More than a TSH Test
kkauz42
Posts: 537 Member
Over the past few days I have done more and more research about hypothyroidism because I have been so symptomatic but my levels are "normal." Those levels are my TSH levels but I really think I need to get my T3 levels tested. I am about 99% sure that my T3 levels have been low for the past 3 or so years since I have been diagnosed. My docs have done some changes with my Levothyroxine but I think there needs to be more done for me.
In my browsing I came across Hypothyroid Mom, a hypothyroid advocate on Facebook . There is a lot of great information including international Dr. lists for hypothyroidism! I came across this post by a reader and everything made SO much more sense to me!
"A reader wrote: Most people will need a combination T4 and T3 containing medication. Now, let’s think about this for a minute. A healthy thyroid gland produces two main hormones: T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triidothyronine). So, all of us that do not have thyroid disease are producing, from the thyroid gland, T4 and T3. If that is what our thyroid gland would do if it is healthy, wouldn’t we want to try to mimic that with medication? Unfortunately, that only rarely happens. Nearly every newly diagnosed patient will be started on Synthroid (generic name Levothyroxine). This medication only contains T4 and ZERO T3. T3 regulates metabolic function, body temperature, body fat, cholesterol, mental function and energy while T4 is more or less a storage form of the hormone that needs to be converted to T3 in order for it to be used by the body. The theory is that the body will be able to adequately convert T4 into T3 to be used, but recent research has shown that T4-only supplementation often does not allow for adequate conversion to T3 and therefore many patients still feel lousy."
After reading this and several peoples "testimonies" I felt such relief! I have been miserably tired, cold, trouble losing weight...well it's been pretty much impossible for me even when my diet is on point and I am exercising, and I feel like I gain weight when I look at food! I'm not a crazy person because I am having these symptoms! It's most likely that I am lacking T3 and I need a replacement because my Levothyroxine isn't supplementing my T3! I am really hoping that my Doc gives me a full panel thyroid test which contains Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, thyroid antibodies, adrenals, ferritin and D3. If my Doc doesn't oblige I am going to go to a Naturopathic Dr. I found on one of the International patient-recommended thyroid doctor list which is here http://www.thyroidchange.org/list-of-doctors.html
I hope some of you get some new info that you didn't have before, I know it has helped me A LOT!
In my browsing I came across Hypothyroid Mom, a hypothyroid advocate on Facebook . There is a lot of great information including international Dr. lists for hypothyroidism! I came across this post by a reader and everything made SO much more sense to me!
"A reader wrote: Most people will need a combination T4 and T3 containing medication. Now, let’s think about this for a minute. A healthy thyroid gland produces two main hormones: T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triidothyronine). So, all of us that do not have thyroid disease are producing, from the thyroid gland, T4 and T3. If that is what our thyroid gland would do if it is healthy, wouldn’t we want to try to mimic that with medication? Unfortunately, that only rarely happens. Nearly every newly diagnosed patient will be started on Synthroid (generic name Levothyroxine). This medication only contains T4 and ZERO T3. T3 regulates metabolic function, body temperature, body fat, cholesterol, mental function and energy while T4 is more or less a storage form of the hormone that needs to be converted to T3 in order for it to be used by the body. The theory is that the body will be able to adequately convert T4 into T3 to be used, but recent research has shown that T4-only supplementation often does not allow for adequate conversion to T3 and therefore many patients still feel lousy."
After reading this and several peoples "testimonies" I felt such relief! I have been miserably tired, cold, trouble losing weight...well it's been pretty much impossible for me even when my diet is on point and I am exercising, and I feel like I gain weight when I look at food! I'm not a crazy person because I am having these symptoms! It's most likely that I am lacking T3 and I need a replacement because my Levothyroxine isn't supplementing my T3! I am really hoping that my Doc gives me a full panel thyroid test which contains Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, thyroid antibodies, adrenals, ferritin and D3. If my Doc doesn't oblige I am going to go to a Naturopathic Dr. I found on one of the International patient-recommended thyroid doctor list which is here http://www.thyroidchange.org/list-of-doctors.html
I hope some of you get some new info that you didn't have before, I know it has helped me A LOT!
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Replies
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A really nicely done double-blind study in Denmark showed that 49% of patients on combination synthetic T4 and T3 therapy felt much better than when they were on T4 alone. It's published in the peer-reviewed European Journal of Endocrinology, December 2009, and the full text pdf is available for free online, if you'd like to read it:
eje-online.org/content/161/6/895.full.pdf
It's a really nice reference, and includes specific dosing information in their methods section. A very worthwhile reference, especially to bring in to endocrinologists who might need a bit of peer-reviewed published research in order to be convinced that it is worthwhile to at least try adding T3.0 -
Unfortunately thyroid had the same symptoms as other things, tired hair falling out, etc. Have the dr. test your vit D, Calcuim, B12, ferritin, and what ever else, but these are the things that came back bad on me and had the same symptoms as my thyroid. It wasn't my thyroid, my synthroid was just fine.0
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Good job kkauz,
You're on the right track! I went to a naturopath also & have been working with her on the adrenal fatigue, and also vitamins. The Dr complied to my using Natural thyroid instead of synthroid, and so between the two of them I've received health-restoring treatment.
Thanks for sharing! :flowerforyou:0 -
Sounds like you armed yourself with more info, which is great. My TSH was wacky and was prob due to my reverse T3. I am thankful that was one of the things the doc checked (at the time I didn't even know what reverse T3 was). Adrenals were also on the fritz, iron levels were all over the place which can make you miserable too. There are a few likely candidates for your current issues, but I'm glad you are pushing to find out exactly what is causing them. I hope you get the answers you need and that you are on the road to optimal levels soon.0
