PM's for T3?

[stillhopeful]

Hi Seaside Susie,

I now have my bood test results using MonitorMy Health.

3.8.20

TSH 0.01 (Range 0.27-4.2mU/L)

FT4 17.3 (Range 12-22 pmol )

FT 3 6.9 (Range 3.1-6.8 pmol)

Would it be OK now to ask for pm's as to best sources for T3?

Amanda

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Related post:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Sorry I didn't get around to catching up with notifications of posts yesterday.

Presumably those results were from taking 2 grains NDT?

Those results are what one would expect to see from someone on NDT - low TSH, lowish in range FT4 and at the higher end of range for T3.

What do you intend to do if you source T3? Add it to your NDT or what?

Those results show that really you don't need your FT3 any higher.

[stillhopeful in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi, yes those results were with taking 2 grains of NDT for about 9 months. I am thinking of replacing my NDT with T3 for a couple of months to to try to get my RT3 (34ng/dl range 10-20) down and then possibly going back on the NDT. I appreciate that I mustn't have my T3 any higher. I am looking to improve fatigue, brain fog and memory loss.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to stillhopeful]

stillhopeful

Reverse T3 is a bit of a red herring.

There are many, many causes of reverse T3 and only one to do with thyroid, and that's when there is a build up of unconverted T4.

Other conditions that contribute to increased Reverse T3 levels include:

· Chronic fatigue

· Acute illness and injury

· Chronic disease

· Increased cortisol (stress)

· Low cortisol (adrenal fatigue)

· Low iron

· Lyme disease

· Chronic inflammation

Also selenium deficiency, excess physical, mental and environmental stresses. Also Beta-blocker long-term use such as propranolol, metoprolol, etc. Physical injury is a common cause of increased RT3, also illnesses like the flu. Starvation/severe calorie restriction is known to raise RT3. Diabetes when poorly treated is known to increase RT3. Cirrhosis of the liver. Fatty liver disease. Any other liver stress Renal Failure. A fever of unknown cause. Detoxing of high heavy metals.

Looking at your results, I wouldn't think that your reverse T3 has anything to do with your thyroid.

Going back 5 years when I was looking into my problems I discovered my conversion was poor. I later did a whole barrage of tests and my rT3 at the time was 22 (10-24). I was already taking T3 and 5 months later I retested everything, my rT3 was higher at 29 (10-24). Just goes to show that taking T3 isn't necessarily the answer.

Apparently rT3 doesn't hang around long anyway, possibly a couple of hours and then converts to T2.

Are you having any symptoms?

[stillhopeful in reply to SeasideSusie]

Symptoms are fatigue, brain fog and memory loss. Energy is limited so have to decide whether to go shopping or hoover . Can't usually do both in a day. Need a rest day every 4 days which is better than earlier in the year. Was getting a some bone and muscle pain but lately that's gone.

Have had chronic fatigue for 24 years. Was a lot better before Thyroid diagnosis.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to stillhopeful]

stillhopeful

Do you have current results for Vit D, B12, Folate, Ferritin and have you done a cortisol/DHEA 24 hour adrenal test?

[stillhopeful in reply to SeasideSusie]

My B12 in Nov 19 was 576 pmol/L(Consider reducing dose >569).

My Vit D in March 20 was 118.4 nmol (80-150)

My Ferritin in March 20 was 112ng/ml (20-204)

My folate in May 19 was 44.7 nmol (8.83-60.8) I know this is out of date but but it was up from20.8 in No 18 and I am still supplementing.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to stillhopeful]

stillhopeful

They don't look too bad, but personally I keep my Vit D as close to 150nmol/L as possible and the B12 test you've had done is the serum Total B12 which includes both inactive and active B12. For your test 576pmol/L is equivalent to 780.48pg/ml and according to an extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:

"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."

Active B12 is a better test and tells us what's available for the cells to be used and needs to be at least 70.

It may be worth doing the 24 hour adrenal test I mentioned.

[stillhopeful in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi Seaside Susie, sorry for the delay. I have taken the 24 hour test twice before.

May 2018

6.45 am 12.75 (2.68-9.30) High

1.00 pm 5.93 (0.75-2.95) High

5.15 pm 1.68 (0.36-1.68) a bit high

10.15pm 0.80 (<0.94)

Then in Feb 2020

7.05 am 6.04 (2.68-9.30)

12.50pm 4.64 (0.75-2.93) High

5.20pm 1.27 (0.36 - 1.88)

10.20 0.63 (<0.94)

Although the second test looks superficially better I actually had less energy so wondered if I was at second stage adrenal fatigue when the adrenals are beginning to give up. Have increased my vit D since my March result and will now increase my B12. I didnt know about the different tests for B12.( or I had forgotten ). I have a bit more energy than in Feb when I had to stay in and rest every other day.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

Please add actual results and ranges

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Do you have Hashimoto’s?

If yes....Are you on strictly gluten free diet and/ or dairy free diet?

[stillhopeful in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry about the delay replying.

My B12 in Nov 19 was 576 pmol/L(Consider reducing dose >569).

My Vit D in March 20 was 118.4 nmol (80-150)

My Ferritin in March 20 was 112ng/ml (20-204)

My folate in May 19 was 44.7 nmol (8.83-60.8) I know this is out of date but but it was up from20.8 in No 18 and I am still supplementing.

I had low levels of Anti Thyroidperoxidase abs and Anti Thyroglibulin Abs in Nov 19. Have had no indications of Hashimotos ever since diagnosis but on a gluten free diet anyway as gluten gives me arthritic symptoms. Do have yoghurt but not milk or cow's cheese.

Taking adrenal cortex, Estriol and progesterone cream, evening primrose, VitD3, Bromelain, B12, B complex, Glucosamine and chodroitin, apple cider vinegar with the mother.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to stillhopeful]

Ever had ultrasound scan of thyroid?

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...

The fact gluten free diet is helpful suggests likely Hashimoto’s

Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL blood tests (eg vitamin B complex)

[stillhopeful in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for that advice. Looking at the Paul Robinson article it seems T3 could be helpful for certain unusual conditions. How does the biotin effect the results? There is s tiny amount in my complex which I did take within a week.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to stillhopeful]

Both Medichecks and Blue horizon have said biotin supplements may affect their test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

[Lalatoot]

Are you thinking of going to T3 only? With your FT3 just at the top of range you don't want to be adding more.

[stillhopeful in reply to Lalatoot]

yes thank you Lalatoot. I am thinking of replacing the NDT for a couple of months.

[Lalatoot in reply to stillhopeful]

You will need to do it longer than a couple of months. With T3 you need to start low and build up slow. You will need to start on a dose that will cover the T3 in your NDT and a bit more for the levo element but you should not start at a full replacement dose. Build up by 5mcg every 2 weeks from your starter dose. Bloods every 8 weeks.

[stillhopeful in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you, that's very helpful.