Re: Oh, no, low ft3 with no symptoms except temp

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

> I had my husband do a blood work up since (a) he's into anti-aging therapies

and ( he's 41 now.

>

> Everything came up great except the A1c, which I figured would be bad because

he's been a vegetarian for a few years and eats way too many carbs, including

refined carbs. Fortunately, a blood glucose meter quickly changed his habits and

I am happy to report his pp1 and pp2 are both in the 90s now.

>

> But here's the kicker -- his thryoid labs.

>

> tsh 1.6 (.4 - 4.5)

> ft4 1.4 (.8 - 1.8)

> ft3 298 (230 - 420)

>

> didn't test rt3, but I can and will.

>

> I've seen this pattern before -- with myself, and I know it points to a rt3

problem. Only I feel like CRAP with labs like this and he feels GREAT! I'm not

just saying this, he has absolutely NO hypo symptoms. Tons of energy, sleeps

great, doesn't even drink coffee (makes me sick), hikes and skies for 6-8 hours

a day. Works out and bikes daily. Never ever constipated, no high lipids. Thin.

I mean, he has NO symptoms -- except one. I tested his temp today at 1:30 and

it was only 97.3. Last year, his temp averages were great.

>

> So what the heck? It appears he's hypo, but the only symptom is low temp -- so

far anyway.

>

> Could the high BG the past few years have caused a rt3 problem.

>

> Only other thing I can think of is *maybe* he is running on high cortisol and

that's why he feels good still, as I know that high cortisol is the number one

cause of rt3 issues and conversion problem, although I don't think he has any

symptoms of high cortisol, either. Not overt ones anyway, he even sleeps great,

but those may take a while to show up.

>

> I don't want him to go down the path I've been on. :-( I'm wondering if we can

nip this in the bud, we can actually fix the rt3 problem.

>

> Besides saliva testing, what else should we be doing? iron panel, b12, what

else??

>

> Also, I hate to say this, but he started DHEA 25 mg for the past 6 months or

so since he was 40, the standard age that anti-aging experts say to start DHEA.

Should he stop that 2 weeks before testing?

>

> Terrified,

> Kathleen

>

> ------------------------------------

>

> We are not medical professionals here, just patients sharing our experiences.

Please use this information with the help of a competent doctor. Yahoo! Groups

Links

>

July 14, 2010

SH*T!! I knew it. :-(( And he was my shining star of health for so long. Sigh.

Thank you for the info on the glucose and high cortisol and not being so related

to food.

Yes, my adrenals were toast as I had tons of low adrenal symptoms way before I

went hypo. I just didn't recognize them as I think I had them my whole life.

He is willing to treat. He is doing the saliva test tomorrow. Then I guess we go

from there.

I will give you a call when the results coms in as I need to discuss my own high

BG as well as what treatment to put my husband on.

Remind me to ask why low t3 causes high glucose. Because it causes high

cortisol?

Thanks SO MUCH VAL,

Kathleen

> > I had my husband do a blood work up since (a) he's into anti-aging therapies

and ( he's 41 now.

> >

> > Everything came up great except the A1c, which I figured would be bad

because he's been a vegetarian for a few years and eats way too many carbs,

including refined carbs. Fortunately, a blood glucose meter quickly changed his

habits and I am happy to report his pp1 and pp2 are both in the 90s now.

> >

> > But here's the kicker -- his thryoid labs.

> >

> > tsh 1.6 (.4 - 4.5)

> > ft4 1.4 (.8 - 1.8)

> > ft3 298 (230 - 420)

> >

> > didn't test rt3, but I can and will.

> >

> > I've seen this pattern before -- with myself, and I know it points to a rt3

problem. Only I feel like CRAP with labs like this and he feels GREAT! I'm not

just saying this, he has absolutely NO hypo symptoms. Tons of energy, sleeps

great, doesn't even drink coffee (makes me sick), hikes and skies for 6-8 hours

a day. Works out and bikes daily. Never ever constipated, no high lipids. Thin.

I mean, he has NO symptoms -- except one. I tested his temp today at 1:30 and

it was only 97.3. Last year, his temp averages were great.

