Thyroid opinions wanted

[Vince Carter]

As my latest investigatory means to becoming optimal I decided to run the thyroid panel from discountedlabs and after the fact I notice it's missing reverse T3 and antibodies, but here are my results:

TSH 2.220 (0.450-4.500)
T4 Free Direct 1.16 (0.82-1.77)
T3 Free Serum 3.7 (2.0 - 4.4)

seems fine, so I get a thermometer (basal 1 minute electronic) under the armpit and:

Time : Temp
0530 : 96.0
1000 : 96.4
1231 : 97.3 (post heavy weightlifting @ 75 minutes plus 5 mile bike ride)
1500 : 96.8
2100 : 96.8 (left), 96.3 (right)

....I'm running awfully cold on body temps, as much as 2.6 degrees colder...

What do you think? Natural Dessicated Thryoid? I have and have used Lugols, I do not use an iodized table salt.

 

[Vettester Chris]

Here's the thing, your FT4 is hanging at around 36% of the Ref. Range, and FT3 is at 71%. Too much variance in my book, and especially having T3 being to the right of T4.

This can be an indicator of pooling. The one way this can obviously be cross checked is with weighing the ratio of your RT3 against FT3. I suspect it's not in balance. Your temp variances also could be a factor. On that subject, you should look into running 3x times per day (2 hours after waking, 2 hours after that, and 2 hours after that ..) .. Do this for 5 days then calculate the averages.

So to clarify, yes, RT3 is needed with TgAb and TPO antibodies, plus you need to look into iron serum, ferritin, iron sat, D3, and cortisol (4x saliva with DHEA correlation analysis).

That's the scoop from my angle ..

 

[Vince Carter]

Yes Im doing the temp study for three straight days to get a clearer picture of my temp range. I've read about pooling last night. Looking through many tests the last year I can't see that any one ever tested: iron serum, ferritin, iron sat, D3. I'm just starting up with Defy and requested the 4 tube salivary cortisol, as that's another area of my interest.

 

[Vettester Chris]

When you get your cortisol results, I'll gladly give you some comments on the circadian profile. Yeah, without adequate iron & ferritin, your T3 can't make it to the cells in the body, at least not in optimal fashion. Thus, T3 is roadblocked, pooling is evident. The body compensates to higher RT3 conversion.

Keep me posted ...

 

[Vince Carter]

Are high red blood cell and hemoglobin indicators of good iron levels? I'll work on those added iron tests.

 

[Vince Carter]

Here are my cortisol results, my DHEA-S tested @ 366 (with supplementation @25mg 2x day sublingual, I also use Preg @ 50mg sublingual)

I see a correlation to waking easy in the morning, nearly never with an alarm clock, then yawning throught the say and being very tired in the evening. It seems everything from morning on, I'm running at the minimums and confirms the way I feel; tired.

 

[Vince Carter]

These are my condensed and averaged numbers for a three day temp study, basal thermometer under the armpit for 1 minute

Day 1 avg 96.76
Day 2 avg 96.125
Day 3 avg 96.93

Low: 95.6
High: 98.1

Avg of 3 days: 96.6

 

[Vettester Chris]

Vince, I didn't go through it thoroughly, but at least at a glance it looks like your adrenals are a bit sluggish. Your early AM should be right towards the top of the reference range, and the two results thereafter also look to be lagging. I usually look for the ZRT circadian profile with the DHEA correlation, but I have a Circadian spreadsheet, I'll look into building a graph with your results and ranges, which might help give it more perspective.

Possibly some adrenal cortex supplements could help (?). What does your physician say? I had some similar issues at one point, and Isocort worked great, BUT, I think they stop making it?

 

[Vince Carter]

I have my initial consult with Dr Saya this coming week, this is going to be my number area of concern.

 

[HarryCat]

Possibly some adrenal cortex supplements could help (?). What does your physician say? I had some similar issues at one point, and Isocort worked great, BUT, I think they stop making it?

Yes, Isocort is no longer made. I've used Nutricology Adrenal Cortex with some success.

 

[Vince Carter]

yeah Im reading up on Adrenal Cortex vs the gland, thanks for the info...looks like an acceptable way to up my cortisol morning and mid morning.

 

[Vince Carter]

Chris would you give me some suggested dosing on Adrenal Cortex, timing and frequency...I presume morning and then midmorning or noon...I have 50mg capsules from PureEncapsulations. THANKS!

 

[Vettester Chris]

Vince, I don't have any personal experience on your particular product. However, with Isocort, I would take 3 pellets first thing in the morning, and 3 again late morning. You're correct, usually you're aiming to get it administered in the AM, which is where Cortisol is at the peak.

 

[Vince Carter]

im going to try 1 capsule 3x a day, 0600, 1000, 1400 for at least one week and evaluate if an increase is needed while checking my temps.

 

[Vince Carter]

new Thyroid panel will discuss with Defy but I dont see any serious issues, Free T4 is on the low side:

TSH 1.50
Free T4 1.1 (0.8-1.8)
Free T3 3.9 (2.3-4.2)
Reverse T3 16 (8-25)
Thyroglobulin Anti's <1 (< or = 1)
Thyroid Peroxidase Anti's <1 (<9 iu/mL)

 

[Vettester Chris]

FT3/RT3 ratio is 24, that's GREAT! FT3 is at upper end of ref. range. That's OK if you're feeling good (not jittery or hyper like)? Pooling won't be a problem with that ratio, so it's just a matter of how you are feeling at this point?

 

[Vince Carter]

If I had a complaint and may not be Thyroid related but I could use a bit more energy late afternoon and early evening but I've been looking in the Cortisol area for that.

 

[jfullam]

Interesting thread, I have been looking at Thyroid and TSH results more closely the last week. I started on TRT with Defy 7-8 weeks ago and feel really good (Free and Total T have come up optimally and all other indicators look good). My latest Blood Work showed a TSH of 3.22. I have never had FT3 and FT4 checked, so thinking maybe I would.
I have heard some mention that difficulty dropping weight and a very low heat rate can be symptoms of Thyroid issues. Those are the only areas I would have any complaints about. I exercise intensely 5+ times per week and eat pretty cleanly but my weight has stayed constant for quite some time. I have my TSH levels tested numerous times over the last 5 years and they are technically in the "normal" range, but a bit varied, with the latest being the highest:
09/30/2015 - 3.22 mcIU/mL
07/31/2015 - 2.87 mcIU/mL
04/23/2015 - 2.80 mcIU/mL
05/30/2014 - 1.19 mcIU/mL
05/22/2012 - 1.38 mcIU/mL
11/29/2010 - 2.22 mcIU/mL
Do you guys see value in digging deeper into my FT3 and FT4 levels?

 

[Vince Carter]

Its def worth the testing, when Defy contacts you for your 90 day labs ask for all of those listed in post #15. I have insurance that pays 100% so I didn't need to be cost conscious, if you need to I'd omit the antibodies ones.

 

[Vettester Chris]

jfullam, I think there's quite a bit to discuss with your situation, however, but you are hijacking Vince's thread by posting and asking questions here.

Please start a new thread and I'm sure plenty of members will chime in. Thanks!