Due to see endocrinologist on Wednesday. Not seen one since I was 20 and I’m 62.
GP results and blue horizon the same for tsh and free t4 ie 1.1 tsh (0.27-4.2) and ft4 21.4 (12-22). Done early, no thyroxine etc.
The blue horizon test gives ft3 as 3.7(31.-6.8) which is a reduction from 4.4 in March. Am I right in thinking that this is 54% of max and a conversion rate of 5.78.
On this basis is it worth insisting that I be given a trial of t3? I don’t think there’s any research around how this might interact with my targeted cancer meds that affect cell division and my spinal mets are stable. Hard to separate hypo symptoms from cancer therapy but I’m def. constipated since t4 reduction as meds usually gave me diarrhoea and my Nails constantly break. Hair doesn’t grow and No energy but that maybe therapy too. My ccg does show t3 prescribing but it’s all changed with new NHS structures. I tried to get referral to salford to t3 supportive endos but that hasn’t happened.
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The blue horizon test gives ft3 as 3.7(31.-6.8) which is a reduction from 4.4 in March. Am I right in thinking that this is 54% of max and a conversion rate of 5.78.
No, a result of 3.7 with a range of 3.1-6.8 gives a percentage through range of 16.22%
Hello seaside susie - thank you. My vit results were all ok except folate was in range but suboptimal. My vit d is in range but stays on low side no matter how much in way of extra supplements and lots of sunshine.
so you would need an increase from the 1,000iu D3 daily, plus magnesium (which helps the body convert D3 into it's usable form) and Vit K2-MK7 (directs calcium to bones and teeth where it's needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems, taking D3 increases absorption of calcium from food, plus you take a calcium supplement).
If all nutrient levels are considered good then I see no reason why a trial of T3 should not be offered but you can check interactions with Drugbank here:
My d3 intake is 1400 units daily due to extra in calcium tabs) plus good diet and sunshine. Magnesium came back as 0.92 (0.66-0.99). But I will double my vit d tabs to get daily 2400 units to see what difference it makes.
Testing magnesium is unreliable. About 99% of magnesium is stored in bone, muscles and soft tissues, leaving about 1% in the blood. So testing what's in the blood isn't giving an accurate picture of our magnesium status. I'm not really sure why Blue Horizon include this test.
A red cell magnesium test is the better indicator of magnesium status, not the standard serum magnesium test, it's an expensive test and needs phlebotomy so wont be included in any test bundle.
I wasn’t aware of that so many thanks. My bone meds may increase rate of calcium and I guess magnesium loss too. Also a few of my rbc measurements are off and indicate anaemia or more folate.
The accepted conversion ratio when on T4 monotherapy is said to be 1 / 3.50 - 4.50 T3/T4 with most people feeling at their best when they come in at around 4 or under:
So, yes your conversion ratio is coming in very wide from the centre ground and showing poor conversion of T4 into T3 - which is the active hormone that runs your body.
Generally speaking we tend to feel at our best when our T4 is up in, or towards, the top quadrant of its range as this should, in theory convert to be good level of T3.
Your T4 is at almost 100% through it's range whilst your T3 is just some 6 % through it's range, and the logical solution is to rebalance your T3 and T4 into around a 1/4 ratio T3/T4 by reducing your T4 medication a little and adding in a little T3 - Liothyronine thyroid hormone.
A fully functioning working thyroid would be supporting you in a daily basis with trace elements of T1. T2 and calcitonin plus a measure of T3 said to be at around 10 mcg plus a measure of T4 said to be at around 10 mcg.
T3 is said to be around 4 times more powerful than T4 so by having ' lost ' your thyroid you have in effect been down regulated by around 20% of your overall wellbeing.
The thyroid is a major gland and responsible for full body synchronisation, it is the body's engine, and monitors and regulates your physical, mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual well being, your inner central heating system and your metabolism.
No thyroid hormone works well until you ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D are up, and maintained at optimal levels and this is another area that you likely need to supplement as just being in the NHS range somewhere is not acceptable as we need optimal levels for effective conversion of any thyroid hormone replacement.
I appreciate it's difficult working out what symptoms are related to what but I think your T3 at this seriously low level will be an obvious culprit.
Some people can get by on T4 only :
Some people find after a period of time, they need the addition of a little T3 to rebalance their thyroid hormones, and take a T3/T4 combo:
Some people can't tolerate T4 at all and need to take T3 only :
Whilst other people feel better taking Natural Desiccated Thyroid which contains all the same known hormones as that of the human gland, derived from pigs thyroid dried and ground down into tablets which are referred to as grains. NDT was the original successful treatment for hypothyroidism for over 100 years prior to Big Pharma launching, on the back of NDT, their own thyroid hormone replacement medications in around the 1950/60's.
Sorry what I meant was: When taking NDT Natural thyroid the ratio is 4 : 1 that is 39 mcg of T4 and 9 mcg of T3 plus two small amount of other stuff. A human thyroid is approx 100 mcg T4 thyroxine. to 10 mcg of T3, the ratios are different. I hope this explains it better.
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