Time to add t3 (results)

[ali2341]

hi these are my latest results and im having a bit of a tough time losing weight, even with calories kept quite low 15-1600 calories a day im 111kg , is it time to add t3 as my t4 is top of range ? im taking 125 mcg of t4.

TSH- 0.688 (0.27 - 4.2. )

FT4: 20.9 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22) 89.00%

FT3: 5.3 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8) 59.46%

vitamins iv had near high range previous years and they dont really make a big difference to conversion.

[GlowCoach Administrator]

What time of day was this test?

When did you last take Levo before the test?

Based on those results you need a small Levo increase and getting vitamins to OPTIMAL which helps both conversion and helps your body to be able to use your thyroid hormone.

[ali2341 in reply to GlowCoach]

after i woke up and last levo was 24 hours before, i dont want to increase my t4 anymore as its already high

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to ali2341]

Its just its a lot simpler on Levo only and more readily available.

You're almost there with it and still have room to add 12.5mcgs. It could make all the difference along with vitamins at optimal.

If you've stopped taking vitamins you need them inparticular to be able to tolerate T3.

Have you had vitamins tested recently? If not then I suggest thats your next step.

[FallingInReverse in reply to GlowCoach]

ali2341 Hi Ali! I’ll add one more vote for taking another look at your vitamins.

Just as an example, there is one particular measure of iron - transferrin saturation percent - that if it’s not at a certain point (25%) then even the T3 you do have won’t be used effectively at the cellular level. Further, transferrin saturation should be 35-45% for optimal use of T3. I’ve read (I think here on this forum or in one of the links shared about interpreting iron panels) that traditionally T3 should only be started if your transferrin saturation is at least 25% because of this.

If you take the forums advice and test your latest vitamin levels, your ferritin will be a good indicator of whether you have sufficient iron for optimal thyroid health. The other key vitamins work in similar ways - you need them optimal for optimal thyroid function.

[ali2341 in reply to FallingInReverse]

my recent iron test was few months ago, and it was 108 ug/l (22.0 - 322.0)

[FallingInReverse in reply to ali2341]

You are only about 30% through the range. We aim for 55-70%.

Importantly though, serum iron itself can be quick moving … up and down. Personally I’ve seen it go from over 100% to under 0% in a couple months. And on a recommended iron supplement plan, I’ve seen it go from under 0% to well over 100% in the same time period.

That’s why a full iron panel is needed. No one measure of iron alone can tell you if you are anemic, if so - to what extent, and what you might do about it.

Most importantly, no iron treatment plan should be done without a full iron panel, and a commitment to test every 6-12 weeks. Over time, excess Iron is toxic and causes permanent, irreversible organ damage.

[greygoose]

Probably what's affecting your conversion is your low intake of calories. You need calories to convert. So going on a low-calorie diet to lose hypos weight - which probably isn't fat anyway - is shooting yourself in the foot, and your more likely to put weight on than lose it.

[Omze in reply to greygoose]

U r good 👍

[greygoose in reply to Omze]

Thank you.

[SilverSavvy in reply to greygoose]

I find this a very interesting observation. From time to time I have a really good go at calorie restriction in order to lose weight but all that happens is that my average daily heartrate drops like a stone (which I assume means my metabolism slows) and then I invariably put on weight. I also feel incredibly tired/non functional. It's gotten so bad that my husband begs me not to diet!

If I eat a fairly normal diet I can stay more stable, do more exercise and sometimes even lose weight. Feels so counterintuitive after a lifetime of trying to lose by calorie restriction but that's how it is for me now

[greygoose in reply to SilverSavvy]

Everything is counterintuitive when you're hypo. The usual rules do not apply.

[adin]

I noticed that as I increase the dose of levo, my belly/stomach swells more

[Gustie88]

Hi Ali-

To me those numbers actually look quite good. Sometimes chasing the perfect numbers can lead down a never-ending rabbit hole. Have you had your adrenal hormone levels checked? Thyroid and adrenals work together. Proper cortisol levels are needed for good thyroid function. Agree with GG that too low calorie intake isn't great for the endocrine system. Good Luck!

[Xcskier]

T3 made all the difference for my weight loss, which had been creeping up steadily while on T4 monotherapy, despite exercise and calorie restriction. It also alleviated symptoms I didn’t even know I had, until I started feeling better with T3. You may find you have to drop your T4 to tolerate the addition of T3 however.

I agree with the other respondents that taking supplements to aid conversion is important also.

If you want to do a deep dive into T3, I highly recommend looking through this website: thyroidpatients.ca/2019/01/...

[ali2341 in reply to Xcskier]

Thanks ye i been struggling with weight loss and mental health issues i think adding a bit of t3 might help

[ali2341 in reply to Xcskier]

by the way was your t3 in range when on t4 only ? how high in range ? as mine is 60~% but its still hard to lose weight

[Xcskier in reply to ali2341]

My T3 was midrange while on T4 monotherapy.