If so, how did you go about reducing it? I have not had a blood test to confirm whether or not I have high RT3 yet, it's scheduled for me with my next set of labs on Feb 1. I have also had issues with adrenal fatigue and will be testing for the extent of that soon too.
I'm wondering if I have issues with both, which came first (the chicken or the egg?) If I were to get on Hydrocortisone would that help my adrenals and clear out the reverse T3? Or would it be safer/better to deal with the reverse T3 to help my hypothyroidism which in turn would help my adrenals. I am reluctant to go on HC as last time I tried I had issues with my BP spiking, and then of course there is the whole adrenals shutting down for a while and then trying to wean off it later. But the only treatment I've seen mentioned for eliminating RT3 is going on T3 meds only, and we've been working since Aug to tweek my dose.
Bottom line is I feel like I'm getting worse, not better and at this point I am contemplating taking a leave from my job to stay home and get better. Lately I am so dizzy I don't feel comfortable driving and it's getting cumbersome to find a ride to and from. Also, I feel so poorly I know my job performance is not up to par. However, me taking a leave will also be stressful as I don't know what will happen with the work while I am gone as well as what kind of mess I will return to, feeling guilty for stressing out my co-workers, and also affecting our finances.
Re: Anyone here have a problem with High Reverse T3?
Hello, how is it going for you? I just discovered I have an RT3 issue. My ratio of FT3 to RT3 is 8.7. I just did the diurnal cortisol test today, am mailing it tomorrow. I'm also checking my iodine levels and doing a full iron panel. I started taking zinc and fumic & hulvic minerals. The fumic and hulvic have really helped my energy levels!! If my iodine levels are low, I will start taking iodoral and selenium.
I really don't want to take synthetic T3 so I'm trying to address all the potential underlying causes first.
Re: Anyone here have a problem with High Reverse T3?
I am in the same boat as both of you. I do not know what to do.
Heckofagal, are you doing better? What have you tried or not tried? What is your current status?
I debate going on hydrocortisone, but I just don't know what to do. I get various opinions and explanations on why I have higher RT3. One endo told me it was because I had a virus. Others say it is because of low cortisol and/or low iron.
Re: Anyone here have a problem with High Reverse T3?
Hi Spencer1,
Have you found a doctor who acknowledges Wilsons Syndrome/RT3 Hypo? Mine does but doesn't like to prescribe T3. I read such conflicting things, some sites say the Wilson protocol is curative but on another group lots of people can't wean off T3 and stay on it long-term. I have one other doctor I want to try but have to pay OOP to see. My husband and son have chronic issues and the cost of holistic practitioners and supplements, while worth it, is really adding up. *sigh* I want to feel better.
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Re: Anyone here have a problem with High Reverse T3?
Yes, I have been to about 15 doctors. Some acknowledge it, yes. What is the Wilson Protocol? Is that just T3 only?
What is your gameplan? Has it made you gain much weight? I just don't know what to do. Are you going to try or consider hydrocortisone (HC) or glandulars (adrenal cortex) supplements?
The problem with me is that I cannot handle ANY T3 in any capacity. I get MAJOR anxiety and it feels like poison in my system. Can you handle any T3? Have you even tried that yet?
Re: Anyone here have a problem with High Reverse T3?
I am still struggling but I'm not sure if it is from the reverse T3 or because my free T's are still too low in range. I'm not sure about my ratio but my revere T3 has slowly been falling.
1/28/12: 41 (11-32)
3/29/12: 40
5/22/12: 39
My cortisol testing came back pretty well so adrenal fatigue is not an issue anymore. And I've had 7 thyroid med dose increases in the past 18 months. However, now that my doc sees my reverse T3 is too high she does not want to increase my synthroid, only my cytomel. We shall see where my numbers are at for my next labs! I've had some extreme stress at work and I wonder if that is why my reverse T3 is too high. And now I am having my typical thyroid symptoms: dizziness/lightheadedness, needing lots of sleep each day, slow digestion, acid reflux, brain fog and no stamina. Now I have a new one too...heat intolerance.
Re: Anyone here have a problem with High Reverse T3?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Heckofagal
I am still struggling but I'm not sure if it is from the reverse T3 or because my free T's are still too low in range. I'm not sure about my ratio but my revere T3 has slowly been falling.
1/28/12: 41 (11-32)
3/29/12: 40
5/22/12: 39
My cortisol testing came back pretty well so adrenal fatigue is not an issue anymore. And I've had 7 thyroid med dose increases in the past 18 months. However, now that my doc sees my reverse T3 is too high she does not want to increase my synthroid, only my cytomel. We shall see where my numbers are at for my next labs! I've had some extreme stress at work and I wonder if that is why my reverse T3 is too high. And now I am having my typical thyroid symptoms: dizziness/lightheadedness, needing lots of sleep each day, slow digestion, acid reflux, brain fog and no stamina. Now I have a new one too...heat intolerance.
Good luck!
Sorry about your stressful job.
Can you post your FT3 and RT3 with the units? The ratio is far more important than where they fall in the range.
Re: Anyone here have a problem with High Reverse T3?
