T4 high range advice please

[Pebbles33]

Hi

I’m just looking for some advice please these are my latest results. As you will see T4 always seems to be in the higher range whilst T3 the lower end of the range. Just wondering if a small amount of Liothyronine were to be added how does it actually work? For example would it raise T3 whilst lowering T4? I’ve been told that my vitamin and Ferritin levels are now within an excellent range.

I am due to see a private GP at the end of March but would just like to know the facts beforehand. Especially as I’m a little nervous about potential side effects if I were to incorporate some T3 i.e. racing heart and anxiety (particularly as I’ve had these side effects from T4) . How common is this likely to be?

Thank you in advance.

[pennyannie]

Hello Pebbles :

When taking T4 - Levothyroxine we generally feel best when the T4 is up in the top quadrant of it range with the T3 tracking just behind at around 60/70% through it's range.

Currenty your T4 is at around 80% with your T3 tracking behind at just 25% through its range so showing you struggling to convert well the T4 into T3 which is the active hormone that runs all your bodily functions.

Put another way - the accepted conversion ratio when on T4 only is said to be 1 / 3.50-4.50 T3/T4 with most people feeling at their best when they come in this ratio at 4 or under -- so if I divide your T3 into your T4 your conversion ratio is coming in at just over 5 - showing poor conversion of T4 into T3.

No thyroid hormone works well until your core strength vitamins and minerals are up and maintained at optimal -

Do you have any readings / ranges for ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D ?

Conversion can also be compromised by inflammation, antibodies, any physiological stress ( emotional or physical ) depression, dieting and ageing.

There is no mention on your profile as to the reason for your hypothyroidism - or have I missed something ?

Adding a little T3 to your prescription might well be the answer once your core strength is strong and solid and adding T3 shouldn't cause these presumed side effects you mention, if introduced slow and low.

[McPammy]

Think it can depend individually really. I feel best when my T3 is 80% through its range and T4 about 40% through its range. And that’s ‘with’ taking my T3 and T4 medications 2hrs previously. My TSH is usually around 1.0. I like to keep in range to mirror a persons thyroid bloods that doesn’t have any thyroid diseases. I feel healthy and energised with those levels.

[Will_blue]

Hello Pebbles

I'm not going to be much help other than to say my T4/T3 results are very similar to yours. I have been through the loop of raising T4 to try & increase T3 but ended up with palpatations & T4 at the absolute top of range so I reduced it back slightly. T3 did not move very much. My cholesterol is 7, my ferritin is mid range but someone suggested here to get a full iron panel done which indicated low iron & low transferrin saturation, even though ferritin OK. The iron situation seems a little complex and I'm just reading through some recent references given here to try & get my head around that.

I too am contemplating adding T3. I have an appointment with a private endo in June. Like you, I'm nervous due to previous experience with high T4, the palpatations made me very uncomfortable. I am hoping to start very slowly.

If you do introduce T3 I would very much appreciate any feedback. If not - I will let you know how I get on.

[Pebbles33 in reply to Will_blue]

Hi Will_Blue sorry to hear that you’re struggling to. Yes our thyroid health doe seem very similar. The palpitations are really scary aren’t they and raised Cholesterol an ongoing concern especially when you do your best to take care of yourself. My appointment is coming up this week with the Private Endo so I will let you know how I get on 😊