The affect of illness on T3 absorption

[Rainbow47]

I read somewhere that it’s very common for someone with Hashimoto’s to have a poor absorption rate of T3 if they are ill in any way. In my case I currently have a virus contracted from my husband. It’s one of those viruses where you know you’re ill - going hot and cold and getting very dehydrated very quickly. Initially I thought it was a thyroid thing but it’s just how my husband was feeling too.

Yesterday my symptoms turned into low T3 ones - particularly anxiety and depression, which are my main thyroid ones. I’m pretty convinced it’s low T3 as I have more or less stabilised and was starting to feel better. Can anyone back me up on this as the thought of having to go back to the drawing board is not a good one?! Taking my temperature is not helpful as there is a certain amount of on and off fever.

I know I’ll probably have to just sit it out but it’s an interesting thought. The other thing, if that’s the case, is can you temporarily top up the T3 a little bit to make life more comfortable? An interesting thought.

Would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you!

[golfmargaret]

Yes, it’s my experience that stress, illness or overwork (physical or mental) and cold weather can affect levels of t3.

[greygoose]

I don't know about affecting absorption, I've never read that, but it will affect conversion of T4 to T3 - which will, of course, lower FT3 levels.

But this happens for a reason: to force you to rest whilst you recuperate and recover. Taking T3 would defeat that purpose - although it might not help, anyway, because the effects of T3 are not instantanious.

[Rainbow47 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you Greygoose - maybe it was conversion and not absorption that I had read about somewhere. What you say certainly makes more sense. I’m on 50 mcg T4 and 56.25 mcg T3 - predominately T3, I’m a poor converter so assume that the T3 is doing most of the work!

There’s still so much to learn! It would be interesting to hear other experiences.

Thanks again.

[greygoose in reply to Rainbow47]

Yes, you haven't got much to convert, have you. So, who knows.

[Bertwills]

Hi, my husband and I have been suffering from a virus for 2 weeks now. Damn thing keeps starting up again each time I think I’m feeling better, next day symptoms again.

I slightly topped up my T3 as I think I remember low T3 levels were a feature of severe Covid. We’ve both tested negative but I was feeling so weak with ankles swelling that I thought it could only help. Back to normal dose of 60mcg T3 now. No obvious ill effects so maybe try a tiny increase for a few days.

[Rainbow47 in reply to Bertwills]

Thanks Bertwills - I’m a little better now but my mornings are hellish - I’m sure it’s low T3 causing the problem since the virus began but who knows? I don’t want to take a dose in the night in case it interferes with cortisol. I’ve bumped up my midday dose a little bit and felt much better yesterday afternoon. I could always try an earlier dose I suppose. Hoping the virus is on its way out now!

[Bertwills]

I take a third of my dose in the evening to protect levels overnight ever since I read here that T3 is highest in the early morning.

It might help or it might not. We’re all different!

[Rainbow47 in reply to Bertwills]

Going by my temperature my T3 is definitely at its lowest in the morning - 36.4° then doesn’t go up to 36.8 until midday. I think natural T3 is supposed to spike in the early hours, but I’m no expert!! What time at night do you take your third dose? I take mine at 7 pm.