Boosting FT4 to FT3 conversion?

allergictodiets

I have just found out that even though my TSH is very low and FT4 "normal" I am on my lifetime - low with FT3. Switching to natural drugs and / or T3/T4 combo is not an option ( no doctor will prescribe it here ), so I am looking for suggestions for boosting the conversion with food / supplements / lifestyle changes. Do you have any suggestions? So far I found the following online:
* get enough sleep
* reduce stress
* supplement with Vit D, Zinc, Selenium, Vit B complex, Omega 3
* supplement with L-Thyrosine ( has anyone tried it??? )
* go vegan / GF / Paleo / Autoimmune - Paleo etc.
What helped you?

editorgrrl

The only thing that helped me was taking Cytomel (liothyronine) in addition to Synthroid (levothyroxine). It took me a year & a half to persuade my endocrinologist—he's anti-Cytomel & anti-Armour (natural thyroid).

My T3 was extremely low, but I was sleeping up to 10 hours a night. So you can cross #1 off your list!

allergictodiets

I think the reasoning behind "sleep more" was that lack of sleep can lead to inflammation which in turn can hamper the conversion.
Not good, but thanks for your input anyway.

lindsey1979

Gosh, that's really rough, and really upsetting to hear that they won't prescribe any T3, in either synthetic or ndt. Wow. I unfortunately don't have anything to add to the list.

Would you consider seeing a doctor remotely? I'm not sure where you are, but if you're in the US anywhere, you can have a doc consult from another state. I currently do that with my thyroid as the three local thyroid specialists weren't accepting new patients. He works with my PCP for the physical things -- labs, physical exams, etc. -- then reviews the results and we talk once every six months at this point to discuss the results and any changes in symptoms or medication. If you're in another country, I don't know if that can be done, but it may be worth investigating if it's a possibility.

allergictodiets

I live in Germany @lindsey1979 so unfortunately it is not an option. Oh well, I will just wait and see what the doc says ( I have an appointment at the end of May ).

Fuzzipeg

Allergicto is in mainland Europe. I'm on the broken lumpy bit off to the side surrounded by water and about to disappear without a trace tomorrow, if you listen to the politicians and news reporters here.

We both have problems with the powers that be, relating to hypothyroidism, Hashi does not require any special treatment. The policy probably initiated by the EU and pontificated by NICE for the UK tells us the only treatment is t4 based on tsh. Finito.

There is a conspiracy. Perhaps I should say, there seems to be a conspiracy, to keep us under performing, under optimum health and under medicated, as an underclass, even if you manage to achieve a diagnosis with all symptoms bells whistles and bows our doctors are not permitted to act out of the given order. Remote consultations are probably illegal because international boundaries will be crossed. We can educate ourselves to know all the tests we should have. Our diet, we are told "makes no difference to how our bodies work". We do not need to know if we have vitamin or mineral deficiencies because trying to address these issues is a "waste of time". 5+ years ago I refused the toxic levo pills I was given which made me more ill. To achieve the hypo-allergenic ones I needed the Ige response. SS or SI does not do allergy reactions it is too simple. I have kids liquid. If I had not refused to leave without this I would have been forced to face the consequences of going untreated again.

Now that Thyroid UK, recognise Maize starch, (that is corn on the cob and in all its other guises including corn syrup, gravy thickener and substitute for fat to make low calorie foods palatable, in my experience), to be a possible indicator of thyroid problems, they, the NHS still insist on using it as a filler/binder in the only freely available t4 pills and many many more.

If you do take Oriental supplements under the direction of an appropriately qualified physician and you declare this on the official test form, this information is struck off by the receptionist when you attend for the blood to be drawn. It happened to me.

I have a couple of additional health issues which should indicate the need to review my t3 conversion ability. Salicylate intolerance which blocks or reduces the ability to make the t3 change and is dismissed by the endocrinologist as allergy when its a toxicity from many vegetative foods and the environment, just like aspirin or chewing on a willow twig. The other is slightly thick blood not genetic nor enough to treat because it is such an invasive and repetitive procedure. Thick blood can impair the few t3 available to penetrate the cell. I drink water like a fish so my system should be awash.

I have requested a second opinion. The doctor I've ended up with concedes his ignorance of SS and I have to respect him for this as well as his being "hog tied" by the SYSTEM, too. Many doctors are taking early retirement here and I for one do not blame them. They are charged with, "DO NO HARM". Salicylate intolerance has been known to 200 or more years but it is not on their syllabus. Are thyroid and basic endocrine systems? Many think they are fit to take the simple view.

I hope to hear in about three weeks if my cause will be successful. (NOT) My choice then is stick with it, give in to not being able to enjoy life for fear of contamination by salicylate on others in perfumes or laundry residue forget the plants in the neighbours gardens, or go private, if I can afford it, not every one can, or leave the country where we have the wonderful free at the point of need NHS! As long as you can be crammed like a round peg into the proverbial "square hole" of Thyroid malfunctions.

In theory we can have the natural but we can't import it because we probably can't achieve the script from anyone. Forget it was the treatment of choice when I was born into the young NHS promised free health care from the cradle to the grave.

Allergic to. Any of the above ideas you list may help. I really hope you achieve good health long before you reach 65 as I am. The problem is not us. As always, It is the system. NEVER EVER GIVE UP.

lindsey1979

I don't know if this is much help, but I found this resource in Germany:

http://dearthyroid.org/resources/german-thyroid-patient-resources/

I figure these resources may be able to put you in touch with a doctor in Germany who will write a script for NDT.