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.
Written by
ali2341
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
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 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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.