Thyroid Test Results (I'm not schooled on the Thyroid)

[30005Gator]

I am pretty solid when it comes to the other levels (T, E2, SHBG, etc); however, I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to Thyroid. I asked my Dr to do a comprehensive Thyroid panel, and the results are below. I would appreciate any thoughts. For example, is the Reverse T3 high? If so, what does that mean and what can I do about it?

Background: My concern (and driver for this test) is that I am not getting the full benefit from my TRT due to Thyroid issues, or possible adrenal fatigue??

Thanks in advance!

Results:

Test	Result	Range
TSH	2.13 uIU/mL	0.45 - 4.5
T3, Free	3.2 pg/mL	2.0 - 4.4
Reverse T3	22.5 ng/dL	9.2 - 24.1
T4, Free	1.53 ng/dL	0.82 - 1.77

 

[MarkM]

Did you have the two Thyroid antibodies tested (TPOab and TgAB)? If you have antibodies that means they are attacking you normal thyroid tissues.

Ideally you want your Reverse T3 to be below 15 and you want a Free T3:Reverse T3 ratio to be greater than 20 and your ratio is well below that at 14.2. Your Free T3 should be about 3.8 to be optimal. Free T4 is not far from where it needs to be at 1.8.

So, your Reverse T3 is too high and is blocking your active T3 from getting to the receptors like it needs to. Your Free T3 is too low, and we do not know about antibodies as it appears they were not tested. I like to look at Free T3 to be the equivalent of Free T for the thyroid.

Maybe others more knowledgeable will reply to your thread.

 

[30005Gator]

Did you have the two Thyroid antibodies tested (TPOab and TgAB)? If you have antibodies that means they are attacking you normal thyroid tissues.

Ideally you want your Reverse T3 to be below 15 and you want a Free T3:Reverse T3 ratio to be greater than 20 and your ratio is well below that at 14.2. Your Free T3 should be about 3.8 to be optimal. Free T4 is not far from where it needs to be at 1.8.

So, your Reverse T3 is too high and is blocking your active T3 from getting to the receptors like it needs to. Your Free T3 is too low, and we do not know about antibodies as it appears they were not tested. I like to look at Free T3 to be the equivalent of Free T for the thyroid.

Maybe others more knowledgeable will reply to your thread.

Thanks MarkM! I did not have the antibodies tested. This is the first RT3 test I've ever taken.

I've felt fatigued over the last couple of months, despite having perfect T and E2 levels. So, I thought I should look at Thyroid.

Any recommendations to lower RT3 (e.g., Iodine supplement)? I will look into the antibody tests.

 

[MarkM]

I have read that iodine and selenium can help the thyroid perform better. I also read that zinc picolinate and L-tyrosine help as well. We have lots of members on the forum taking thyroid meds and supplements to help their thyroid that will hopefully weigh in for you.

 

[MarkM]

Gator, I would also have your iron and ferritin levels tested. If they are low they can create havoc on your thyroid and if really low increase your Reverse T3.

 

[1Draw]

Gator first thing I would do is try to find the cause of high Reverse T3. It can and will cause chronic fatigue, feeling cold at times, hard to sleep, low libido etc.... Most of the time it is iron/ferritin related. My RT3 was 28.1 back in Feb due to low iron/ferritin caused by frequent donations to lower hematocrit and I felt awful.

Here is a great website on how to "Flush" it out of your system:
Reverse T3 Treatment Guide + How to "Flush" it out of Your Body

I was put on Cytomel and slowly worked up to 15 mcg 2 x day and my RT3 was 13 in 2months and felt a lot, lot better.

It did raise my SHBG quite a bit but, the trade off was worth it. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[30005Gator]

Gator first thing I would do is try to find the cause of high Reverse T3. It can and will cause chronic fatigue, feeling cold at times, hard to sleep, low libido etc.... Most of the time it is iron/ferritin related. My RT3 was 28.1 back in Feb due to low iron/ferritin caused by frequent donations to lower hematocrit and I felt awful.

Here is a great website on how to "Flush" it out of your system:
Reverse T3 Treatment Guide + How to "Flush" it out of Your Body

I was put on Cytomel and slowly worked up to 15 mcg 2 x day and my RT3 was 13 in 2months and felt a lot, lot better.

It did raise my SHBG quite a bit but, the trade off was worth it. Good luck and keep us posted.

@1Draw thanks so much for this info!

I've only donated once, but I will get my iron and ferritin tested.

