FT3 not improving??

[Klax79]

I know Hashi's usually don't convert well, mine is really not improving much. My symptoms r not that bad yet, coz I caught this problem early. Crazy weight gain & poor recovery after workouts are the main concerns. The nagging pain at my elbow was gone once I started the meds.

Jul'14
FT4 - 13.38 (9.0-19.0)
FT3 - 3.58 (2.63-5.7)
TSH - 6.59 (0.35-4.94)
-> On 5mcg Cytomel + 50mcg T4 in the morning

Sep'14
FT4 - 14.90 (9.0-19.0)
FT3 - 3.60 (2.63-5.7)
TSH - 2.14 (0.35-4.94)

Doc seems pretty happy with the ratio. I agreed that my FT4 is in the good range now but FT3 still quite ****** (it technically didn't "budge" at all). She's maintaining the T4 dosage & I managed to convince her to up the T3 (she prescribed 7.5mcg).

Looking at the results, my body's not converting any more FT3 with the increase in FT4. Is splitting Cytomel dosage the only way? I've never really asked abt NDT meds coz she wasn't really keen during my 1st visit. Any other possible reasons for the poor conversion? I'm already taking 200mcg Selenium & doc seems surprised that this is not even helping.

[flyingfool]

Cytomel is T3 which gets into your bloodstream in HOURS.  So there is no need to really wait 8 weeks for another test at least not for thyroid at least.  Two weeks would be plenty.  no sense suffering for more weeks than needed.

DHEA is a precursor hormone I believe. It is the basis for a lot of hormones including sex hormone in addition to thyroid.  At least that is my layman's understanding.

[gimel]

No, DHEA is not iron.  They might want to run a full iron test panel (serum iron, % saturation, TIBC).  Just make sure they also include ferritin because it is regarded as a precursor to serum iron levels.  And also Vitamin D and B12.

[Klax79]

Well, she was ok to up from 5mcg to 7.5mcg so we'll see how the results look like in 8 wks time. Doc doesn't really feel I'm low on Iron but said will test on the next visit (though weird that nurses said I need to come in a day in advance coz DHEA test will take the lab 1 day).

DHEA's not Iron right?? Since I'm already drawing blood, might as well throw in all the tests.

[gimel]

You are not really taking very much T3 med, so I am not surprised that you noticed very little change in your Free T3 test results.  As long as you have hypo symptoms, you should get the doctor to gradually increase your T3 med.

You did not mention being tested for ferritin, so I assume you have not.  As I mentioned, ferritin is very important for conversion of T4 to T3, so I highly recommend that you get the doctor to include a test for ferritin at next opportunity.  Also, get tested for Vitamin D and B12, to make sure of those levels and see if your levels are adequate.

[Klax79]

I take my T3 on empty stomach & only have my breakfast like 1hr later, which doesn't include any dairy.

Interesting point on the body taking whatever T3 I'm putting in. It's like I'm filling a leaking container in a way.

[flyingfool]

My thought goes maybe to absorption.  If you are taking more T3 and your FT3 isn't moving there really is only two things that come to my mind.

One is poor absorption.  To you take the medicine away from food and milk?  The other is that your body' s cells are using all the T3 you put in.  Using it all up as your body needs it.

just what popped into my head.