Doctor says T-3 test is unecessary?!? Opposite of everything I've heard! Anyone?

[Nicole05]

Because it did not show up on my test results and because we had specifically discussed the need for it, I called the endo I was finally able to get an appt. with to ask why he had tested my TSH level and T-4 but not T-3.  His nurse called me back and said that the doctor said that "T-3 tests are not useful for people suffering from hypothyroidism - only hyperthyroidism."  WHAT??  One of the main reasons I went to an endo was so I could get a full thyroid panel as opposed to just a TSH test which is what my internist was doing.  The endo and I even discussed the need for a T-3 test and whether I should try Cytomel along with Synthroid to improve my symptoms.  

Could his answer be because my T-4 results came back within the normal range?  My TSH was still elevated but T-4 was not.  Is this possibly why he said that T-3 wasn't necessary?

Has anyone ever heard of and/or experienced this specific problem?

Thanks!

[Jimlow]

Nicole05, I know I make Dr.s made who look into this forum but there are a lot of them out there, that are totally clueless as to what they are doing but they will put theirselves across as "very Knowlegable".
I was told by two Endocrinologists in a row, that the T-3 levels, especially the "Free T-3", is the very best measurment to test for HYPOthyroid patients. After being told this, I researched and confirmed this over and over again. The reason T-3 is so important is because it is the "active" form of thyroid hormone. The T-4 of course is important too because it measures how much of the "reserve" hormone you have. T-4 is what is converted into the active T-3. If you're low on T-4, you'll also be low on T-3 because your reserves for making T-3 aren't there.
Another problem though that people have, is converting T-4 to T-3, even when there is ample supply of T-4 to do this with. This is why Dr.s will add T-3 to a patient taking T-4 only (Synthroid) and some are put on T-3 exclusively (Cytomel). Others are given a T-3/T-4 combo (Armour, Thyrolar etc..). I am a patient who was switched to Armour from Synthroid because my Doc suspected I had problems converting T-4 to T-3.  He could have just as easily added Cytomel to the Synthroid but in my case just put me on the natural containing both.
The above gives an explanation of the importance of testing T-3 in hypo patients. Some call the conversion problem, "Wilson's Syndrome" but some Dr.s do not recognize it or believe it exists.
Most Dr.s actually believe the opposite of what yours said, they believe T-3 is far more important to test for hypothyroidism.

[ar1281a]

My endo ALWAYS gets a full thyroid panel ....it doesn't hurt and it doesn't cost them anything to make you happy :-)

[Nicole05]

Thanks for the comments.  I ended up just calling my internist even though my goal was to begin seeing an endocrinologist.  To tell the truth, from the way he talked, I think my internist knows more about it than the endo - and I thought I needed to get away from the internist and go see an endo!  My internist agreed to call in an initial low dose of Cytomel to try and see if that makes me feel any better.  I guess the good news is that my TSH levels are finally beginning to drop so the Sythroid must finally be kicking in.  It had gone from 44.8 to 26.6 when I saw the endo last week. It can't come soon enough for me.  I am still severely constipated (I basically go once a week after taking about 5 laxatives!) and haven't had my period for 2 months.  My body literally feels like it is "full" from head to toe.  I'm bloated and uncomforatable and ready to get back to normal!!! Thanks for everyone's support. Getting advice here has done more for me than all the doctor's appts. put together! I'm not going anywhere but just wanted to offer a thanks to everyone who has taken time to read my posts and respond!

N.

[ar1281a]

Hi Nicole,05, I went thru a couple of endos before finding the one I have...so be patient!