I just wanted your opinion on the possible long term effects of low normal T3. My case is as follows:
1. I had viral Thyroiditis on 2017 (not autoinmune) and could never recover.
2. After that, I spent 3 years with a TSH between 4 and 8 (my normal value was always 2). My free t3 was 2,8 (2-4,2). My total t3 20 years ago (when I was healthy) was at top range.
3. I started taking levo after having some strange neurological symptoms (paresthesias, sudden jerks at night). My ferritin was at an alarming 8.
4. I now take T4 only. My free T3 is 2,6 (2-4,2). My ONLY symptoms are the ones I mentioned before. I took iron for 3 months and will check again ferritin in 15 days. Nevertheless, symptoms slightly remain. All neuro illnesses have been ruled out.
Would you take T3 with little to no symptoms, just in case it has long term consequences in my brain? Or just take T4? I could perfectly live with those symptoms given they don't get worse over time.
Thanks!!
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Alejandrita17
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My ft4 is 1,4 (0,7-1,7). It is my Ft3 which is lower than before (when I was healthy). I could perfectly live with those slight symptoms all my life, given they don't get worse. And that is what I cannot reassure.
Yes, of course it's your FT3 which is lower. Obviously it's going to be because you no-longer have the T3 made by your thyroid. You are entirely reliant on conversion of T4 to T3. And, given that your FT4 is 70% through the range, and your FT3 is only 27.27%, you're a poor converter.
When you say you don't have any symptoms of low T3 - or not very many - are you really sure you know what all the symptoms are? There are over 300 of them, you know.
So, do you have any reason for not wanting to take T3?
I feel perfectly well, I mean, I don't have weight issues, or energy issues, or brain fog, or depression, or skin and hair issues. All seems well, EXCEPT for the sudden jerks at night and paresthesias from time to time. I could live with them all my life, given they don't get worse! I don't know which effects I could have in, let's say, 10 or 20 years from now.
I was tested for MMA and homocisteine and both came back perfect, so my neurologyst said B12 is ok. Vit 12 is now 350 (200-900), but My brothers have the same level with no issues.
TSH is 1,27 and ft4 is 1,4 (0,7-1,7). It is Ft3 that worries me, because it is lower than before (when I was healthy)
But I have no additional symptoms, other than what I mentioned.
When my B12 was around that level, I was losing the use of my right arm. Your vit B12 is not OK. Anything under 550 can - and will - lead to permenant neurological damage. When I started supplementing the Bs, my neurological problems cleared up.
Thorne Basic B or Jarrow B Right are recommended options that contains folate, but both are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
If serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months, then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If you have sufficient energy levels, good mood, and no apparent symptoms usually associated with hypo but not always obviously so (ie tinnitus, sinusitis, fungal toe nails, cough, etc) then maybe this is your new T3 level.
The preference would always be T4 meds if wellness could be achieved by this alone because it is the easiest to obtain and not stigmatised by unknowledgeable doctors.
Remember once we start medicating, thyroid signalling within the HPT axis alters. You have previously questioned good conversion but if you are feeling well your body is obviously converting enough and to add exogenous T3 could prove detrimental. Sometimes we need to stop fixating on the numbers and assess/enjoy our degree of wellness.
Looking back your previous posts I would say low iron is your problem which I know you are working on. Adequate levels are not only essential for good thyroid hormone function but also for the central nervous system being involved in many different enzymatic and metabolic processes. I investigated this because I have the opposite to you, iron overload and suffer restless leg syndrome.
I would also be questioning your Vit B12 levels which may be ok for your brothers but are they suffering strange neurological symptoms also? An extract from the book Could it be B12? by Sally M. Pacholok states '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'. Also '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.'
Thanks for your answer! Yes, I also have tinnitus and it started after My Thyroid got sick. Now, I,m just used to it and it doesn't bother me anymore. I think it was either low iron or my new level of t3. If this is all the harm t3 could do to me, I can live with that. My concern is the long term not-known effects.
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