Me and my kiddo

Me and my kiddo

Friday, March 12, 2010

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!

8 comments:

  1. So great that you are really on top of things! Glad you're feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi I just stumbled across your blog as I happen to be looking into reverse T3 myself at the moment (I'm in the UK and it's not tested for over here). Good luck with it all! Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kim: Thanks :)
    CCB: It's not that common here either! I spent fifteen minutes in the lab cubby hole waiting for them to find the lab in their books and then calling around to find a code for the forms. They hadn't even heard of it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi,

    I googled RT3 and found your site. I just found out I have VERY high RT3 with otherwise normal labs but still very hypo symptoms---low temps, low BP, and fatigue and brain fog. Have you started the T3 only yet? And what are you on now for thyroid meds---synthetic T4 or natural thyroid? Do you know about the RT3 forum at yahoo? Lots of good RT3 info there. Would love to know how you deal with this over the next months---will you keep an RT3 update here?
    Warmly, Kate

    ReplyDelete
  5. I haven't started T3 because I want to chat with a Naturopath first to get that side of the story. I'm worried about getting depended and some recent research makes me wonder if it's not something higher up in the hormone cascade that's the issue. Sigh. This is complicated stuff and I'm trying to self educate. If you're up for reading, check this resource out: http://entropyproduction.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. http://www.blogger.com/publish-confirmation.g?blogID=1066815446051662&postID=1094566418727351890&timestamp=1282964618363&javascriptEnabled=true

    ReplyDelete
  7. Upon diagnosis of hypothyroidism, my doctor prescribed http://www.nutri-meds.com/Nutri_Meds_Desiccated_Bovine_Thyroid_Capsules_p/nm-g-btc.htm . I began to see some progress, within a month I had gained more energy, improved my digestive function and began losing weight.

    ReplyDelete