T3

[Soundwell1]

I feel so fatigued and foggy and itchy and can't sleep. T3 is 3.8 (4 - 6.80) t4 is 20.5 (range 12 - 22). WHY??

[Jazzw]

Probably because, per your previous post, one grain of NDT per day isn’t enough for you. It isn’t enough for most hypothyroid people. Have you tried raising your dose?

[Soundwell1 in reply to Jazzw]

No. Because my tsh is low at 0.35.

I've also had heart op and my heart seems to be tightening.

[greygoose in reply to Soundwell1]

Your heart is probably 'tightening' because it hasn't got enough T3 to keep it going. Hearts need a lot of T3.

And, it really does not matter one jot about your TSH. When one is taking T3, either on its own or in NDT, the pituitary decides you don't need TSH anymore, and cuts down drastically on the amount it produces. In fact, if you were taking enough T3, your TSH would be completely suppressed. But, it doesn't matter because you don't need it. And it certainly isn't an indication of how well you are medicated.

So, forget the TSH, and concentrate on the FT3. That is the most important number, and yours is below range. So, not surprising you're having problems.

[Jazzw in reply to Soundwell1]

As greygoose has already said, you can’t go by TSH. Especially not when taking hormone replacements that contain T3. You need to know what your FT3 level is—and any doctor who tries to tell you that it’s unnecessary to test FT3 doesn’t know very much about how to treat hypothyroidism.

Your FT3 is below the reference range—it’s as clear as day that you’re undermedicated.

[HLAB35]

I agree completely with others' replies about your t3 level being on the floor and suspect that your itchy feeling is probably due to poor liver function. This could improve somewhat if you take milk thistle or NAC with your evening meal. If you improve your liver function then your dire thyroid conversion may also be helped a bit. If you have other symptoms of poor liver function e.g. look jaundiced, or have upper abdominal pain you should get that checked urgently. I find that taking a combination of magnesium and p5p in the evening can help with sleep.

ADDITIONAL EDIT

The complete lack of sleep sounds like an adrenal issue. Getting any kind of physical, emotional and mental stress relief will be very helpful obviously, so don't hesitate to ask for helpful tips about techniques or supplements, or post any additional questions.

[DippyDame]

Dreadful numbers...no wonder you feel unwell

With high FT4 (85% through range) and very low FT3 (-7.14% through range!) I suggest you are experiencing poor conversion of the storage hormoneT4 to the active hormone T3. Every cell in your body requires an adequate and constant supply of T3 to enable the body to function properly. Your FT3 is seriously low and this is what you need to address.

The heart is "greedy" for T3...yours is asking for more!

Good conversion is supported by optimal levels of Folate, Ferritin, Vit D and Vit B12. Have these nutrients been tested...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

It could also be that you have a (Dio2) genetic polymorphism and would benefit from the addition of T3...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

You are under/wrongly medicated and any medic should understand this- but they don't. As far as thyroid disease goes most of them are clueless which is why over 100,000 people have arrived here looking for help!

Good luck

DD

[Hidden]

You need more T3, urgently. Most doctors panic if TSH becomes suppressed because they have been told it will cause bone and heart problems. In reality, as has been said, your heart is struggling because of low T3 and the fact you don't convert properly.

Thyroid hormone treatment does often cause TSH to go low and it bears little or no relation to whether you are over or undermedicated or just right.

My TSH went to 0.01 while T3 and T4 were still within range. I knew I was still hypo but had to take a decrease in thyroxine, which a few months later resulted in breathlessness and swollen ankles. Two thyroxine increases later (finally found an enlightened and very helpful GP) the breathlessness is quite a bit better though ankles still swell. TSH was slightly higher on the last test, (0.05) but T3 and T4 still within range. Thankfully my T4/T3 conversion isn't too bad so far.

[Soundwell1 in reply to Hidden]

I'm interested in what your range of t4 and t3 are because my t4 is 10 and it's always been 18 or more when I was on thyroxine alone but t3 was 3 8.

[Polly91]

Completely agree with others. Your FT3 is too low and TSH is only a useful marker in conjunction with T3 and T4 when you are not taking any thyroid replacement.

You need adequate levels of T3 to be able to sleep as well as all other functions. Even sleep requires energy which comes from T3.

I had low T3 for nearly a year and it caused all sorts of problems. Only since my T3 has got into the upper quartile have I started to feel well again.

Good luck.

[Soundwell1 in reply to Polly91]

Thanks, what was your low t3 result?

[Polly91 in reply to Soundwell1]

It was 3.4 at the lowest

[Soundwell1 in reply to Polly91]

Thanks, mine was 3.8.