> >

> > So what the heck? It appears he's hypo, but the only symptom is low temp --

so far anyway.

> >

> > Could the high BG the past few years have caused a rt3 problem.

> >

> > Only other thing I can think of is *maybe* he is running on high cortisol

and that's why he feels good still, as I know that high cortisol is the number

one cause of rt3 issues and conversion problem, although I don't think he has

any symptoms of high cortisol, either. Not overt ones anyway, he even sleeps

great, but those may take a while to show up.

> >

> > I don't want him to go down the path I've been on. :-( I'm wondering if we

can nip this in the bud, we can actually fix the rt3 problem.

> >

> > Besides saliva testing, what else should we be doing? iron panel, b12, what

else??

> >

> > Also, I hate to say this, but he started DHEA 25 mg for the past 6 months or

so since he was 40, the standard age that anti-aging experts say to start DHEA.

Should he stop that 2 weeks before testing?

> >

> > Terrified,

> > Kathleen

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> > We are not medical professionals here, just patients sharing our

experiences. Please use this information with the help of a competent doctor.

July 14, 2010

Kathleen,

I'm so glad you posted this, as I just did the SAME thing with my husband LOL

Like yours, my husband is the epitome of good health and fitness--never gets

sick, works out vigorously, sleeps well, etc so I thought I would use his

thyroid numbers as a barometer of good health.

YIKES! he not only came up slightly hypo with TSH (2.95) and low FT3, but he has

high reverse T3!

And the only symptom he has also is low temps---basal 96.8 and only peaks mid

day at 97.5 (which I had never even bothered to check before this because he

never has cold hands and feet like I do)

And his 4xday adrenal test came out perfect---the ZRT guy even noted it on his

report. And his ferritin is great.

So I don't know how he got such high RT3 and sluggish thyroid, but i think

Val's advice is important that we catch/treat them now, rather than wait til

they get health repercussions down the road like we did.

I think I am going to try super thyroid support first before trying any meds and

recheck in 8 weeks if it made any difference. Let me know if you have a better

idea.

I think men get often forgotten in the whole thyroid thing---no doctor ever even

checked his TSH before.

Kate

> > I had my husband do a blood work up since (a) he's into anti-aging therapies

and ( he's 41 now.

> >

> > Everything came up great except the A1c, which I figured would be bad

because he's been a vegetarian for a few years and eats way too many carbs,

including refined carbs. Fortunately, a blood glucose meter quickly changed his

habits and I am happy to report his pp1 and pp2 are both in the 90s now.

> >

> > But here's the kicker -- his thryoid labs.

> >

> > tsh 1.6 (.4 - 4.5)

> > ft4 1.4 (.8 - 1.8)

> > ft3 298 (230 - 420)

> >

> > didn't test rt3, but I can and will.

> >

> > I've seen this pattern before -- with myself, and I know it points to a rt3

problem. Only I feel like CRAP with labs like this and he feels GREAT! I'm not

just saying this, he has absolutely NO hypo symptoms. Tons of energy, sleeps

great, doesn't even drink coffee (makes me sick), hikes and skies for 6-8 hours

a day. Works out and bikes daily. Never ever constipated, no high lipids. Thin.

I mean, he has NO symptoms -- except one. I tested his temp today at 1:30 and

it was only 97.3. Last year, his temp averages were great.

> >

> > So what the heck? It appears he's hypo, but the only symptom is low temp --

so far anyway.

> >

> > Could the high BG the past few years have caused a rt3 problem.

> >

> > Only other thing I can think of is *maybe* he is running on high cortisol

and that's why he feels good still, as I know that high cortisol is the number

one cause of rt3 issues and conversion problem, although I don't think he has

any symptoms of high cortisol, either. Not overt ones anyway, he even sleeps

great, but those may take a while to show up.

> >

> > I don't want him to go down the path I've been on. :-( I'm wondering if we

can nip this in the bud, we can actually fix the rt3 problem.

> >

> > Besides saliva testing, what else should we be doing? iron panel, b12, what

else??

> >

> > Also, I hate to say this, but he started DHEA 25 mg for the past 6 months or

so since he was 40, the standard age that anti-aging experts say to start DHEA.

