Help Please! Could I have T4 to T3 conversion p... - Thyroid UK

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Help Please! Could I have T4 to T3 conversion problem, also adrenal advice.

TJM3 profile image
TJM3
12 Replies

Hi,

My name is Tracy and I am new to this site so please bear with me. I need help as I do not know what to do. I was diagnosed hypo about 11 years ago after radiotherapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma some 23 years ago, and also fibro 15 years ago. Since then I have tried T3 which made me ill, don't know if I took it in the right way and ended up taking after a lot of trial and error 75mcg Thyroxine, which has been ok, but still not as good as I used to be, still have some pain. I also found I had an adrenal problem, so I tried NAX which didn't suit me so I now use Mineral Check Adrenal Complex, which is Ok, I also tried HC, it didn't help and ended up on Prednisolone 5mg, which I don't like taking, but it has done the job. By the way, if anyone else is taking it and getting it from the internet it has just gone up in price by $1,000.00, I nearly fell of my chair, I questioned it with them and they said the price of $1,086.00 was correct as it has gone through the roof. There is no way I can afford it anymore so I have to come off it, has anyone else had the experience of coming off prednisolone as I would appreciate some advice as to what I can take to help.

As for the thyroxine, I have been feeling unwell again since November, up until then I wasn't too bad. I had some tests done and my TSH is 0.17 in 0.27 - 4.2 range, FT4 is 19.7 in 12-22 range and FT3 is 4.6 in 3.1-6.8 range. They advised that I am hyper, but I have some hypo symptoms, my temperature is running at 36.2c average, I am tired, my feet are cold, dry skin and bad nails the usual stuff and I just don't feel right. I am jittery and sometimes do feel hyper, I just can't work it out. I am waiting for Vit D results to come through to see if this has anything to do with it. Could it be a conversion problem, has anyone else had the same experience?

Sorry it is so long winded, any help would be really appreciated, also is there a list of good private doctors?

Many thanks and good health to all.

Tracy X

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greygoose profile image
greygoose

Hi Tracy, if it's any consolation, I can assure you that you are not hyper! What they are saying is that your TSH is slightly out of range, but that is of absolutely no consequence. Your FT3 is far too low for you to be hyper, it isn't even mid-range. In fact, your FT3 is far too low. Most people find they need it up near the top of the range - or even slightly over - to feel well.

Do you have a conversion problem? Quite possibly a slight one, you would probably do better taking a little T3. IMHO, anyway.

Hugs, Grey

TJM3 profile image
TJM3 in reply togreygoose

Hi Grey,

Thank you for getting back to me, I wondered about taking T3, but I don't know how much to take and whether to reduce my thyroxine as last time I tried I was quite ill with it, but it does look like I need it then. I didn't realise it needed to be in the upper end of the range to feel well. I wonder how long it has been low for, that could answer some of my problems.

About the prednisolone, I buy it online, where do you get yours from please? as that is a huge difference in price.

Take care.

Tracy x

Edited slightly by Admin so that it conforms with site guidelines not to post details of where to obtain prescription only meds without a prescription.

Clarebear profile image
Clarebear

I agree wit GG that you are not over-medicated. I need my fT3 to be about 5.8 (3,1-6.8) to feel well. It does look as though you could have a conversion problem an could benefit from some T3. Xx

TJM3 profile image
TJM3 in reply toClarebear

Hi Clarebear,

Thanks, I think you are right, but when you have all sorts of symptoms going on you don't know what to do for the best. I suppose the only way is to experiment with it.

Take care

Tracy x

Clarebear profile image
Clarebear in reply toTJM3

If you found you couldn't tolerate synthetic T3, I wonder if you might feel better on NDT? I am taking Armour and feel so much better :) xx

TJM3 profile image
TJM3 in reply toClarebear

I tried Armour a few years ago and didn't get on very well with it, but

at the time my adrenals were in a very bad way and I had terrible candida.

Maybe it is worth trying again, it's just knowing the right thing to do.

I have just seen information about the ct3m method, I am now wondering if that could answer my problems. It can drive you potty trying to find the right

treatment! Oh well, keep smiling xx

Clarebear profile image
Clarebear in reply toTJM3

I really struggled with Armour until I adopted the CT3M last summer (5 months after starting Armour). It made a huge difference to me and I am now feeling pretty well on 2.5 grains :) xx

TJM3 profile image
TJM3 in reply toClarebear

That's great! I am really pleased the CT3M is working for you. I tried Armour some years ago, but I had trouble with it the same as T3, I do think it was my adrenals at the time, so it may be worth giving it a go now.

The CT3M really interests me as it could really improve the adrenals, which is what I need. I will keep you posted when I pluck up the courage to try it.

Keep healthy:-) xx

greygoose profile image
greygoose

Hi TJM, I'll PM you.

TJM3 profile image
TJM3 in reply togreygoose

That's great, thank you!

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TJM3 profile image
TJM3 in reply to

Hi,

My apologies, I am new to this and just forgot.

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