Could someone please tell me what your optimal free t3 result should be?
I've just had some test results and most are Ok apart from vitamin D which was very low and I'm working on that. But my naturopath seems to think my t3 is fine but I feel dreadful.
My free t3 is 3.9. Range 3.1 - 6.8
Is this too low?
Thank you.
Morning WinnieH. ‘Should be’ is a term that should be banned. There isn’t a ‘should be’ for Hypo because we’re all so individual. Stick with terms like ‘optimal’ and keep using them even with your health care providers so that we can retrain their brains too!
If you feel symptomatic then your T3 is too low and it’s not optimal for you.
Having FT4 result with your FT3 gives the forum members a better idea of what’s going on.
Are you diagnosed? Do you take medication? Or is it a blip because your vitamin/mineral levels aren’t optimal?
She only did freeT3 this time but I've just sent off for a full Thyroid blood test myself.
I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism 25 years ago and have been on T4 only all that time. Initially I was OK on T4 but not in the last 5 years.
Was diagnosed with ME in 2005 and was very ill, bed/housebound for about 4-5 years. Like all these illnesses I had little help and worked out my own protocol which has me back on my feet and about 85% better. I do feel it is my thyroid that is the main problem now. Overwhelming fatigue, depression and a weight gain of 3 stone.
I am on 100mcg T4 at the moment. I have tried NDT last year but found I just became more and more depressed and fatigued on it.
Am now considering adding T3 to my T4. I am going to have to self-medicate as my dr. won't even discuss the idea. Have bought Paul Robinsons book and am wadding through it at the moment.
I take all the necessary vitamins/minerals and have done since ME. My Iron is OK. No antibody problem. Am working on my adrenals. My Vitamin D is very low but I can't seem to raise it.
Thank you so much for replying.
Is ‘she’ your GP? Very unusual that she only tested T3. If you had FT4 and 3 it would be clear. That you have a conversion problem. But how long have you been on 100mcg?? It could be as simple as you’re not on a high enough dose.
Please post your thyriod results, it’ll be interesting to see what your FT4 score is. I’d like to see it high in range and then it might be certain that you have a conversion problem. If it turns out to be low in range as your FT3 score is then I’d suggest an increase in Levo first. Retest in 6wks and keep increasing Levo till it gets high or at the top of range. If you have no relief in symptoms and your FT3 is still low in range then it’s time to look at sourcing T3.
I’m really sorry you’ve had such a difficult, long and prolonged illness. Even ME symptoms could have been low thyroid hormones. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all you needed was extra Levo or a tiny little pill?
I was okish on and off for the last 10yrs but now I realise how much I’ve had to push through symptoms. I don’t convert well so now I’m on t4/3 combo and loving life for what seems like the first time in my adult life. Even as a child I was tired, I just thought I was lazy and a depressive!
As most people I have had little help from my GP and so decided to see a Naturopath and as I had a TSH/T4 blood test done by the GP 6 months prior decided I only needed the T3 test. My test kit is on the way and hopefully turnaround will be quick. I will post those results.
I was on 125mcg of T4 but my TSH was below 1 so the GP cut the T4. I can't say I felt any better on the 125mcg.
I do believe the diagnosis of ME was justified as I had an awful lot of symptoms but do think Thyroid played a huge part and still is. I'm so fed-up of dragging myself around and feeling permanently low.
So good to hear you are now feeling better and enjoying life. It helps just to hear positive stories.
I would say that it is low. To feel well most people need their Ft3 to be at least half way through the range. For some they feel optimal when it is 80%through.it is a case of finding what is best for you but personally I think you won't begin to find that till you are up to 4.8 at least that is half way.
S/he thinks it's 'fine' because it's in-range. They seem to think there's something magical about a range - as long as you're in it, you're alright! So, 3.2 is alright. But get it up to 6.9 and see the panic and terror in their eyes! They have no idea of proportion. But, I would think your FT3 would be too low for anyone.
WinnieH, most people need freeT3 in the top third of the range to feel well. When adjusting your dose you can take it all the way to the top or even a little over if symptoms justify it.
I would expect you to feel rubbish with a very low freeT3 like this. And as others have said, this could give symptoms that would get you diagnosed with ME.
But also, in terms of how to treat this, its a bit ambiguous without a freeT4 result. There are two different possibilities. You might have:
a) High freeT4
Low freeT3
OR
b) Low freeT4
Low freeT3
And these would give two different treatment recommendations. When you take T4-only tablets the body has to convert that T4 into T3 before it can be used. When we're ill sometimes we aren't too good at conversion, so can be in situation (a) with loads of T4, but not able to convert it and make use of it. These folks will need to take T3 tablets to get their levels up.
But its also very common on the forum to see situation (b), people who are taking too low a dose of T4 in the first place. Most people taking T4-only need to get that freeT4 high in range in order to give plenty of T4 for conversion. Unfortunately doctors are extremely bad at dosing, and people can be left sick for decades just due to being on a too low dose.
When starting out in self monitoring /medicating the first step is to tune up the T4 dose and get that optimal to see how you feel. Many people like to add in at least a little T3, but it is not a wonder drug, it needs to be dosed correctly just like T4 does.
Good luck, its nice to see people preparing to self medicate and take their health into their own hands 
Thankyou so much for replying. Although replies don't make you better it certainly helps to know people have been through it and care enough to try and help.
My test kit is on the way and I'm hoping it will help me decide which path to take because I just can't function as things are.
I asked my GP to refer me to an endocrinologist a year ago which he did and the endo., sent me a letter via the GP refusing to see me as my TSH was "normal"! Hence deciding to take responsibility for my own healing.
Just need to see what my results are and take things from there.
You're very welcome
Thyroid treatment is an absolute disgrace 
Many of us have to self medicate because they just don't know how to treat us. And don't care if we are suffering a very poor quality of life.
You can always put your new results up on the forum in a new post of you want any advice!
Low Free T3
Low free T3
Confused about results and symptoms
Low Free T3 and T4