My T and E2 levels are perfect (1,200 and 30 respectively), but I feel like the benefits of being at optimal levels since I started TRT (April) are not being realized...hoping this is why.

 

[MarkM]

@1Draw
My T and E2 levels are perfect (1,200 and 30 respectively), but I feel like the benefits of being at optimal levels since I started TRT (April) are not being realized...hoping this is why.

Pretty good Total T and E2 levels. How is your Free T? I am guessing you have mid range SHBG?

 

[30005Gator]

Pretty good Total T and E2 levels. How is your Free T? I am guessing you have mid range SHBG?

Free T was 38 pg/mL (6.8 - 21.5) and SHBG is usually in the low to mid 30's.

 

[30005Gator]

I am pretty solid when it comes to the other levels (T, E2, SHBG, etc); however, I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to Thyroid. I asked my Dr to do a comprehensive Thyroid panel, and the results are below. I would appreciate any thoughts. For example, is the Reverse T3 high? If so, what does that mean and what can I do about it?

Background: My concern (and driver for this test) is that I am not getting the full benefit from my TRT due to Thyroid issues, or possible adrenal fatigue??

Thanks in advance!

Results:

Test	Result	Range
TSH	2.13 uIU/mL	0.45 - 4.5
T3, Free	3.2 pg/mL	2.0 - 4.4
Reverse T3	22.5 ng/dL	9.2 - 24.1
T4, Free	1.53 ng/dL	0.82 - 1.77

Wanted to post an update (for future readers). I had another round of bloods and had the following results (with the previous test results). This is after one month of supplementing with a Thyroid supplement containing iodine and selenium.

Test	Sept 6	Oct 1	Delta
TSH	2.13	3.94	+1.81
T4, Free	1.53	1.45	-0.08
T3, Free	3.2	3.7	+0.5
Reverse T3	22.5	<no results yet>
Ferritin	<none>	34 ng/mL

Interesting that my T4 is lower, but T3 is higher. Still waiting for the RT3 results. This is the first time I've tested Ferritin, and am concerned that it is so low.

My TSH shot up fairly significantly, so my Dr is telling me my body is screaming for more thyroid hormone. He suggested that I start on a low dose of Armour Thyroid (T4 + T3).

I told him that I'd like to research a little before starting. I was thinking he would suggest Cytomel (T3) because of my high Reverse T3 (thinking that adding more T4 would result in even more RT3), so that's why I want to research this a little more.

Would appreciate any advice regarding the best treatment options. Thanks in advance.

 

[Sean Mosher]

I don't have my numbers on hand but I had a situation similar to yours and I'm doing pretty well on 1g NDT + 10mcg T3 twice a day.
I'd see if you can request something other than Armour, maybe Nature Throid or WP Thyroid.
Still hear complaints about Armour every now and then.

 

[Systemlord]

Supplementing with iodine and selenium will see an increase TSH.

 

[30005Gator]

I don't have my numbers on hand but I had a situation similar to yours and I'm doing pretty well on 1g NDT + 10mcg T3 twice a day.
I'd see if you can request something other than Armour, maybe Nature Throid or WP Thyroid.
Still hear complaints about Armour every now and then.

Thanks, I asked my Dr about doing something similar. Are you feeling "better" now?

 

[OMI100]

1Draw linked to a blog post from Dr. Childs. I have linked the blog and his YouTube channel below.
Here are some reference sites that are a wealth of information on the thyroid.:
1. http://www.tiredthyroid.com/
My view one of the top 3 sites.
Easy to read and navigate.
Barbara has a book out. Get it if you want to learn more. Easy to read.
The book is on par with ANY Doctoral Thesis on the Thyroid.....
2. Blog - Dr. Westin Childs | Thyroid & Health Supplements That Work
Dr. Childs has a ton of articles that cover all things thyroid.
Another of the top 3 sites...
He also has a YouTube site with a lot of the blog articles covered in short YouTube segments.
Dr. Westin Childs
I highly recommend his "Thyroid Beginner Series & Lessons" as a starting point in learning more about the thyroid.
3. The Old standby here:
Stop the Thyroid Madness™ - Hypothyroidism and thyroid mistreatment
BTW when looking at thyroid labs you also need the ranges and where you sit within the ranges.
Most DRs treat to "RANGES" and NOT symptoms. That means if you are at the top or bottom of RANGE they say you are O.K.
Majority of people feel best at mid range to around 75% of range. The first and third link above have some great articles on "TSH" that explain this.....