Hi,
My free T4 is mid range and My TSH is still too high despite taking levothyroxine but my Free T3 is below the normal range, suggesting a bad conversion from T4 into T3.
Anyone knows how a low T3 can be treated? It looks like increasing the T4 is not helping my T3
Thanks
Lilly12255
What are your actual results, with reference ranges?
Before considering adding T3, we need TSH down to 1 or below to give the highest possible FT4 then see what conversion is like. Mid-range FT4 isnt really high enough.
We also need optimal nutrient levels before adding T3 - Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin.
I see. Thanks. Yes, there is still a lot of room for this. Had posted my results in earlier post and read about T3 in one of the links you sent. TSH at 2.88 so too high. T3 at 2.6 (2.9-4.9 range). Vitamins all mid to high range
How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?
Dose levothyroxine is increased up slowly in 25mcg steps upwards
The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many patients need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 is in top third of range and FT3 at least half way through range
NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.
My personal experience: when I was under-medicated on Levothyroxine (i.e. T4 only) was that as I bumped up my dose of Levo (more or less on my own) I got to a point, it was either 137 or 150 mcg, I'm sorry it was a long time ago. I just kept increasing my dose until 1.) I felt well and 2.) I was generating an optimal amount of T3. Unfortunately I didn't know enough about the whole subject and my Endo was under educated in the field of Thyroidism, so she jumped in there and told me my TSH had become suppressed and that I had to reduce my Levo dose immediately! Like a fool I did and that was the end of my feeling well.
I would suggest you increase your T4 dose and keep an eye on your T3 generation. Do not assume you do not convert while you are under-medicated. Do not even think that you are anywhere near you correct dose with a TSH of >1. You are on a difficult and frustrating path but stick to it, you will get there, most of us on this site has walked that path.
During my despair of not being allowed to take a Levo dose which made me feel well I discovered Armour NDT and I returned to good health. but see if you can do it by simply increasing your Levo, it is possible.
Low T3 free RT3 ratio
Low free T3
Low Free T3 and T4
T3 compared to Free T3
