Medichecks thyroid tests

[Onedge]

I asked for my thyroid tests plus folate ferritin etc but I most wanted my rt3 and rt4 tests done. They don’t do it but said ‘ the ultimate performance test covers all my other requirements which I’m going to get done. My question is ‘where do I get rt3 and rt4 tests done ?? Please can you advise

[fuchsia-pink]

Why do you want them testing? My understanding is that they are expensive tests and not terribly helpful - because knowing that you have eg high reverse T3 doesn't tell you why it is high. So they are very seldom done in the UK.

[Onedge in reply to fuchsia-pink]

I want to make sure that my rt3 and rt4 are lower than the f3 and F4 because if they are high then they blocks the cell to using t3 causing mayhem

[greygoose in reply to Onedge]

Well, no, there's absolutely no truth in that.

For a start, there's no such thing as rT4. It doesn't exist, so you wouldn't find a test for it.

Secondly, rT3 does not block the T3 receptors, as used to be though, it has its own receptors we now know.

This makes sense because rT3 is always present in the system in greater or lesser quantities. It's perfectly natural. So, if it blocked T3 receptors, it would do so all the time, not just when it was high, and we'd all be dead from lack of T3.

There are rT3 tests but they are very expensive, and don't give you any useful information. There are many, many causes of high rT3, and only one of them has anything to do with thyroid. And, that is when your FT4 is very in, or over, range. If your FT4 is right at the top of the range, you can be almost certain you will have high rT3. If your FT4 is that high, and you have high rT3, it will be caused by something which has nothing to do with thyroid. So, what could you posibly do about it? The rT3 test will tell you if you have high levels, but not why.

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

* Selenium deficiency

* Excess physical, mental and environmental stresses

* Beta-blocker long-term use such as propranolol, metoprolol, etc.

* Physical injury is a common cause of increased RT3

* Viruses, such as flu

* Starvation/severe calorie restriction

* Mistreated diabetes

* Cirrhosis of the liver

* Fatty liver disease

* Renal Failure.

* Fever of unknown cause

* Detoxing high heavy metals levels

* Etc. etc. etc.

[Onedge]

Thanks for the info

[greygoose in reply to Onedge]

You're welcome.

[shaws Administrator]

Reverse T3: Reverse T3 (rT3) is a byproduct of thyroid hormone metabolism. This test is not generally recommended for routine evaluation of thyroid disorders. Reverse T3 levels is elevated in sick euthyroid syndrome but has no other clinical value.16 Mar 2018

[Onedge in reply to shaws]

I know rt3 is a natural hormone in healthy bodies but my cousin has the reverse problem, my other cousin had thyroid cancer and my sister and I suffer hypothyroidism. I’m sure I have Hashimotos as I have low white blood cells, very low platelets and the wrong shaped red blood cells. But I have no diagnosis for this. However, I have Sjögrens and other debilitating health issues and although they have doubled my dose of Levo in March and my last test showed I was euthyroid I’m still have issues with extreme fatigue, pain, lack of energy etc and know that I don’t function correctly throughout the day. I was wondering therefore if I still wasn’t converting enough T4 to T3( still low in range) and whether something else was preventing the cells getting the T3. I also suffer low vitamins and medically prescribed vit D and Folate which I’ve been taking for many years before my hypothyroid diagnosis. I have above the range of creatinine and I need a kidney scan. I’m aware that the kidney malfunction and / or low vitamins could cause problems but with no oestrogen or testosterone I’m wondering what other hormones or proteins I’m not making. Hence I need to get private testing done to get a complete performance of my body. What do you think??

[greygoose in reply to Onedge]

my cousin has the reverse problem

rT3 is not a problem. It is caused by problems elsewhere. It is a sign that something is wrong somewhere in the body, but it is not a problem in itself - rather like high cholesterol. It is inert, doesn't cause symptoms, doesn't block T3 receptors, doesn't prevent T3 getting into the cells in any way. And, it ony stays in the system for about two hours before it is converted to T2.

What could prevent T3 from getting into the cells is soy. Do you consume any soy?

I was wondering therefore if I still wasn’t converting enough T4 to T3

To know that, you need to test FT4 and FT3 at the same time and compare them

[shaws Administrator in reply to Onedge]

In order to diagnose Hashimoto's you need to have a test for thyroid antibodies. If antibodies are present, then you will have a diagnose of hashimoto's.

Researchers have proven that those who cannot improve on levothyroxine alone, can feel much better with a T4/T3 combination. If you're in the UK they have withdrawn T3 from being prescribed by GPs due to its enormous cost to the NHS. Some Endocrinologists will prescribe if he/she thinks the patient will benefit. The reason for the withdrawal of T3 to patients was due to the exorbitant cost the pharma companies charge the NHS. They don't consider the benefit of T3 at all, which is a shame.

I think a majority of doctors only test TSH and T4. A Full Thyroid Function Test, which is T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. Blood has to be drawn at the earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and if taking thyroid hormone replacements don't take them before blood draw but afterwards.

Even though we have blood test results, the best way to judge if we're taking an adequate amount of replacement hormones, is 'how we feel'. If still unwell we need some adjustments to our replacement dose.

If your T3 is still low, I'd suggest you request a trial of T4/T3 and quite a number of scientists/researchers have proven the benefit of the combination, but I know that if you're in the UK, T3 will not be prescribed by GPs but an endocrinologist can if he/she thinks it necessary.

It would be good if the medical professionals were aware of how patients actually 'feel' when not on an optimum dose of thyroid hormones that suit them, i.e. NDT (no longer prescribed due to misinformation by those who should know better but do not). So, I believe, they should not have the ability to state what's best for individual patients as we, on this forum take a variety of replacement thyroid hormones.

A number of scientists/researchers have proven that a T4/T3 combination can restore health if patients are given a trial.

[Onedge in reply to shaws]

Yes I have the antibodies. I’m not sure my endocrinologist is up to date with thyroid issues. He has said I have sub clinical hypothyroidism but both my TSH was over range and my T4 was under range. I thought sub clinical meant only one reading was out of range. He also said that ‘he’d never heard of anything so ridiculous as me splitting the dose of Levo to morning and night! I have found a vast improvement in my Ability to sleep more than 1 hour a night and my heart palpitations are less as a result of taking Levo at night. Im so pleased I read this Advice from this site. I’m not sure he’s any good at all!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

[Angel_of_the_North]

There's is no such thing as rT4, and rT3 is a pretty pointless test. If it is low, fine, if it is high, it can't tell you why: stress, dieting, heart disease, chronic illness - who knows?

[Dollyrocker000]

Hi BlueHorizon UK test Rt3, got my results yesterday.