Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
Hiya -
I am pleased to report that I FINALLY got the lab report back. Disappointed that the doctor did not re-test free T's. GGGGRRRRR!
But he did test for MTHFR (negative) and the Hashi stuff (which was unnecessary because I KNOW I am negative and told him that.)
The only useful information is:
Reverse T3: 15.8 (9.0-27.0)
Looks really good on the surface, but not sure what it means OR if I need to probe further.
Didn't get the adrenal spitting contest results back - but I am sooooooo tired of fighting, that I GIVE UP!
Would appreciate some insights.
Sending Love.
I am pleased to report that I FINALLY got the lab report back. Disappointed that the doctor did not re-test free T's. GGGGRRRRR!
But he did test for MTHFR (negative) and the Hashi stuff (which was unnecessary because I KNOW I am negative and told him that.)
The only useful information is:
Reverse T3: 15.8 (9.0-27.0)
Looks really good on the surface, but not sure what it means OR if I need to probe further.
Didn't get the adrenal spitting contest results back - but I am sooooooo tired of fighting, that I GIVE UP!
Would appreciate some insights.
Sending Love.
ARRRRGGGGHHHHHH! I have 2 weeks until my deductible goes back to $3,000.
Think I will arrange for blood work with my primary care doctor. She is far from a thyroid expert (that is why she wants me to find someone who IS) but she is always responsive.
I am beginning to appreciate her more and more.
For the RT3 you want to see that level at the bottom of the range. Of course for the FT3 you want to see that number near the top of lab range for 'optimal'. Once you have both those test results you can then calculate the Reverse T3 Ratio which you want to see that over 20. Stop the Thyroid Madness has the conversion calculator but you will need the lab numbers along with the units of measure to calculate it out.
High RT3 can keep you very thyroid sick!! That is what I dealt with and finally had a dr run the test, which is oh so important!! ~~If you end up having a high rt3 level the way you typically address it is to reduce any T4 medication, because the T4 is what converts into the in-active RT3, and then you add in a T3 drug such as Cytomel or liothyronine drug. The sudden onset of direct T3 over time will clear out the RT3 from the cells. In turn, this will allow the good T3 to get inside the cells like needed. This process can take on estimate 8-12 weeks. And its important in the mean time to evaluate Iron/Ferritin and look into adrenal fatigue because those are the top two contributors to a high RT3 level. Also diet can play a role. And these need help if there is a problem because it will just happen again if the issue isn't addressed. For anyone not getting adrenal testing help from doctor, you can order your own cortisol saliva 4-point test kit at CanaryClub.org which will get you a ZRT Lab cortisol test kit which you then mail in and receive results with information re: how well your adrenals are functioning. Dr Wilson also has a fabulous book on adrenal fatigue and how to address the problem.
This is an absolute nightmare!
And if this is happening to ME, I am just shuddering to think of what is happening to people who are not as educated, not as assertive, don't speak English or have some kind of mental/emotional issues....
UN-Real!
PS What's the name of Dr. Wilson's book?
I'm sorry you're going through the medical-maze-square-dance (I could call it something else, but I might get banned...it begins with "cluster").
I remember when the "tables turned" a few decades ago. I was an eager student who wanted to be a doctor. In our "introduction" classes we had a professor (economics, I think) come in to do our "Health Care Delivery Systems Intro" class. What. An. Eye. Opener. In that class he covered a great deal of ground about how the "local hospital" was a thing of the past, and that patients should be treated like hotel guests, and everything was "ala carte", not a "table d'hte" .
It was during that loooong introduction class that I realized: We, the people, are commodities in the health care industry. And, just like when buying a used car - we have to BEWARE as we are the buyer.
"But that's not good, is it?" My younger self naively said.
"Why not? Don't you want to make a profit as a doctor?" He retorted.
"Not off the backs of the poor, uneducated, or terribly ill. I mean, how can you choose what you need...if you're sick?"
He laughed at me. "That's why you need a healthcare advocate.." and moved on to -that- industry model.
I'm not trying to make this worse...I just want you to know that institutions, the streets, homeless shelters, and prisons are full of people who weren't savvy or had the misfortune of getting sick without people around to help them through the "delivery system".
Let the buyer beware....
My advice:
First, don't give up.
Second, don't give up.
Good luck...and don't give up.