, and supposed to regulate hormones, but a lot of people find that in practice, it can lower cortisol.
I'm not sure I agree with you that your weight is a ticking time bomb. Doctors are always trying to scare the life out of us about what can happen when you're over-weight. But, many people live long and happy lives with excess weight. I'm not convinced it's the most important factor.
Yes, I think so. But, I very much doubt your doctor would agree!
This is my reasoning: Your FT4 is good, and you are converting well BUT it is possible that your FT3 is still not high enough for you as an individual - some of us need higher levels. However, if you increase your levo, it will reach a level where it will convert to more rT3 than T3, so instead of increasing, your FT3 will drop slightly. Therefore, to find out if you do need a higher level of FT3, it would be better to add in a little T3. Adding in the T3 will cause your FT4 to drop, but that's OK, and will probably suppress your TSH, too. But, that's also ok. And, your FT3 will rise. But, getting a GP to even understand that will be difficult.
Have you had your nutrients tested - vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin?
My Vitamin D is now optimal but it was horribly low when I was diagnosed. I had really low b12 so had treatment for that and no point testing as I now had shots every three months so would give false results. My folate was 13.5 and ferritin around 70.
I am currently on 100mcg of Levothyroxine and my GP will never allow me to try T3 but I am prepared to self source. I've got relatives in Turkey and you can buy it over the counter there. I would be prepared to try a small amount like 5mcg.
I've read that you need to adjust the Levo if you introduce T3?
Your ferritin could be higher, but what is your serum iron like?
If you have B12 shots every 3 months, do you take a B complex every day? All the Bs need to be balanced because they all work together.
I don't think this person on the other forum has quite understood how it would all work. I explained to you my reasons for thinking adding T3 would be beneficial even though you convert well. I imagine she's thinking that adding too much T3 would be dangerous, but that would be true no matter how well or badly you converted. It's not dangerous per se, it depends on levels.
As to your levo, should you reduce it or not? I would say no. Your FT4 is a reasonable level - if it were high I would say reduce, but yours isn't that high, and taking T3 will reduce the level, anyway. So, stick to your 100 mcg for now, and see how it goes.
I need to have an updated Serum iron done as I don't currently know what the levels are. I'm taking a B complex daily. Thanks for the clarification your description of T3 was my understanding also but she made me question myself.
One last question (I promise), I understand that you notice the effects of T3 quite quickly. If I had an adverse reaction of a small dose how is it most likely to manifest? Palpitations and anxiety?
Well, I don't know. How quickly is 'quite quickly'? It's faster than levo, which takes at least six weeks to feel the full effects. But, don't expect to feel anything in a couple of hours. Some people might, but not everyone by any means, because we're all different. And, so would the symptoms be different. You might feel palpitations and anxiety, but both of those can be symptoms of under-medication, so not at all conclusive. Racing heart, maybe, but I think anything else would take a while to manifest. Even racing heart could just be temporary. But, there's no reason to think you will have an adverse reaction - certainly not instantly.
Don't forget that the hormone won't have any effect until it gets into the cells, and that takes time. I know doctors like to denigrate T3 by talking about instant highs, etc. but in reality, that's rarely true, if ever.
I would agree with greygoose on B12 injections it's often beneficial to also take good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be most beneficial.
B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast
Recommended brands on here are Igennus Super B complex. (Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks ).
Or Jarrow B-right is popular choice, but is large capsule
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
Only change one thing at a time. Perhaps add vitamin B complex first
Then consider trying small dose of T3
You will need to retest thyroid level 6-8 weeks after adding T3
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw). This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test
What about ferritin levels? Got any recent results?
Thanks Slow Dragon, I don't have any current Ferriton levels, they were about 66 at the time of diagnosis. I've been trying to eat more iron rich food since then, I also take dessicated liver although I've read from other users that this has not impacted their iron at all.
I just wanted to say thank you to both of you for your advice re T3. I have been taking 5mcg for the last week and my brain fog and fatigue lifted within the hour. This is having a massive impact on my motivation which I am so happy about. I felt before like I was sliding down a dark tunnel of depression. I still have a bit of an energy slump in the afternoon but manageable. In the future, I would like to consider adding 5mcg in the afternoon so that I can try and sustain the energy and mental clarity to get through the working day. The incredible thing about this is that based on my blood tests most Doctors would say that there was no way that I needed T3, my conversion was fine etc. Thanks once again x
Yes, but most doctors know nothing about T3, thyroid or hormones in general. I'm glad to hear it's helping. But, I would wait another week before increasing the dose.
Thanks for that Greygoose. Do you think that if I wanted to add in another 5mcg in the PM it would be ok to do so without lowering my Levo? I plan to do private blood tests in around 6 weeks and could wait until the results of that to add the 5mg....or just add it and monitor reaction.
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