How important is Rt3

[Digger031145]

How important is Rt3 really?

Does it cause problems or is it just overly exaggerated

[shaws Administrator]

No it doesn't cause problems for the patient and this is an explanation.

thyroid.org/patient-thyroid...

Excerpt:

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS STUDY?

This study suggests that the majority of rT3 tests are ordered by a relatively small proportion of clinicians, mostly providers practicing functional medicine. The review of medical literature does not support routine measurement of rT3 in clinical care of a patient with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. This is important for patients who have thyroid disease and would like to be involved in decision making regarding their care. This might be especially important for patients who have to pay or share the cost of their laboratory tests.

[Digger031145 in reply to shaws]

Hello shawsA while ago Paul R told me to try increasing my dose of Levo to 125mcgs and keep my T3 at 15mcgs.

I did what he said last November and now since I showed him my new results he said I’ve probably got high Rt3 now

I was wondering even if I did have does it really impact on the T3 getting into cells ?

[tattybogle in reply to Digger031145]

As i understand it . NO.... rT3 cannot prevent T3 getting into cells ,it was previously thought that it used the same T3 receptors inside the cells, but it is now known it uses different receptors on the outside of the cell wall , so it does not block the T3 receptors from utilising T3.

this article may help explain:

thyroidpatients.ca/2019/11/... principles-practical-tips-for-reverse-t3-ft3-ft4

or try some of the links to other articles about rT3 from that site.. sorry, i cant remember which one was the best explanation.. there are several on there thyroidpatients.ca/home/sit... thyroidpatients.ca/home/site-map/

[Digger031145 in reply to tattybogle]

Thank you very much for your reply and your help. I will take a look at those links

[Digger031145 in reply to tattybogle]

I’ve read the link - thank youSo if my ft4 isn’t high and ft3 isn’t high does that mean my Rt3 is likely to be ok?

I’m on combo t4/T3 which I take in the morning.

I just dose T3 once a day with my T4.

It’s a small dose of T3

[tattybogle in reply to Digger031145]

to pinch a previous reply from greygoose on the subject:

"The only time high rT3 has anything to do with thyroid is when the FT4 is too high. So, what do you do? You reduce the levo. This might mean that you need to add in T3 - a whole other discussion in itself - but if your FT4 reaches a certain level, you are going to have high rT3.

Other causes of high rT3 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."

so IF you tested rT3 (at great expense) and found it to be raised, but high fT4 was not the cause.. then unfortunately it still leaves you with the question " how would anyone know what to do about it anyway ?"

[Digger031145 in reply to tattybogle]

Thank you.I’m on combo t4/T3 but ft4 isn’t high neither is ft3

[greygoose in reply to Digger031145]

In which case, as far as we know, high rT3 is of absolutely no importance to you.

[Digger031145 in reply to greygoose]

A while ago Paul R told me to increase t4 but leave T3 at same dose.I did this in November and now he’s telling me I must have Rt3 and to now reduce t4 and increase T3!!!!

So frustrating

[greygoose in reply to Digger031145]

What is your FT4 level?

[Digger031145 in reply to greygoose]

These are my results from beginning of June I was taking 125mcgs T4 and 15mcgs T3 .TSH <0.03 (0.35-4.94)!

Ft4 15.5 (9-19) 69%

Ft3 3.9 (2.6-5.74)41.4%

Add 20% 4.68 66.24%

B12 615 ng(180-640) change in range from (150-883)

Folate 5.3 ug(3.0-20) had been using 800mcgs folic acid spray since 14/15

[greygoose in reply to Digger031145]

I very much doubt your rT3 would be high due to that FT4 level. It's not that high.

As for folate, methylfolate is better than folic acid. And, B vits all need to be taken together because they all work together and need to be kept balanced. So, you might be better off with a B complex containing 400 mcg methylfolate.

[Digger031145 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you greygoose I tried methylfolate and it made me very jittery so I’m using an 800mcgs folic acid spray.

I haven’t taken any B12 though as it looked quite good in the results.

[greygoose in reply to Digger031145]

B12 may look good, and you don't have to take much of it - there won't be much in a B complex - but just taking one isolated B vit i not a good idea. You can get a B complex with folic acid, if you feel that suits you better.

[Digger031145 in reply to greygoose]

Ok. So you think I should take a B complex?I’ve been told that folate as low as mine can cause anxious feelings which is what I am getting .

[greygoose in reply to Digger031145]

Yes, I think you should.

[Digger031145 in reply to greygoose]

Are you aware that being low in folate can make you feel anxious for no reason ?

[greygoose in reply to Digger031145]

I did not know that, no. I do know it can by a symptom of low T3.

Why is it important that I know that low folate can cause anxiety? I'm not telling you not to take it. Just take it in a B complex.

[Digger031145 in reply to greygoose]

I just wondered if you knew of it that’s all You’ve seen my thyroid results.

So what’s your thoughts on that then?

Bearing in mind there was 24 hrs from last dose to blood test

[greygoose in reply to Digger031145]

Ft3 3.9 (2.6-5.74)41.4%

Add 20% 4.68 66.24%

I think there's room for an increase, there. Although it would have been better if you'd just left the normal 8 to 12 hour gap rather than 24 hours, because the additional 20% is just a guestimate, it's not accurate. But, even so, some people need their T3 right up the top of the range - I need mine slightly over the top. Remember, ranges are just a rough guide, not a cast iron limit. How you feel is much more important. And, if you feel anxious, the first thing I would do is increase T3 by 5 mcg.

[Digger031145 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for advising I increase T3 by 5mcgs.It won’t interfere with my t4 dosage will it as my ft4 isn’t high anyway.

I can give it a go.

Waking up to feeling anxious inside is not nice at all . I have no reason to feel anxious .

[greygoose in reply to Digger031145]

Yes, I know about anxiety. For me, it is one of the first signs of under-medication.

Increasing your T3 probably won't have any further effect on your FT4 - it's low because you are taking T3, but probably won't go any lower. Whether or not the low FT4 is a problem for you is a question no-one can answer but you. It's a very individual thing. Some people need to keep it in the top third of the range. But, people like me are happiest with zero FT4. The best level for you is something you have to find by trial and error. But, get your FT3 right first.

[Digger031145 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you I’ll do that. My ft4 is never high in range . The most it’s been is 17 I think when I went back to T4 only last year for about 16/18 weeks last summer but I think it was a big mistake then

[guysgrams]

High RT3 and high FT4 affected me immensely. My RT3 was at 60.2 and FT4 at 15.9 both especially RT3 well over range! I felt like death warmed over believe me. It took over a year to basically get things better. I ended up on T3 only for about 2 years and then went back to a combo of T3/T4.

[Digger031145 in reply to guysgrams]

My ft4 is not over range

[Digger031145]

HiI’m sure I saw a link here which said Rt3 is not important at all and also that it should be ignored but I can’t find it now.

Can anyone direct me to it please