Dropping T3 Levels

[debsmitch60]

Hello all, Does anyone know while taking liothyronine 20mcg 3 times a day why it would just start dropping. It's now at 4.2 on the nhs scale.

I have also just been diagnosed with insulin resistance and tmy endo is going to start me on Metformin.

My consultant thinks that anytime anyone has a blood test for T3 that it goes up and down. I don't believe that as I take the blood test under the same conditions every time.

Sending hugs to everyone X

[GlowCoach Administrator]

The NHS has many labs and therefore many reference ranges. Its always required to quote the range if you could do that?

Are you tasking your tests in a standardised way - Last Levo 24hrs before test, last T3 8-12hrs before test, splitting dose the day before. Booking 9am or earlier test.

Be aware that Metformin can lower B12 level. How is your B12 level and what are you supplementing it with?

How are your other vitamin levels - ferritin, folate & D3?

[debsmitch60 in reply to GlowCoach]

Sorry I just found it and the range is 3.5–6.5 pmol/LI always do that for my T3 bloodtest.

I am low in all and supplementing with B12, D3 and folate.

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to debsmitch60]

So what about last dose timings for the blood test and how much T3 did you take then?

Are you saying you are low despite supplementing?

[debsmitch60]

I leave 12 hours between taking my liothyronine and the blood test. I always fast too. And i was taking lots of different vitamins but then got ill struggling to swallow so I stopped them for months. But then when I recently has vitamin tests I can see although they are in range, they are very low. So now I am just retaking the D3, B12 and ferritin. Sorry for not being clear. I now also have been diagnosed with parotid tumours on both sides and am waiting for another ultrasound scan with needle biopsy. I don't know whether these have anything to do with thyroid issues.

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to debsmitch60]

So FT3 is 61% of range, probably could be slightly higher. You could add another 5mg T3 and retest in 6-8 weeks.

Are you taking a B complex, as otherwise you arent getting any folate?

[Transalp in reply to GlowCoach]

If the range is 3.5-6.5 and they are at 4.2 then it’s 23% of range.

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to Transalp]

Yes you are correct. I must have input incorrectly.

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

low vitamin levels would affect thyroid levels

[dealsgap]

A lot of possibilities here, we need more information such as FT4/RT3/antibodies/etc. Obviously, your FT3 is low. It "could be" going to FT4 which means you aren't converting but we don't know what your FT4 is. Your RT3 # could be high which means RT3 could be blocking your FT3 receptors.

My consultant thinks that anytime anyone has a blood test for T3 that it goes up and down. I don't believe that as I take the blood test under the same conditions every time. Your consultant doesn't know what's going (which makes me question other "information" that he/she is giving you) on and you are correct.

I have also just been diagnosed with insulin resistance and my endo is going to start me on Metformin. Have they checked your for hypoadrenia which can mimic hypoglycemia. If your adrenals are shot (the adrenals work hand in hand with the thyroid) and you are in adrenal fatigue, then they aren't producing enough cortisol. Cortisol is needed to open the cells for T3 to enter just like insulin opens the cells for glucose to enter. Both T3/Glucose give you energy this is why both (as stated/hypoadrenia/hypoglycemia) mimic each other/symptoms. The only way to know which you have is to test both (saliva cortisol test (not a blood test) for hypoadrenia and a/any typical A1C test for hypoglycemia.

I am low in all and supplementing with B12, D3 and folate. How much B12/D3/Folate are you currently taking daily?