T3/T4

[Ralphetts]

Just a question if I can. Has anyone been told that T3 is the same as T4 medication? Your thoughts please as I am confused.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Whoever told you that didn't know what they were talking about.

T4 (Levo) is a storage hormone.

T3 is an active hormone that works immediately.

Completely different things.

[Marz]

Thankfully not - but still hard explaining the importance of FT3 testing and its role within the body...

Have you found the website - Thyroid Patients Canada ?

[Ralphetts in reply to Marz]

Thank you ! Will take a look.

[greygoose]

Yes, I was told that by a pharmacist. And she couldn't understand why I got angry!

They are not the same. They are both thyroid hormones but do different things. I do hope it wasn't a doctor that told you that!

[Ralphetts in reply to greygoose]

My GP and two Consultants no less !!! Just thought I would check with everybody as I did wonder if I might have got my facts mixed.

[greygoose in reply to Ralphetts]

Good heavens! That is shocking. Although one has to admit the possibility that they were just gas-lighting you because they didn't want too prescribe T3.

Getting a bit technical but T4 is converted into T3 by removing one atom of iodine from every molecule of T4. So, the difference is structure is just a matter of one atom of iodine. But the difference in what they do is enormous.

[Ralphetts in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. Yes, that was how I understood things. I've moved from the South with T3 under prescription (thank heavens as there would be no chance of getting it up here if I weren't) and quite honestly been treated like a pariah. Tried at every opportunity, so glad to have you all to keep me sane.

[greygoose in reply to Ralphetts]

you're welcome

[LAHs]

Yikes! You have encountered an idiot. Don't listen to anything else they tell you. Run, don't walk.

[Ralphetts in reply to LAHs]

Thank you ! It gets to the point where you begin to question your own mind. I got quite cross at the latest Consultant, which was quite brave of me!