Reverse T3 treatment and yet not well

[alfonsina]

I have some labs results from a month of changing my dose to treat reverse T3. I understand there are not many people in this forum being treated for reverse T3 but any input would be appreciated.


This is being of more than a month taking NT along with Cytomel
TSH: 0.02    0.40-4.50
FT4: 0.8       0.8-1.8
FT3: 4.2       2.3-4.2pg/mL
RT3: 27        11-32ng/DL

If I am not mistaken my ratio would be 14. It should be above 20, however I am seeing my FT4 is pretty much back at the bottom.

I have been feeling pretty bad, no changes, I though that by adding more Cytomel and bringing my FT3 up I would feel better, but that is not the case. . My hair continues to fall and my skin and mouth are very dry. I am also feeling depressed and anxious
I will see my doc next week. I am not sure if I should stay in this dose, although I would like to increase Cytomel because of my symptoms, or I should decrease my NT and add more Cytomel.
I also would like to change doctors, but that is another story, I have tried but insurance and fees are in the way.Thanks.

[alfonsina]

Thanks. When I was only on NT and had optimal T3 and T4 levels for about three months, I would say that for about 7 months I was kind on the same dose (a quarter less here a quarter more here) and you know what happened? I started to feel awful my doctor tested me every three months to our surprise my numbers started to drop, my frees went down just like that for no reason at all.

So my doctor continued to increased but I did not feel better. I mean if I am taking 3 grains and then suddenly I started to drop my numbers I guess I have to continue increasing. The thing is I never got stable with my numbers...I am wondering now if this happens to everybody... that is the weird thing. So he reduced my NT and added the Cytomel.

I never take my meds before testing, always after. Thanks!!

[gimel]

If you have time to read through the PM info I sent, I think you will find info suggesting that you should just increase your Free T4 level.  This differs from other info that says T3 only, but after reading all that site, I think it is worth trying, instead of decreasing your NT, and increasing Cytomel.  

I also wondered if you took your meds right before the blood draw for those last tests?  

[alfonsina]

Thanks Gimel for the link and your message.

I have been for almost two years in treatment and never felt well. When I was very up in the range for the frees and I continued to complain of feeling bad or not yet well (actually my hair stop falling there, but I had then a lot of acne)per example, my doctor checked my reverse and it was high. That was just three months ago and it was 8, the ratio.

Answering to your questions the symptoms that I continue to have or that have worsen are kind of the same listed on the website. Although I have never had per example heavy periods, but missed some. My hair is very coarse and I know my hair can look much much better per example.

Another different thing: I either gain 10 pounds and I feel heavy or I lost a lot without wanting. I just do not want to eat.

Another things is anxiety, when I am more hypo, I can't sleep, I am very anxious. Other symptoms I continue to have are:
Constipation
Increased sensitivity to cold
Swelling around the eyes
Loss of eyebrows
Joint and muscle pain, aches, and stiffness
Pale, dry, rough, and thick skin
Dry, thinning, or coarse hair
Brittle nails
An enlarged tongue (I have sleep apnea)
Decrease in taste
Decreased sweating
Depression
Decreased ability to exercise.
Irregular heart beat.

My temperature during the day do no pass 86.00 degrees, ever.
I wonder if I continue in this dose for more time I will feel better. My Ft3 is looking good. Or maybe I should continue to drop my NT with the FT4 in it.Thanks!!

[gimel]

Oops, forgot the link.  

http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html

[gimel]

Never had a problem with Reverse T3 myself.  I have done extensive searching, to try and understand why some members do have the problem.  One of the things I have noticed is that the so-called "optimal" ratio of Free T3 to Reverse T3 varies a lot.  I have seen that the range should be 1 - 2, with higher being better.  I have seen other data suggesting that it should be over 2, or 20 (depending on how it is calculated).  I am not convinced about it needing to be over 20 because that would say that if your RT3 was near the high end of the range, then your Free T3 could never be high enough within its range to achieve that ratio.  So what does that say about the so-called reference range for RT3?

Recently I found the best source of info on thyroid that I have run across in all my searching of the net.  I am sending you a PM with that link and some specific comments from that source.  

You mention still having symptoms.  If you look at this listing of 26 typical hypo symptoms, which ones do you have?  Is hair loss your major symptom?