Converting

[foxglove]

How does one know if one is converting?

[PurpleNails Administrator]

You test thyroid function - FT4 & FT3 and you look at the % they fall in range.

If FT4 is high eg 60% through range but FT3 is 10% through range, conversion is poor.

If they are more balanced eg FT4 60% & FT3 50% conversion is good. Is usual for FT3 to be lower in % than FT4.

[foxglove in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank, I am poor at maths. FT4 10.3, FT3 5.7 Would you or some kind person do the maths for me? Thanks

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to foxglove]

Please add range

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to PurpleNails]

thyroid.dopiaza.org

Useful calculator to work out %

Found range in previous post.

FT4 10.6 (range 12-22)

FT4: 10.6 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22) -14.00%

FT3 5.7 ( range 3.1-6.8)

FT3: 5.7 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8) 70.27%

So you FT3 is ok. Your FT4 is below range. It’s Usually FT3 level which governs most symptoms & some are not troubled by low FT4 if FT3 good but many need good FT4 levels too. Do you have symptoms?

What replacement do you take? Conversion is only relevant if you take T4 only - then it has to be converted . How did you test, timings of dose, time of day and fasting?

[foxglove in reply to PurpleNails]

I take thyroid-s ...did not realise one had to be on levo only to convert....sorry

[Jazzw in reply to foxglove]

I wouldn’t say it isn’t relevant. Even in those of us who take a combi dose of T4 and T3, usually some of the T4 is converted to T3.

But it does make it difficult to work out. I suppose you might be able to guess by how much T3 you need (in addition to T4) to take to feel “normal”. Presumably those who achieve good levels of FT3 on relatively low amounts of T3 are doing better at converting the T4 they take?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Foxglove

According to your previous post you take NDT:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

You cannot work out conversion when taking a thyroid hormone replacement that contains T3 as NDT does. You can only see what natural conversion you have when on Levo only (T4 only), once you add in T3 in any form it's impossible and irrelevant due to the exogenous T3.

In your previous post it was suggested that you try an increase in your NDT. Have you done that?

[foxglove in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for reply, I have increased dose by 1/4 thyroid-s I think now I was advised to increase by another quarter after a bit, but can't remember when. You maybe can explain...sorry I'm a bit dozy !

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to foxglove]

If you re-read your other post then another member explained how to increase. I don't take NDT so can't advise. The link to your other post is in my reply above.

[foxglove in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks will retest thyroid soon and then decide if I need more med. I never feel any different no matter what dose I'm on. Would like to get this "buzz" that some seem to get!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to foxglove]

I'm on Levo plus T3 and I don't get a buzz either, I just plod along, same old, same old 🙄

[foxglove in reply to SeasideSusie]

Know the feeling! - ha-ha.

[Jazzw in reply to SeasideSusie]

A buzz. If only.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jazzw]

Yep, would be nice wouldn't it 😊