Should he stop that 2 weeks before testing?

> >

> > Terrified,

> > Kathleen

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> > We are not medical professionals here, just patients sharing our

experiences. Please use this information with the help of a competent doctor.

July 14, 2010

Oh, Kate, it is good to hear from you! If we get too OT, maybe we can email? I'm

like you; I didn't even bother to test his rt3 because I thought " Oh, let's test

your hormones now when you feel good to see what good hormone levels are for

you. " Then YIKES!

I am SO scared for my husband, and I was worried he wouldn't go along with me

when I told him his thyroid labs suck and we need to do a SALIVA test to check

his cortisol, lol. But he did go along. He is really into the anti-aging thing,

so maybe that has something to do with it. And he knows I have researched this

stuff a lot and so maybe he just trusts me.

I don't have the results of the saliva yet, he's just doing it tomorrow (or

maybe Friday when I will be here all day), so I am not sure what road we will

take yet.

A part of me is hoping that if his cortisol is too high, then fixing that may

fix the rt3 problem. But what if being hypo CAUSED the high cortisol in the

first place? I guess I could try fixing the high cortisol for a couple months

and see if his thyroid labs improve. If not, then he'll just have to go onto t3

only. I don't see any other way.

Since your husband has perfect cortisol, I guess you're in the same boat. If he

feels fine, then maybe try something like Super Thyroid Support (what is that,

anyway?) for 6 weeks sounds reasonable and go to meds as last resort -- but

before he gets hypo symptoms.

The thing I hate about making him go onto t3 is that the process may be rocky.

But then again, maybe not. I was sick and had burned out adrenals and didn't

know about rt3, hence all my rockiness, I'm sure. Since our husbands feel fine

right now, they may not feel " rocky " at all on t3. In fact, my sister, who has

high cortisol, tolerates t3 with no problems at all. In fact, she only takes it

twice a day -- 50 mcg each time. I could never do that! And with your husband's

perfect cortisol, he may handle t3 just fine, too, if you do have to go there.

But OH NO, if they are so damn " healthy " and full of energy now, what the heck

will they be like after we fix them, LOL? I can't even keep up now!

Kathleen :-)

> > > I had my husband do a blood work up since (a) he's into anti-aging

therapies and ( he's 41 now.

> > >

> > > Everything came up great except the A1c, which I figured would be bad

because he's been a vegetarian for a few years and eats way too many carbs,

including refined carbs. Fortunately, a blood glucose meter quickly changed his

habits and I am happy to report his pp1 and pp2 are both in the 90s now.

> > >

> > > But here's the kicker -- his thryoid labs.

> > >

> > > tsh 1.6 (.4 - 4.5)

> > > ft4 1.4 (.8 - 1.8)

> > > ft3 298 (230 - 420)

> > >

> > > didn't test rt3, but I can and will.

> > >

> > > I've seen this pattern before -- with myself, and I know it points to a

rt3 problem. Only I feel like CRAP with labs like this and he feels GREAT! I'm

not just saying this, he has absolutely NO hypo symptoms. Tons of energy, sleeps

great, doesn't even drink coffee (makes me sick), hikes and skies for 6-8 hours

a day. Works out and bikes daily. Never ever constipated, no high lipids. Thin.

I mean, he has NO symptoms -- except one. I tested his temp today at 1:30 and

it was only 97.3. Last year, his temp averages were great.

> > >

> > > So what the heck? It appears he's hypo, but the only symptom is low temp

-- so far anyway.

> > >

> > > Could the high BG the past few years have caused a rt3 problem.

> > >

> > > Only other thing I can think of is *maybe* he is running on high cortisol

and that's why he feels good still, as I know that high cortisol is the number

one cause of rt3 issues and conversion problem, although I don't think he has

any symptoms of high cortisol, either. Not overt ones anyway, he even sleeps

great, but those may take a while to show up.

> > >

> > > I don't want him to go down the path I've been on. :-( I'm wondering if we

can nip this in the bud, we can actually fix the rt3 problem.

> > >

> > > Besides saliva testing, what else should we be doing? iron panel, b12,

what else??

