Aa
Frequency of Inadequate T4 to T3 conversion
Just wanted to pass on some interesting info on a problem that Forum members experience so often.
T4-to-T3 Conversion and Hypothyroidism: Medical Journals
Purpose of this compilation
To show that the T4-to-T3 conversion process often does not function in hypothyroid patients as it does in euthyroid patients. For these patients, T3 supplementation in addition to T4 is necessary to restore health.
See also the links in the right column as well as in our Desiccated Thyroid References and TSH References sections.
A. T4-to-T3 conversion process
B. Laboratory findings
A. T4-to-T3 conversion process
1. "Thyroid insufficiency. Is TSH the only diagnostic tool?" (Belgium, 2000)
The explanation is that TSH is grossly in feedback with serum T4 only, not so much with serum T3, while the patient's wellbeing depends on the free T3 that is disposable inside the cells. As hypothyroid patients are usually unable to convert inactive T4 into active T3, owing to a lack of 5' -deiodinase in the liver and kidneys, the administration of T4 can eventually correct the serum TSH level, but rarely provides the patient with the T3 needed to be relieved of his symptoms.
Basier VW, Hertoghe J, Eeekhaut W. Thyroid insufficiency. Is TSH the only diagnostic tool? J Nutr Envir Med 2000;10,105-113.
2. "T3 is at least as important as T4 in all hypothyroid patients" (US, 1993)
It is assumed that, except in the 'euthyroid sick syndrome' and certain special situations, such as lithium therapy (10. St Germain, 1987), T4 converts peripherally to T3 in fairly standard amounts and at fairly standard rates. It only takes the consistent measuring of both free-T3 and free-T4 bloodlevels, in all one's hypothyroid patients, every time, to very rapidly dispell this myth. If one believes that both the T3 and T4 hormones need to be in their mid- to high-normal ranges, one soon discovers that, while a certain percentage of hypothyroid patients do convert enough T4 to T3 at a sufficient rate for T4 treatment to be adequate as a source of T3, a substantial proportion of patients require some combination of both exogenous T3 and T4.
Dommisse J. T3 is at least as important as T4 in all hypothyroid patients. J Clin Psychiatry 1993;July.
T4-to-T3 Conversion and Hypothyroidism: Medical Journals
Purpose of this compilation
To show that the T4-to-T3 conversion process often does not function in hypothyroid patients as it does in euthyroid patients. For these patients, T3 supplementation in addition to T4 is necessary to restore health.
See also the links in the right column as well as in our Desiccated Thyroid References and TSH References sections.
A. T4-to-T3 conversion process
B. Laboratory findings
A. T4-to-T3 conversion process
1. "Thyroid insufficiency. Is TSH the only diagnostic tool?" (Belgium, 2000)
The explanation is that TSH is grossly in feedback with serum T4 only, not so much with serum T3, while the patient's wellbeing depends on the free T3 that is disposable inside the cells. As hypothyroid patients are usually unable to convert inactive T4 into active T3, owing to a lack of 5' -deiodinase in the liver and kidneys, the administration of T4 can eventually correct the serum TSH level, but rarely provides the patient with the T3 needed to be relieved of his symptoms.
Basier VW, Hertoghe J, Eeekhaut W. Thyroid insufficiency. Is TSH the only diagnostic tool? J Nutr Envir Med 2000;10,105-113.
2. "T3 is at least as important as T4 in all hypothyroid patients" (US, 1993)
It is assumed that, except in the 'euthyroid sick syndrome' and certain special situations, such as lithium therapy (10. St Germain, 1987), T4 converts peripherally to T3 in fairly standard amounts and at fairly standard rates. It only takes the consistent measuring of both free-T3 and free-T4 bloodlevels, in all one's hypothyroid patients, every time, to very rapidly dispell this myth. If one believes that both the T3 and T4 hormones need to be in their mid- to high-normal ranges, one soon discovers that, while a certain percentage of hypothyroid patients do convert enough T4 to T3 at a sufficient rate for T4 treatment to be adequate as a source of T3, a substantial proportion of patients require some combination of both exogenous T3 and T4.
Dommisse J. T3 is at least as important as T4 in all hypothyroid patients. J Clin Psychiatry 1993;July.
I think it is interesting. And I'm copying the links and the sources of the articles etc so that when the Dr's think they know it all when I know for a fact I know more about some things than they do. I'll have credible sources for my data to show them.
Heard somewhere on this forum yesterday that a Dr actually told a patent that there is no such thing as Free T3 test!
Can you believe that!
While my wife's Dr' will not authorize it to be tested, at least the Dr' knows it exists!
unbelievable!
Heard somewhere on this forum yesterday that a Dr actually told a patent that there is no such thing as Free T3 test!
Can you believe that!
While my wife's Dr' will not authorize it to be tested, at least the Dr' knows it exists!
unbelievable!
Seems like I am talking to myself here, LOL, but anyway here is a great quote that I ran across.
"Thyroid status is a diagnosis, NOT a blood test."
"Thyroid status is a diagnosis, NOT a blood test."
Some really good reading material about TSH suppression occurring in over 60 % of clinically euthyroid patients taking T4 meds. This is further evidence of what we mention all the time about the inadequacy of using TSH to diagnose and medicate hypo patients.
http://www.altsupportthyroid.org/tsh/tshmedrefs5.php
http://www.altsupportthyroid.org/tsh/tshmedrefs5.php
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