I recently had a consultation with a lovely practitioner recommended by Tanya (who is fully booked) via a kind tip off from radd I am posting my query as I know Radd prefers this to PM’s, also interested to hear others views please.
All went okay (although didn’t learn anything new), but off the back of the consultation, the practitioner said she’d want me to have RT3 tested and the DI02 gene test to see if I convert properly - I explained my FT3 has always been at the top or just over range. I have read so much on here about how RT3 is a waste of time and I personally don’t think a gene conversion test is necessary given my high T3 and ratio prior to ever trialling any T3. I have read Seasidesusie’s and others posts about this. Happy to have relevant tests done, but only necessary tests, due to expense.
Alarm bells also rang as she hadn’t heard of CT3M and admitted she knew nothing about low cortisol:DHEA ratio (which I have and think could be part of the issue). I thought a neuropathic nutritionist specialising in thyroid and adrenals would definitely know about these things?
Could someone please confirm if my understanding is correct, before I sign up to months of practitioner costs. I need help for 19 years of chronic insomnia, and want to find someone very knowledgeable who can help me.
Thank you very much. 😊
Is there any point in testing for rT3, fT4,fT3?
How important is it to have a RT3 blood test?
Recent blood test, is it necessary to have RT3 test done if ratio T4/T3 is low?
’Borderline’ test results and GP advised treatment not necessary
CornishChick,
I agree RT3 and /or DIO2 shouldn’t need testing when FT3 levels are good. They are also expensive, especially RT3 which is also incredibly difficult to interpret . Have you asked why she thinks these tests are necessary and what she was hoping to achieve when FT3 levels are already adequate?
Tanya is not a thyroid specialist either and will generally go by the TSH but accepted my genetics showing impairments on TRH/TSH receptor and a gene connected with TSH signalling, so diminishing an all round normalised TSH response. I think these results are common on this forum.
I wouldn’t expect others without thyroid issues to have heard of CT3M. T3 and thyroid physiology aren’t even widely understood by conventional medicine who prescribe it, let alone the intricate influences T3 has on the adrenals circadian rhythm by a newly qualified(?) neuropathic nutritionist.
You approached Tanya for the DUTCH. Is this new practitioner well versed with the DUTCH? Have you read reviews about her or seen any recommendations apart from Tanya (who trained her). Is it worth waiting on Tanya’s waiting list if you don’t feel happy with the other one? But also remember Tanya can’t prescribe hormones either which initially seemed quite important to you.
I'm sorry you are having a hard time. It can be so difficult choosing where to place our focus and I still think a menopause clinic might suit your needs and expectations better, and some also offer the DUTCH.
Thank you very much for your view. I didn’t ask her on the consultation but will do when I reply to her email. She is advertised as a thyroid specialist and has had thyroid issues herself for years, so I thought she’d be fairly up on all thyroid and thyroid related issues.
My chronic insomnia started age 30, I went on to have children around age 40, I’m now 49 and have regular monthly periods. Whilst I am no doubt in the perimenopause stage, I don’t believe that is what has caused the last 19 years of insomnia, which has a very definite adrenal related pattern of waking at 1-2am and being unable to get back off. I also have classic signs of adrenal dysfunction with mid afternoon slump, brief energy at 5pm, then shattered in an evening.
She didn’t mention the Dutch test, so I brought it up and she said yes she can run that through. I think you’re right, I maybe better waiting for Tanya, who may have more experience, or menopause clinic if you think that’s what triggered my insomnia at age 30? I am fairly sure a stressful event age 30 is what triggered my adrenal insufficiency, but I am here to gain knowledge off brilliant people such as yourself, for which I am eternally grateful. Thank you so much Radd 😊
ps forgot to say she has glowing reviews on her website, but I can’t find any independent reviews. She was very lovely, but I’m not sure is fully equipped to tell me something I don’t already know.
Do you think it’s worth me having the gene test you mentioned above please? Thank you.
CC,
No, not unless thyroid hormone results never made sense. Mine are now balanced for several years but I still like investigating.
Sorry- I should have said Women’s Health Clinic as opposed to Menopause Clinic, although some might be able to help you too.
That’s brilliant, thank you so much. Sorry one last qn, are there any woman’s health clinics on the nhs or should I just go straight to private with a Dutch please?
If it were me in your shoes, I’d go private if you have the funding because you will wait months/years on the NHS and then be offered little understanding of our issues, and they don’t offer the DUTCH.