> > >

> > > Also, I hate to say this, but he started DHEA 25 mg for the past 6 months

or so since he was 40, the standard age that anti-aging experts say to start

DHEA. Should he stop that 2 weeks before testing?

> > >

> > > Terrified,

> > > Kathleen

> > >

> > > ------------------------------------

> > >

> > > We are not medical professionals here, just patients sharing our

experiences. Please use this information with the help of a competent doctor.

July 14, 2010

Ever hear the term " Metabolic Syndrome " ? Hypothyroidism and Diabetes go

hand in hand in this. Low thyroid we do NOT burn calories or handle

sugar properly. This si why we get fat on the same foods others do not.

HYpothyroidism causes insulin resistance. Then the adrenals get

involved. We stres because of our weight an waning energy and STRESS is

coritosl. Cortisll dump more glucose into the system for that BURST of

energy we have needed so we continue to do this. early stages this

coritl sjust causes a little insuoin reisstance enough that a fasting

glucose is nto perfect but not alarming. But then is when you NEED TO

PAY ATTENTION. I firmly beleive stoppign it then is the key to not

developing full blown Diabetes. Now when I started takign HC my glucose

went DOWN. Thsi si contrary to everyhing I or you will ever read

anywhere but here. The reason it went down is because I got less hypo

when on HC. My body started ot be able to burn caloried again and the

furnace is turned up. Body heat burns calories and thus glucose. I think

RT3 it the Antichrist in this issue! It undoes the good of proper diet

and exercise as it makes it impossible for us to continue to exercise

btu onyl raises cortils mroe which causes more insulin resistance and

more weight gain, see how we are becoming Diabteics? And it si NOT from

eating improperly, at all. But not eating properly wil make ti happen

faster. So it si vital to have a good clean low carb diet while workign

with thyroid and adrneals to avoid Diabetes. Diabetes, like RT3 is sself

promoting. High glucose dmages the beta cells that produce insulin so

you can';t produce enough insulin and glucose gets higher.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

> SH*T!! I knew it. :-(( And he was my shining star of health for so long. Sigh.

>

> Thank you for the info on the glucose and high cortisol and not being so

related to food.

>

> Yes, my adrenals were toast as I had tons of low adrenal symptoms way before I

went hypo. I just didn't recognize them as I think I had them my whole life.

>

> He is willing to treat. He is doing the saliva test tomorrow. Then I guess we

go from there.

>

> I will give you a call when the results coms in as I need to discuss my own

high BG as well as what treatment to put my husband on.

>

> Remind me to ask why low t3 causes high glucose. Because it causes high

cortisol?

>

> Thanks SO MUCH VAL,

> Kathleen

>

>>

>>> I had my husband do a blood work up since (a) he's into anti-aging therapies

and ( he's 41 now.

>>>

>>> Everything came up great except the A1c, which I figured would be bad

because he's been a vegetarian for a few years and eats way too many carbs,

including refined carbs. Fortunately, a blood glucose meter quickly changed his

habits and I am happy to report his pp1 and pp2 are both in the 90s now.

>>>

>>> But here's the kicker -- his thryoid labs.

>>>

>>> tsh 1.6 (.4 - 4.5)

>>> ft4 1.4 (.8 - 1.8)

>>> ft3 298 (230 - 420)

>>>

>>> didn't test rt3, but I can and will.

>>>

>>> I've seen this pattern before -- with myself, and I know it points to a rt3

problem. Only I feel like CRAP with labs like this and he feels GREAT! I'm not

just saying this, he has absolutely NO hypo symptoms. Tons of energy, sleeps

great, doesn't even drink coffee (makes me sick), hikes and skies for 6-8 hours

a day. Works out and bikes daily. Never ever constipated, no high lipids. Thin.

I mean, he has NO symptoms -- except one. I tested his temp today at 1:30 and

it was only 97.3. Last year, his temp averages were great.

>>>

>>> So what the heck? It appears he's hypo, but the only symptom is low temp --

so far anyway.

>>>

>>> Could the high BG the past few years have caused a rt3 problem.

