Is T3 effective for people with DI02 gene?

[brading]

I'm new here, and looking for help fora relative diagnosed with Hashimoto's April '18, tested heterozygous for DI02 gene, now on 175 mg Levothyroxine and feeling only partly better. Energy levels still below normal, so gets very tired. Has anyone in a similar situation experienced improvement on T3, either on its own or in combination with T4?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So if they have Hashimoto's low vitamin levels are extremely common and need regular testing and frequently improving to optimal levels to improve symptoms

Vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin need testing, have these been done at all? These need to be at OPTIMAL levels. Please add recent results

Can you add most recent blood test results for TSH, FT3 and FT4, plus vitamins if you have them

Is your relative had coeliac blood test?

If result was negative, have they tried strictly gluten free diet?

Many of us find gluten issue also needs addressing if adding small doses of T3 are to be successful

[radd]

brading,

Welcome to our forum,

Medicating T3 alone will need much further investigation but many members (including myself) have found well-being by adding a little T3 to their T4.

There are many reasons why thyroid hormone replacement doesn't work, so if your relative provides her thyroid hormone test results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets), members will comment.

[MaisieGray]

Is T3 effective for people with DI02 gene?

Just to clarify for you, in case it ever needs to be discussed with a Dr, we all have the DIO2 gene. What your relative has tested heterozygous positive for, is one or other polymorphism ie a common variation of the gene. That isn't a diagnosis of anything, and in fact the majority of polymorphisms are silent, meaning they do not alter the function or expression of the gene; but where the variation is expressed, the effect may be minimal or may be greater than that. And of course, it depends which polymorphism has been identified. So in my case for instance, although I tested heterozygous positive for a polymorphism that might negatively impact T4 to T3 conversion, I was very happy and healthy for 30 years taking mono-levothyroxine until things changed with the menopause since when I have needed both T4 and T3.

[brading in reply to MaisieGray]

Thanks for that clarification. I have checked the test result, and it is the rs225014 polymorphism. Have read that T3 treatment with or without T4 can produce benefits in psychological well-being, but am wondering if it also impacts on energy levels?

[MaisieGray in reply to brading]

You are probably familiar then, with the results of the 2009 study by Panniker et al, which found that that particular polymorphism did not affect serum thyroid hormone levels; which in turn you might expect to be the factor which directly impacted energy levels. But that isn't to say that impaired psychological well-being doesn't also indirectly impact energy levels and motivation of course.

[Summer64]

Adding T3 for me made a huge difference. My brain fog, memory and depression are so much better and I just need 10mcg in with my 75mcg of T4. I'm not as tired either. When my GP suddenly stopped my T3 nearly 2 years ago I went down hill and once I got it back I picked up so I feel there is definitely something there.

[brading in reply to Summer64]

That is really encouraging, thank you. Do you get an NHS prescription or do you have to pay for it yourself? Do you find a difference in the effectiveness of the various brands?

[saniagi]

This is my understanding and experience. If the D102 is faulty then the body cannot efficiently convert levothyroxine (T4) to T3 which the cells in the body need resulting in people taking levo and not getting better. Liothyronine is T3 and goes straight into the system feeding the cells and giving better health and improvement. Firstly if you think this is happening then a good GP is key, I had a private referral to an endocrinologist who said he had seen many patients like me, taking levothyroxine and getting no better, my go prescribed liothyronine on the private endows advice and it was like getting my life back. To continue the liothyronine my gp referred me to an nhs endo who supported its continuation on the nhs. It made a tremendous difference to me, remember it’s not all about the blood results, it’s also about how you’re feeling. There’s also a government paper that says if you have no improvement on levothyroxine then a patient is entitled to a trial on liothyronine to see if it helps. I take a low dose T4 and T3.