Thyroid labs help

[Sully1234]

T3 uptake. 22 24- 39 Low

If uptake is low wouldnt that explain your symptoms despite Free T3 being pretty decent?

 

[muscle96ss]

If uptake is low wouldnt that explain your symptoms despite Free T3 being pretty decent?

Isn't uptake an indirect calculation using the numbers from the blood work as opposed to a direct measurement that actually measures what is happening? Not sure, that is why I am asking.

 

[mike036]

If uptake is low wouldnt that explain your symptoms despite Free T3 being pretty decent?

From what I understand it shouldn’t matter because my free T3 is in a good range.

 

[trackstar19]

My doctor has me on 300mcg t4 to keep my TSH at 1.5 - 2.5. A dose that would have most well under 1 but my body apparently requires much more. I preferred higher t4 than a mix of t3/t4 personally. Some of those #’s do seem off given you’re on replacement doses to optimize your health not just have it barely in range/out of range. I’d think you need a dosage adjustment of some sort

 

[Cerberus777]

How long has it been for your t3 to be in the proper range? I feel better with it a little higher and it took 6 weeks. What's in your blood and tissue saturation are different. With the heart palpation it sounds like it hasn't been very long. This should subside and you should start to feel better.

 

[mike036]

How long has it been for your t3 to be in the proper range? I feel better with it a little higher and it took 6 weeks. What's in your blood and tissue saturation are different. With the heart palpation it sounds like it hasn't been very long. This should subside and you should start to feel better.

My free T3 has only been measured 3 times over the last couple of years. It was 3.3 on 150mcg T4. Then on 120mg desiccated thyroid is was 2.8. Now on 180mg desiccated thyroid I’m at 3.6
When I was fist diagnosed with hypothyroidism I was getting bad heart palpitations. It went away when I started medication. When I switched to desiccated thyroid they started me at 90mg and the heart palpitations came back. The 90mg wasn’t enough so here I am at 180mg and still most likely need an increase

 

[Cerberus777]

My free T3 has only been measured 3 times over the last couple of years. It was 3.3 on 150mcg T4. Then on 120mg desiccated thyroid is was 2.8. Now on 180mg desiccated thyroid I’m at 3.6
When I was fist diagnosed with hypothyroidism I was getting bad heart palpitations. It went away when I started medication. When I switched to desiccated thyroid they started me at 90mg and the heart palpitations came back. The 90mg wasn’t enough so here I am at 180mg and still most likely need an increase

I feel best at 4 -4.2 I'm a poor converter to free t3 from t4 so I don't even bother with it. Probably need a bit more to feel better.

 

[mike036]

I feel best at 4 -4.2 I'm a poor converter to free t3 from t4 so I don't even bother with it. Probably need a bit more to feel better.

Do you take t3 only ? How much and how often ?

 

[Cerberus777]

Do you take t3 only ? How much and how often ?

T3 only 25mg twice a day, puts me in high normal range. I seam to rapidly metabolize it. Most only need 25mg -37mg.

 

[nothuman]

From what I understand it shouldn’t matter because my free T3 is in a good range.

The Free T3 is less reliable when you're taking thyroid medication. It is all over the place depending on when you take the test.

I think your dose is a bit high but then your TSH is still a little high so that's confusing

 

[mike036]

The Free T3 is less reliable when you're taking thyroid medication. It is all over the place depending on when you take the test.

I think your dose is a bit high but then your TSH is still a little high so that's confusing

I know. It makes no sense. The bloodwork was taken about 8 hours after I took the meds.

 

[Gambel]

You may want to see an endocrinologist that specializes in thyroid disorders. Have you ever had any imaging done of your thyroid?

 

[nothuman]

I know. It makes no sense. The bloodwork was taken about 8 hours after I took the meds.

I wouldn’t pay much attention to the Free T3 while you’re taking thyroid hormone, unless it’s lower than it was at baseline.

You might actually need more. You’re positive your tabs are accurately dosed? This is a tricky one

 

[mike036]

I wouldn’t pay much attention to the Free T3 while you’re taking thyroid hormone, unless it’s lower than it was at baseline.

You might actually need more. You’re positive your tabs are accurately dosed? This is a tricky one

They are coming from a U.S. compounding pharmacy. I get my test Cyp from there and on 20mg/day my total was 1081

 

[mike036]

You may want to see an endocrinologist that specializes in thyroid disorders. Have you ever had any imaging done of your thyroid?

No, no imaging ever done

 

[Sully1234]

From what I understand it shouldn’t matter because my free T3 is in a good range.

You are right I always get confused on that one. T3 uptake measures TBG. Stupid name smh.

 

[Sully1234]

I wouldn’t pay much attention to the Free T3 while you’re taking thyroid hormone, unless it’s lower than it was at baseline.

You might actually need more. You’re positive your tabs are accurately dosed? This is a tricky one

I would think your FREE T3 would be wayyy higher if you're taking the test 8 hours after meds.

But you said you take it on a totally empty stomach? Any chance your last meal of the day is fibrous veggies that could be binding to it? Also, coffee interferes with absorption.

 

[mike036]

I would think your FREE T3 would be wayyy higher if you're taking the test 8 hours after meds.

But you said you take it on a totally empty stomach? Any chance your last meal of the day is fibrous veggies that could be binding to it? Also, coffee interferes with absorption.

I eat my last meal around 6:30 PM. No coffee, very little veggies. Take the meds around 1:30-2:30 AM when I get up to pee

 

[MouthBreather1982]

Normally for low t3 conversion I would ask as layman if you were taking selenium and small amounts of kelp. How your iron and cortisol was. I have no idea here but curious. The ratio of desiccated pig thryoid is higher t3 than t4 when compared to humans, but that doesn’t meant your body wouldn’t adjust conversion, not sure what it would do. I guess my other possibly worthless question is how is vitamin D and A ?

 

[mike036]

Normally for low t3 conversion I would ask as layman if you were taking selenium and small amounts of kelp. How your iron and cortisol was. I have no idea here but curious. The ratio of desiccated pig thryoid is higher t3 than t4 when compared to humans, but that doesn’t meant your body wouldn’t adjust conversion, not sure what it would do. I guess my other possibly worthless question is how is vitamin D and A ?

Thanks for your input. My dessictated thyroid comes from a compounding pharmacy and has 10mg selenium as selenomethonne/capsule. My iron was a little high, 185. My vit d was in a good range. I haven’t had cortisol checked. I am not sure about Vit A but there is a decent amount in my multi and also in my greens powder.