Heckofagal- you can find FT3/RT3 ratio calculators online but I cannot post them here due to forum rules. Make sure you enter the correct units, or the calculation will be off.
You've not posted the units of measurement but I took a gander at your ratios and it appears that your FT3/ RT3 ratio is 8.2 (should be over 20)
I also have high RT3, compared to my FT3. My RT3 is not as high as yours but my FT3 was much lower, the ratio for mine was 6.9.
Things that come to mind that can cause poor conversion- diabetes/ insulin resistance, low Vit D, low selenium, abnormal cortisol, poor liver/ bowel function, low zinc, stress, malnutrition, chronic illness. There are too many to count. I will add more if I think of anything.
Re: Anyone here have a problem with High Reverse T3?
Based upon your lab's ranges, I don't know anyone who would feel good with a FreeT3 level of 3.2.
Most people would need at least a 3.5 and probably closer to 3.8ish to feel well.
While I feel great when both my FreeT4/T3 levels fall within a certain range within the normal range (these are called "setpoints"), I will have symptoms if either level moves out of that comfort zone.
My doctor never ran a rT3 test and I achieved wellness without it.
I have yet to understand the need some people have to calculate a ratio based upon a test that is an estimate when a single test will tell the patient exactly what is needed.
Re: Anyone here have a problem with High Reverse T3?
Quote:
Originally Posted by sammy64
I have yet to understand the need some people have to calculate a ratio based upon a test that is an estimate when a single test will tell the patient exactly what is needed.
Sammy, we disagree on this. While knowing your RT3 level and ratios may not change your course of treatment, it may reveal the underlying etiology of thyroid dysfunction.
In a hypothyroid person with normal TSH and FT4 levels, understanding that the wrong kind of conversion is taking place could help to uncover a non-thyroidal cause and bypass the need for thyroid hormone replacement.
Re: Anyone here have a problem with High Reverse T3?
Sammy I agree that I will feel better when my FreeT's are higher. But since my dr is hesitant to increase my synthroid and I am still not feeling well since my last cytomel increase I'm back to research and studying numbers. I'm not sure what to believe about RT3, but perhaps you found optimal health without running RT3 tests because it never was an issue with you.
Last edited by Administrator; 07-03-2012 at 07:14 PM.
Re: Anyone here have a problem with High Reverse T3?
Quote:
Originally Posted by bee01
Things that come to mind that can cause poor conversion- diabetes/ insulin resistance, low Vit D, low selenium, abnormal cortisol, poor liver/ bowel function, low zinc, stress, malnutrition, chronic illness. There are too many to count. I will add more if I think of anything.
Without a doubt, there are many things that will impede/impair conversion. Some of them are correctable and some of them aren't avoidable.
Of course, trying to identify a non-thyroidal cause makes sense - it's often discussed on here.
Even though my VitD level is considered "good" (68), I've been supplementing to raise it to 80 which is the level the Vitamin D council recommends for those of us with autoimmune disease. I also take 100mcg selenium to keep my level in the upper third of the range. I take SAM-e for liver health, maintain consistent daily fiber intake and make sure I eat something every 3-4 hours.
In those of us with thyroid disease, we can try to do all we can to maximize conversion. However, if our FreeT3 levels remain inadequate (and our rT3 ratios inappropriate), the only thing that will improve this is exogenous T3.
It took 2 years of suffering under the care of clueless doctors for me to realize that my research was getting me nowhere while under the care of those doctors.
Instead, I used my research to enable me to identify a thyroid-savvy doctor.
Re: Anyone here have a problem with High Reverse T3?
Quote:
Originally Posted by sammy64
In those of us with thyroid disease, we can try to do all we can to maximize conversion. However, if our FreeT3 levels remain inadequate (and our rT3 ratios inappropriate), the only thing that will improve this is exogenous T3.
And I would maintain that, since you have a known cause for your thyroid dysfunction, looking past the standard testing is not really necessary. Those of us without detectable antibodies or nodules are somewhat in limbo. I'm still not completely comfortable taking exogenous thyroid hormone when I am not sure that the thyroid is the root cause.
Re: Anyone here have a problem with High Reverse T3?
Quote:
Originally Posted by bee01
Those of us without detectable antibodies or nodules are somewhat in limbo.
People without thyroid disease can have thyroid nodules so, the presence of nodules alone would not indicate thyroid disease anyway.
Hashi's has been shown to be the most common cause of hypothyroidism yet, diagnosis can be challenging.
Per this PubMed article:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1092711
The only definitive test for Hashi's is biopsy. Since hypothyroidism is treated the same, regardless of the cause, biopsy isn't necessary. Obviously, if someone has a FNA done on a suspicious nodule, there's a chance Hashi's would be noted. The same could apply for any cellular changes that might be noted in a thyroid ultrasound.
My research continues to point to the fact that high rT3 indicates that the patient's FreeT3 levels are inadequate. The solution to this is to start T3 or increase the dose.
Since it's been confirmed that the body needs adequate stores of T4 for "on-site" conversion, adequate FreeT4 levels are also necessary for good health.
