help- thyroid issue test result

[florida1979]

Hi

i had done blood work and Im lil confused, can someone interpret this for me ? I go see endo in few weeks. The problem is Im gaining weight and so tired, my energy level going down and I also struggle with acne. Im 32 female 119 lb.  T3 is in lower range, TSH so low and reverse T3 so high? Anybody

TSH    0.006   normal   0.450-4.500
T4 free  2.2   normal   0.82 - 1.77
T3 free   2.5  norma   2.0 - 4.4
Reverse T3    51.9   norma    13.5 - 34.2

thx

[florida1979]

hi im on 200mcg of syynthroid, just got back from Endo he wants me to lower the dosage to 175mcg...can't belive, I was thinking I convince him to add Armour but he doesn't want to for him measurement is TSH...oh boy

[Red_Star]

High T4 = low TSH thanks flyingfool to point that out to my sleep deprived brain lol. The sun is about to rise so i better go to bed :)

[flyingfool]

It is awesome you have all that test data. Most people have a hard time getting the information.

What appears to be happening is that the RT3 is plugging up the receptors in your body's cells.  RT3 is inactive and it amounts to the equivalent of a plugged fuel filter in your car.

The TSH is so low because the Pituitary gland senses the high value of Thyroid in your blood so it doesn't send out the TSH hormone to tell your thyroid to produce any Thyroid as there seems to be plenty available.  

You have the Hypo signs because while there is plenty of fuel in the tank, the engine is getting no fuel because of the plugged fuel filter.

RT3 is ONLY created during the conversion process of T4 converting into T3.  So one method of treatment is to STOP taking T4 medication and thus minimize the amount of conversion taking place.  In it's place taking T3 medication.  As the RT3 clear out of the cells, it will allow reception of the Free T3 you added with T3 medication.  The trick here is that at some point you may go Hyper as the RT3 is cleared you may get too much T3 and go Hyper. So this type of treatment you have to be on your toes so that as soon as you get the first signs of going Hyper you STOP taking the T3 medication to prevent going too hyper.  For some people this only has to be done once.

But if you are really stressed, I'd suggest you try to remove the stress if at all possible first.  Also taking Selenium is supposed to help aid the conversion process.  I know this  helps a little bit with efficiency but not sure if it has any effect on reducing the production of RT3.

Are you currently taking Thyroid medication?  If so what kind, how much and for how long have you been taking it?

[Red_Star]

High free T4 (especially over 1.4) and a lower free T3 can be suspicious for high RT3.  Your high RT3 result backs up this suspicion.  High RT3 can cause hypothyroid symptoms because the RT3 fits into the free T3 receptors upside down, or in reverse, preventing free T3 from getting into the cells where it is needed.  Common causes of high RT3 include low ferritin, high or low cortisol, low vitamin B12 levels, and all forms of stress.

The TSH can fluctuate for a variety of reasons but includes Hashimoto's thyroiditis which is an autoimmune disease that gradually destroys the thyroid gland.  Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the leading cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. Testing for Hashimoto's thyroiditis includes thyroid antibodies - thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb).

Excerpt from the book - "Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Lab Tests Are Normal?" by Dr Kharrazian...

"Hashimoto's Disease and "Normal" Lab Results

Jan - TSH 4.5
Feb - TSH 0.08
Mar - TSH 2.3
April - TSH 3.8
May - TSH 8.7
June - TSH 7.4
July - TSH 1.6

One reason hypothyroidism goes misdiagnosed is because a person with Hashimoto's can present with normal TSH. This graph illustrates the monthy TSH levels of a person with Hashimoto's who is receiving no treatment. As the autoimmune condition fluctuates, TSH levels vary wildly. Using standard lab range of 0.45 - 4.5 this person would fail to be diagnosed. During the month of March the patient's TSH even falls within functional range 1.8 - 3.0. That's why also testing for immune antibodies and evaluating symptoms and history are so vital."