Free T3 so important.......why?

[dani2776]

A lot of people on this forum say that it is very important to have your Free 3 levels checked as they are the most active thyroid hormone.  I was diagnosed with Hashi's in April with antibodies over 1000 and a TSH level of 4.33 and a Free T4 at 1.13 and Free T3 right in mid range (don't remember the exact number).  All follow up labs have shown the Free T3 to stay the same but the TSH is all over the place and my Free T4 is consistently dropping.  My last TSH was 3.98 and Free T4 down to 0.70.  My symptoms are horrible and I know I need more T4 meds and I am working on that but my question is this.  If the Free T3 is the most active and most important, how come I feel like I am dying when that is the ONLY level that remains stable?

[dani2776]

Well my meds were just uncreased 2 days ago to a whopping 37.5mcg after difficulties with faster increases on Synthroid.  When my endo went from 25 to 50 my heart rate jumped into the 140's.  Also was unable to tolerate fillers of Synthroid so we changed to Levoxyl and started again on 25.  After my 37.5 I will go to 44 then 50 and so on.  Each day brings new symptoms and I just don't think I will ever get better.  Some days I think I feel worse on the meds but then try and convince myself that I just don't have enough replacement.  I am due to have my labs again in 3 weeks so we will see.  I have had my Free T3 checked 3 times so far and it never varies more than a number or two.  So with the healing, both my endo and OB/GYN believe I have been undiagnosed for at least the past 2 years if not more so are you telling me it will take more than 2 years to feel better?

[gimel]

Good advice from Laura.  If you want further confirmation of this, please take the time to read and absorb the info in this link.  In the article, you can note mention of the clear benefits to having FT3 and FT4 levels in the upper third of their reference ranges.  Also mentioned was that FT3 correlates best with symptoms relief and becoming euthyroid.

http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

[laura1967]

Actually the most optimal range of free t3 is high normal range......if on natural thyroid meds, it would look that or just past high normal range.
If you aren't having your free t3 done each time....like with this last draw, you don't know that it didn't drop. Apparently you are a good converter from the sounds of it.
Your free t4 should be mid range.....you are a long way off....did your dr up your meds yet?
You have to keep a close eye on your levels consistantly with Hashi's, so they don't fall as low as yours has. If you are on a TSH only med, your tsh should be supressed to below a .50-1.0 in order for you to feel your best, and your body to be able to heal itself. EVerytime you your levels go out of wack it is like you are starting over.
My endo told me that for as long as you have been sick, it takes twice as long to heal.....and only IF you stay at optimum levels.  :)