Thyroid Latest: Reverse T3

My main purpose with this blog remains to share my passion for parenting and I think that's the main interest of my readers too.  I've been meticulous about keeping tags current, so please feel free to click "rational parenting" on the right if you're not interested in these other updates.  Since I have benefited from friends who have shared their thyroid story though,  I'll continue to post the occasional update regarding this issue and I've created a "thyroid" tag  to make these posts easy to locate, for those interested.  So... on with the thyroid latest!

I'm still giving myself another month of Iodine to see if that makes any further difference, but my doctor wanted to test some autoimmune issues so I thought I'd take advantage of finding out if I had any reverse T3 concerns (RT3).

Sigh, that would be a resounding, "Yes!"  So, that basically means that when my iron and iodine levels are both normal, I won't be taking desiccated thyroid because my body would convert the T4 component into the inactive RT3 (which proceeds to fill up the receptor sites) leaving me with the same thyroid issues.  Instead, I'll be taking just T3 which, with time, should allow my body to clear all this excess RT3.  The cortisol labs did come back normal and I'm not stressed (other intervening factors), so once my iron level is up, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't be able to: take the meds, clear the RT3, and get this issue addressed!

On a side note, I was interested to read a friend's recent post about thyroid labs and their questionable predictive value.   My free T3 six weeks ago, before I started Iodine (when I was feeling like this) was 2.3 pg/ml (2.3-4.2).  Now, when my sleep is so much better and I've been feeling ill less frequently it's 2.1pg/ml (that is, it's dropped even lower i.e. I'm more hypothyoid).  I'm not sure what the precision of the test is so that could be within the margin of error, but it's certainly not indicative of how I'm feeling. Aside from fewer sleep symptoms and less ill days, my other issues haven't changed.  I'm gathering a temperature log again and I'm just as chilly (97.3-97.4 basal temps in the morning).

Finally, I'll be seeing a rheumatoligist whom I was impressed with in the past to review my auto-immune labs.  I am also seeking that second, endocrine opinion I mentioned from a naturopath who was recommended as having extensive experience with desiccated thyroid.  But, I'm cautious about any advice that has a wobbly science base.  So... more research, learning, and patience for now.  I'll get there!