I have recently got back the Genova thyroid panel. I always have cold hands and feet, always tired and feel slowed down and I have recently started getting breathless with little exertion. I am fairly active and often have problems with low ferritin but this has recently been checked with the GP and is within ratio at 22. It was previously 14. I am alsoabout a stone over weight.
I took the test to see if I have a problem with having too much RT3. My sister has this and my Mam also has thyroid problems.
I also have rheumatoid arthritis and my fingers go white in the cold so I also think I have Raynards but this has never been diagnosed by a doctor.
Here are my results:
T4 68nmol/L
TSH 1.41 microlU/mL
FT4 15.5 pmol/L
Free T3 4.5 pmol/L
FT4:FT3 ratio 3.4
RT3 0.26 nmol/L
I put the free T3 and the RT3 into the stop the thyroid maddness calculaotr and it gave me a ratio of 17.3.
Can you please add the reference ranges for your tests, these vary from lab to lab so we need them to be able to interpret your results. Or you can add a picture of your results (don't show any personal details like name, date of birth, etc). Most members use Blue Horizon or Medichecks, rarely do we see Genova test results so we don't know their ranges.
I take it you have no diagnosis and are not on any thyroid hormone replacement?
It's worth mentioning that it's not worth the time and money spent on a reverse T3 test. It can tell you if your rT3 is high but it can't tell you why and there are many, many reasons for high rT3 and only one is to do with the thyroid and that is when there is an excess of unconverted T4 and looking at the FT4 and FT3 results tell us this. 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.
I don't have a diagnosis or on any thyroid medication.
I have mostly got my inflammation under control and my CRP is within range.
I am on a selenium supplement as well as a lot of other supplements already. Would you liike a full list of these.
I am not on any medication, have not starved or restricted calories. haven't had the flu recently, no diabetes or fatty liver disease. GP has not told me anything else about my liver. No problems with my kidneys.
I have recently done a hair an analysis test and this is suggesting heavy metal toxicity of mercury, lead and arsenic. I have started doing low dose chelation using the Any Cutler protocol. I have only done one round of this and this was after the test result. I have started on a microdose of DMSA of 0.25 mg.
I am under a lot of stress at present .
I have always felt cold and had freezing feet and hands.
I have felt fatigued since I had glandualr fever/EBV at 17.
Iron- I take spartone sachets to help with this. I eat a lot of red meat.
Should I get my recent labs from my GP so they can be looked at alongside this test result.
Also let me know if you want to know all the supplements I am taking.
It will take many many months to improve low ferritin levels
What’s your diet like, vegetarian or vegan
Low iron and/or low ferritin frequently linked to hair loss
Heavy periods are classic sign of being hypothyroid and will lead to low iron and ferritin
Look at increasing iron rich foods in diet
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
Thyroid disease is as much about optimising vitamins as thyroid hormones
I am already taking a vit D and B12 injections to help supplement. I eat a lot of red meat and have never eaten a vegan or vegaterian diet. I eat meant everyday.
I don't have hair loss. I do have thin hair.
I do have heavy periods but these have lessen slightly in the last few months. after having my mercury amalgams taken out.
Thank you for all the information about iron and ferritin. When I ask my GP's anything they just tell me to supplement. I will definitely look into increasing my absorption as I think this is a problem for me as I am eating a lot of red meat. I have a very sensitive stomach and wonder if I am not breaking down meat enough as I can get stomach aches after eating some red meats like beef and lamb, especially if I eat them for an evening meal.
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