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Another Thyroid Thread

Roda

By Roda
in Related Issues & Disorders

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Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted

I was doing some reading and wanted to know a little more about RT3 testing. I never realized what it actually was or meant until today. The more I read the more I'm convinced I need this looked into. When I first started with my current endocrinologist she made comment that I didn't convert the T4 adequately to T3 so she put me on cytomel in addition to my levothyroxine. For the most part I have always had to go up in my dosage of T4 to keep symptoms at bay over the years. I'm beginning to think I have a reverse T3 problem and plan to discuss this with her next month. If so, then I want to inqire about treating it with T3 meds only instead of the combo. I'll leave all the testing to be done at her office, since everytime I have something "out of the ordinary" my lab for my insurance seems to get things wrong. I know others on here are having issues with thyroid and not being able to get things just right so I thought I would share some info. Here are some links I was reading:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Edit: I am interested in hearing from anyone that has tried the T3 only.

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cassP Contributor
cassP
Posted

thanks for the links... will study them later after work.

i felt absolutely worse on the T4 alone- and luckily found a good endo who put me on a combo which made all the difference. from everything ive been researching: most women do no convert the T4 to T3 as adequately as men do. i also just found out that i have Grave's in addition to the Hashimoto's.. and maybe THAT is why i felt so bad on just T4.

i suggested to my Endo on the last visit about possibly only taking T3 (as i have seen some members on here do)- and she wasnt thrilled about it... but maybe with the Grave's dx, things will change? but i dont know..

and my next 2 labs ive got have the RT3 test added to my thyroid panel- im so happy she put it on there- it may help us understand me even more... cause this has been quite a bumpy ride :( im now on 60mg Armour, which i dont feel is quite enough... and yet this morning even before i took my pills i was having palpitations :(

burdee Enthusiast
burdee
Posted

I was doing some reading and wanted to know a little more about RT3 testing. I never realized what it actually was or meant until today. The more I read the more I'm convinced I need this looked into. When I first started with my current endocrinologist she made comment that I didn't convert the T4 adequately to T3 so she put me on cytomel in addition to my levothyroxine. For the most part I have always had to go up in my dosage of T4 to keep symptoms at bay over the years. I'm beginning to think I have a reverse T3 problem and plan to discuss this with her next month. If so, then I want to inqire about treating it with T3 meds only instead of the combo. I'll leave all the testing to be done at her office, since everytime I have something "out of the ordinary" my lab for my insurance seems to get things wrong. I know others on here are having issues with thyroid and not being able to get things just right so I thought I would share some info. Here are some links I was reading:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Edit: I am interested in hearing from anyone that has tried the T3 only.

I've been on T3 only for over 2 months. I take 5 mcg generic liothyronine 2x daily (when I first get up and one hour after lunch). Here's how we decided T3 only worked best for me:

After my initial thyroid tests showed I had high TSH and low normal range T4, my doc started me on 50 mcg Levoxyl. I had read that T4 takes awhile to improve my hypothyroid symptoms (chronic constipation, fatigue, low body temperature, etc.). However after 2 months I only noticed slight increase in temperature and energy and no improvement in regularity. So my doc told me to increase my T4 (Levoxyl) from 50 to 75 mcg. After 3 days I had strong hyperthyroid symptoms (palpitations, overheating) but STILL no improvement in regularity.

So I requested tests for total T3, total T4, free T3, free T4, TPOab (thyroid perioxidase which indicates Hashimoto's antibodies) and TSH. Those tests showed that my TSH was low normal, my T4 results were normal, but my total and free T3 were very low and TPOab was high normal. So my doctor agreed (with my suspicion) that I don't easily convert T4 to T3.

Then I added T3 (10 mcg daily) to my 50 mcg of T4 and did well (felt warmer, more energetic and no constiption). However, I later began taking Low Dose Naltrexone (which improves immunity and autoimmune conditions). Then I experienced more hyperthyroid reactions, because the LDN lowered my need for thyroid hormone (by decreasing Hashimoto's antibodies). So we decided to just eliminate the T4 and stay on T3. I'm doing well on T3 only now.

cassP Contributor
cassP
Posted

SUE- i had YOU in mind when i asked my Endo if she would ever consider having me on T3 only... and tho, she's very nice, and openminded, she didnt like the sound of that.

my T3 & T4 numbers were GREAT when i was dx. (only my TSH off at 11.39)... and when i went on Synthroid ONLY- my T4 raised slightly and my T3 went down... and i felt manic.

when we added the Cytomel- my T3 went back to a high number.

eatmeat4good Enthusiast
eatmeat4good
Posted

Thanks to all of you for yet another "Thyroid Thread".

I found each of your posts very informative and helpful and I am grateful for the information.

  • 1 month later...
maile Newbie
maile
Posted

I've been on T3 alone since May 2010 and feel far better than on a T4/T3 combo (natural or synthetic)25 mg of T3 is supposedly equivalent to 1 grain of natural dessicated thyroid.

www.holtorfmed.com is another spot that discusses RT3 and how to treat

if you suspect you have RT3 or thyroid resistance you may also want to check out "hypo-pituitary" as well as the two can be related.

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted
  • Author

It's been almost two weeks and I'm still waiting on my results of a barrage of blood work my endocrinologist ordered. Even if everything comes back alright we discussed changing my t4/t3 dosage around with less t4 and more t3. It's not that uncommon with this doctor to wait this long for results. Hopefully this week I'll know something...

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