rt-3

[woodshoes]

what are the symptoms of reverse t-3? I have hashimotos my cytomel and levoxyl are not working

[woodshoes]

I went to see my doc this afternoon told him about my sore nipples and he is going to test my female hormones then also my adrenals,he thinks they are affecting my levels. up until now and for the last 5 years my meds have been working fine then all of a sudden they start to drop even my tsh without lowering my meds. I know he knows that we have to raise my meds to feel better but he wants to make sure its not my adrenals. What do they do for them if they are off?

[gimel]

I think that speculating on something like cellular resistance or excess rT3, is premature.  The evidence is that your FT3 and FT4 levels are lower than those levels found  by many of our members, to relieve symptoms.  I think that getting your  meds increased enough to raise your FT3 and FT4 levels into the upper third of their ranges should be your primary concern at this time.

[woodshoes]

The doc has changed my meds around different times of the day last month but no good changes in the way I feel. Could I have cellular resistance? I ve heard that some people do better on t-3 alone. When levels are low like mine and an increase is done do I have many hyper symptoms for a while? I hope my doc has an answer this afternoon. I feel so horrible. as I guyess I should with these low levels.

[woodshoes]

thank you for the info,our ins. does cover it 100 %

[ampky]

I have UH also, but it might also be what type of UH it is. If your doc has merit for the test, I don't see why it wouldn't be covered. You could find-out the CPT Code of the test (by calling the doc's office) and then call UH Customer Service (on the back of your ins. card), give them the CPT Code and ask if it is covered under your plan. If you already had the test and it is denied, appeal!

[gimel]

I'm not aware of cost and whether it is covered.  Personally I would just request an increase in meds as necessary to raise FT3 to upper part of its range and FT4 to at least midpoint.  If symptoms remain after that, then further testing might be necessary: however, we hear of relatively few instances of rT3 being the cause of hypothyroid symptoms.  Most often it is due to low FT3 and FT4 levels.

[woodshoes]

I have unitedhealth care Insurance,do any of you know how much the rvt-3 blood test is and do they cover it? My doc seems to think there might be a problem with my ins. Yes I agree with you on my levels but he wants to make sure that the rvt-3 is not the problem.

[gimel]

It can't hurt to know the rT3 level, but I think your hypo symptoms problem is that both your FT3 and FT4 are too low in their ranges.  As I mentioned, many of our members report that symptom relief for them required that FT3 was adjusted into the upper part of its range and FT4 adjusted to at least midpoint.    

[woodshoes]

I went to see my thyroid doc and he is going to rvt-3 and tgb tests to see whats going on with me. I will get back to you all soon.

[gimel]

It's good that your doctor understands that TSH is frequently suppressed below the range when on thyroid meds and isn't trying to reduce your meds.  It's also good that you have been tested for FT3 and FT4 and that the doctor is wiling to prescribe both T4 and T3 meds.  Many times that doesn't happen.  

You didn't mention when you started on your current dosage of meds.  If you have been on those doses for at least 6 weeks, then your symptoms suggest that you need your meds tweaked a bit to relieve those symptoms.  Many of our members report that symptom relief required that FT4 was at least at midpoint of its range and FT3 adjusted into the upper part of its range.  Your current levels provide the leeway to do that.  Is your doctor willing to adjust your meds further to relieve symptoms?

I think you might find the info in this article to be of interest.  

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

[woodshoes]

I have hashimotos
TSH-0.016-------------0.450-4.500
FT3-2.9----------------2.0-4.4
FT4-1.13------------------0.82---1.77
a lot of fatigue,lowered appitite,no energy,no libido,I am on 4 orange levoxyl a day,plus 2 cytomel I think they are 5mcg. per day Ive been on this for a few years. However I have been under a lot of stress the last 6 months. I also have brain fog bad memory and severe constipation. my normal ft-3 is around 3.10

[gimel]

The symptoms of excessive rT3 would be essentially the same as having too low a level of FT3.  To enable our members to provide the best response possible, how about posting the actual results and reference ranges for whatever thyroid testing has been done.  Also, what type of symptoms are you having?  What is your dosage of cytomel and levoxyl and when did you start taking those amounts?