Reverse T3 Results Interpretation

[Ohc9]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me with interpreting my recent reverse t3 results.

My History- diagnosed with Hashimotos in 2015. GP prescribed levothyroxine increasing doses from 50mcg at first to eventually 200mcg daily. Symptoms worsened.

2017 - Started seeing a Private Doctor who lowered levo to 100mcg daily and added 25mcg liothyronine. Very slight improvement in symptoms.

2018 - New Private Doctor currently prescribing 2 1/2 grains NDT (Naturethroid) daily.

Symptoms still prevail.

B12 & Vitamin D both optimal. Have ordered Iron and Cortisol tests as I was reading on Stop the thyroid madness these can lead to pooling and cause continuing symptoms. I had previously taken hydrocortisone and cortisol levels were looking optimum but checking in case this has changed.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Ciara

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ohc9

Your rT3 looks perfect. However, even if it is raised, there are very many reasons for high rT3 that are not connected with thyroid, a test can tell you it's raised but not the reason for it. So really, it's a bit of a waste of time and money testing rT3.

What should be more of a concern is your very high FT3. When on NDT the FT3 result is the most important one and it's usual to keep FT3 in range, your current result suggests that you may be over medicated.

[Ohc9 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for your reply

I have booked an appointment with my Dr to talk about reducing to 2 grains daily. I was reading on Stop the thyroid madness that high t3 with continuing symptoms could be related to pooling. Would you know anything about this?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Ohc9]

Stop the thyroid madness is not a site I follow. I don't know anything about pooling so can't comment.

[Ohc9 in reply to SeasideSusie]

No worries thanks for your help

[greygoose in reply to Ohc9]

There's no such thing as pooling. The half-life of T4 is 7 days, so in 7 days you will have half of what you have today. It does not hang around and 'pool' for any reason. It is either converted or excreted. Same goes for T3, only the half-life is 24 hours, it does not hang around and 'pool', it either gets into the cells, is converted to T2 or excreted. Your FT3 is high because you are over-medicated.

[Ohc9 in reply to greygoose]

Thankyou for your reply I'm going to look into reducing my NDT dosage

[greygoose in reply to Ohc9]

You're welcome.

[kissemiss in reply to greygoose]

Signed!

[greygoose in reply to kissemiss]

Thank you.

[Peanut31 in reply to Ohc9]

Hi

As SeasideSusie has said your T3 is over range quite a bit.

Have you been getting some nasty symptoms with that?

I’m aware of STTM site, but they focused a lot on NDT only, saying its the answer to everything.

I’m on NDT and when I started getting nasty symptoms again I did a full thyroid and my T3 was over range, not as much as yours, but, over range.

I was on 2& 1/2 grains of NDT, so I reduced it by 1/4 grain still over range and symptoms, so I tried another 1/4 grain reduction.

The problem was with my NDT reduction this sent my T4 results below range, and new symptoms, so now I take 2 grains of NDT and I’m currently adding 12.5mcg of Levothyroxine every other day.

I’ve just took a full thyroid test this week to see my results as I’m getting there finally with my recovery.

When you did your blood test, did you leave the correct gap from taking your NDT?, 8-12 hours.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[Ohc9 in reply to Peanut31]

Thanks for your reply

I can't say I've noticed any new symptoms just the same lack of energy and constant tiredness. Maybe a little bit more anxiety which could be due to the high t3. When I first changed over to NDT I started with 2 grains and my t3 & t4 were both very low, so it's strange to me how they are now high.

Just when you mention leaving a gap of time before bloods I didn't think to do this, I had 1 grain in the morning and 1 grain maybe an hour or so before I took the bloods. Maybe this has skewed the reading.

[Peanut31 in reply to Ohc9]

Hi

Yes, this would give a false reading.

Best wishes

Peanut31