On T3 with results as T4 - 0.4 and TSH - 0.85

[sunflower102]

Hello

Can anyone help to interpret these results please? I feel ok but doctor thinks t4 may be too low even though it is lower when on t3. Thanks.

[PinkNinja]

How do you feel? What is your T3 result?

Many people do very well on T3 only and a low T4 is to be expected. It looks like your thyroid is doing very little itself as your T4 is very low. If you are not feeling right on T3 only, you could try to include some T4 but take it well away from the T3 to avoid conversion to reverse T3. Taking T3 morning and during the day and then T4 at night seems to work quite well.

If you are having trouble converting T4 then there is little point adding it at this stage. If this conversion problem is due to cortisol levels, or you need T3 only due to a build up of reverse T3, T3 only is the best treatment. Once things settle down, which can often happen, you might find you can safely add T4 with no problems.

It really is an individual thing as to what works best for each patient. It would be wise to get your T3 tested too though, given that you are taking T3.

I hope I haven't confused things. Perhaps someone will come up with a better answer

Carolyn x

[sunflower102 in reply to PinkNinja]

Hi Carolyn

Many thanks for prompt reply! I have taken 20 mcg of T3 twice daily for many years as T4 seemed to give me palpitations and I feel so much better on T3 only. Following a recent blood test my doctor said that she had not seen a T4 reading so low (0.4). I am really well so have no concerns unless I maybe need to have!

They will not test T3 in this area which I can never understand.Thanks! Amanda

[moatie in reply to sunflower102]

Hi Sunflower, just checking how you got on? I've been in T3 only for 5 years and my t4 is (0.4) too and I've not been well. Did you add T4? Are you still on t3 only? Thanks K