Low T3 Syndrome

[UKGirl1966]

Has anyone heard of Low T3 Syndrome?

I seem to have high FT4 with very low FT3 . My TSH seems fine. I wondered why my T3 is so low and found an article on Low T3 Syndrome. I wondered if anyone has any experience of this perhaps?

[greygoose]

Low T3 Syndrome is whan you're sick with something other than thyroid that causes your FT3 to be low/poor conversion. It doesn't refer to people with thyroid problems.

You have a diagnosis of hypo, so your FT3 is low because you are a poor converter. Why you are a poor converter is anybody's guess. There can be so many reasons. Low nutrients, for example, low calorie intake, and many, many more.

[UKGirl1966 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you Grey Goose

[greygoose in reply to UKGirl1966]

You're welcome.

[jimh111]

Your first set of blood tests indicate you were on too little levothyroxine, not enough to convert to T3. Your second set had a weird fT4 figure which is most likely an error (this would not have been caused by a seven hour gap between taking the tablet and having the blood taken). I'm afraid you will need a good set of TSH, fT3, fT4 before we can draw any conclusions.

[UKGirl1966 in reply to jimh111]

Thank you Jim. I will ask for another set.Incidentally, I tested positive for H Pylori. Do you have any insight on that?

[jimh111 in reply to UKGirl1966]

Helicobacter Pylori has no link to hypothyroidism as far as I know. Lots of people have HP, it’s not a problem for thyroid unless you should fail to absorb levothyroxine.

[Batty1 in reply to jimh111]

I actually read a medical article about hypothyroidism and some health issues that could be connected and H-pylori was on the list.... is it true 🤷‍♀️

[jimh111 in reply to Batty1]

This is not a subject I've studied. There seems to be a possible link with autoimmune conditions but it appears to be inconclusive and we can't be sure whether HP increases autoimmunity or autoimmunity / hypothyroidism increases the risk of HP infection.

I quickly found this review ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... which you may like to read. I have not read this document, just glanced at it.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You’re only on tiny dose levothyroxine, so you would expect Ft3 to be low until dose is increased

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)

Most people on levothyroxine need to increase dose slowly upwards in 25mcg steps until on, or near full replacement dose of 1.6mcg per kilo of your weight. Unless very petite that’s likely too be at least 100mcg levothyroxine per day

Regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Have you had coeliac blood test

Are you on strictly gluten free diet

H Pylori is common with Hashimoto’s

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[thyr01d]

I read an interesting post on here about mould and T3 so if you live in a damp property let me know and I'll forward it to you.

[JCCABC123 in reply to thyr01d]

Hi thyr01d - I would be really interested in reading the article you mention about T3 & mould - after 9yrs of treatment for hypothyroidism various symptoms and situations have made me wonder if there could be a connection and now I’ve just seen you mention it - would you please be kind enough to forward it on to me? Thank you in advance

[thyr01d in reply to JCCABC123]

Hi JCCABC123, thanks for your message. Here's a link to the article and a note I made to myself: Mould and Hypothyroidism – need for T3 and naturally gluten free diet

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

I hope it helps and would like to hear what you think. Perhaps you could PM me some time though I won't be picking up messages for the next few days as I'll be standing out in the pouring rain with family!

[bookish in reply to thyr01d]

Just found this, thank you so much for posting. Suspect it could be playing a part, might be reducing my nut intake as that is about the only thing likely to be adding to the problem (that I can easily do something about anyway). Plenty to think about. Best wishes.