free t3 and rt3 ratio

[Hello0]

Hello everyone! I understand that the free t3 and Rt3 ratio is supposed to be 20:1. I put mine into a calculator and it is 0.1. I assume that means 0 to 1 .So that doesn't seem good, is that correct? 2.5 free t3, 19 rt3, 1.0 TSH and T4 1.2. Does anyone use the supplement natural desiccated thyroid, instead of the prescription?

[Hidden]

I'm sorry, I don't quite understand your question and don't know that much about rT3. The info is conflicting though; some claim it matters and others that it's metabolically inactive.

But in order for anyone to comment on your labs we'd need ranges as they differ from lab to lab.

The only thing I remember reading about rT3 is that those who believe in rT3 dominance claim it is cured using either low doses of T4 (+/-50 mcg, or 1-1.5 grains of NDT) and T3, or T3 only. The idea behind this is that rT3 is made from T4, so by reducing or removing T4 from the equation you are depriving the body of the raw material from which it manufactures rT3. But, then again, this is just one theory, and others reject it. When I say reject, I don't mean reject the existence of rT3 as it's very real. Reject refers to the fact that they don't consider it a problem and not something that blocks the action of free T3, basically causing hypothyroidism (which some alternative practitioners claim).

And what do you mean by "natural desiccated thyroid" as opposed to prescription....? NDT or DTE (desiccated thyroid extract) is natural (porcine) and prescription only in most countries. There are OTC versions manufactured in Thailand, as well as some products containing unspecified amounts of porcine or bovine thyroid being sold as supplements, but the term "natural desiccated thyroid" normally refers to prescription only drugs sold under various brand names, such as Armour, Naturethroid, NP Thyroid, Erfa Thyroid, etc.

[Hello0 in reply to Hidden]

It is Forefront healths Raw Dessicated Thyroid

[Hidden in reply to Hello0]

Well, I still don't see the connection between this product and rt3...? What is your problem exactly?

And can you please post reference ranges with your labs?

Are you currently on any thyroid hormone replacement and, if so, which one(s) and how much? Have you been diagnosed with thyroid disease?

Or are you taking the product you mentioned (Forefront Raw Desiccated Thyroid)? In that case, I agree with everything Greygoose says.

[greygoose]

It's irrelevant. A total red herring. It doesn't give you any useful information, so I really wouldn't worry about it - it's not even worth testing. So, your result is neither good nor bad.

There are many, many reasons for excess rT3, and only one of them is due to the thyroid. So, the proposed 'cure' for it is not a cure at all. If you stop all T4 it will go away, yes, you can't have rT3 without T4. But, if you haven't addressed the root cause, when you start the T4, it will just come back again. But, it isn't a problem. It is inert and only stays in the body for a couple of hours before being converted into T2.

Forefront healths Raw Dessicated Thyroid is what is called a glandular, and it probably doesn't contain any hormone, so cannot be used as a substitute for thyroid hormone replacement - T4, T3, NDT - by hypos. Whether or not it does anything for non-hypos, I have no idea. I tried one once and had bad stomach pains, so don't take it anymore.