>>>

>>> Only other thing I can think of is *maybe* he is running on high cortisol

and that's why he feels good still, as I know that high cortisol is the number

one cause of rt3 issues and conversion problem, although I don't think he has

any symptoms of high cortisol, either. Not overt ones anyway, he even sleeps

great, but those may take a while to show up.

>>>

>>> I don't want him to go down the path I've been on. :-( I'm wondering if we

can nip this in the bud, we can actually fix the rt3 problem.

>>>

>>> Besides saliva testing, what else should we be doing? iron panel, b12, what

else??

>>>

>>> Also, I hate to say this, but he started DHEA 25 mg for the past 6 months or

so since he was 40, the standard age that anti-aging experts say to start DHEA.

Should he stop that 2 weeks before testing?

>>>

>>> Terrified,

>>> Kathleen

>>>

>>> ------------------------------------

>>>

>>> We are not medical professionals here, just patients sharing our

experiences. Please use this information with the help of a competent doctor.

July 14, 2010

Thank you for that very detailed explanation. The hypoT epidemic is scary. I

don't understand why so many are hypo -- although you once mentioned our tap

water. Another poster in this thread said her husband is experiencing the same

exact thing. She has no idea how he went into rt3 mode as his cortisol and

ferritin are fine!

Actually, taking HC lowered by BG at first as well. I'm not sure if it's because

I went less unhypo or because it stopped the massive Adrenaline rushes that were

making my BG go WAY to high.

When I went to 25 HC, I think it shut down my own cortisol enough that I didn't

have enough for proper maintenance of BG. I was waking up with BG in the 60s.

That's when I started the bedtime dose.

But I had to keep taking more and more HC to tolerate the t3. This was before I

went onto Florinef, but I'm still on 45 HC. Now my BG is going in the toilet the

past few weeks. I can maintain good levels (Fasting in 80, PP1 usually under

120, always under 130, PP2 under 120) with diet, but I really have to work at

it. I can barely eat any carbs at all except veggies. So I am concerned my HC is

now too high.

Something I will discuss on the phone. Don't worry, I am making a list! :-)

Kathleen

>

> Ever hear the term " Metabolic Syndrome " ? Hypothyroidism and Diabetes go

> hand in hand in this. Low thyroid we do NOT burn calories or handle

> sugar properly. This si why we get fat on the same foods others do not.

> HYpothyroidism causes insulin resistance. Then the adrenals get

> involved. We stres because of our weight an waning energy and STRESS is

> coritosl. Cortisll dump more glucose into the system for that BURST of

> energy we have needed so we continue to do this. early stages this

> coritl sjust causes a little insuoin reisstance enough that a fasting

> glucose is nto perfect but not alarming. But then is when you NEED TO

> PAY ATTENTION. I firmly beleive stoppign it then is the key to not

> developing full blown Diabetes. Now when I started takign HC my glucose

> went DOWN. Thsi si contrary to everyhing I or you will ever read

> anywhere but here. The reason it went down is because I got less hypo

> when on HC. My body started ot be able to burn caloried again and the

> furnace is turned up. Body heat burns calories and thus glucose. I think

> RT3 it the Antichrist in this issue! It undoes the good of proper diet

> and exercise as it makes it impossible for us to continue to exercise

> btu onyl raises cortils mroe which causes more insulin resistance and

> more weight gain, see how we are becoming Diabteics? And it si NOT from

> eating improperly, at all. But not eating properly wil make ti happen

> faster. So it si vital to have a good clean low carb diet while workign

> with thyroid and adrneals to avoid Diabetes. Diabetes, like RT3 is sself

> promoting. High glucose dmages the beta cells that produce insulin so

> you can';t produce enough insulin and glucose gets higher.

>

> http://faqhelp.webs.com/

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/RT3_T3/

> http://www.thyroid-rt3.com/

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HypoPets/

> http://artisticgrooming.net/

>

July 14, 2010

Kathleen,

LOL---I know what you mean about ALL that healthy energy!

I think we are okay being " on topic " as this pertains to RT3, and in fact I was

thinking how unusual this is as usually the RT3 posts on this forum are from

those of us in the late stages that found our high RT3 too late after it had

already raised such health-havoc.

But our husbands are examples of how EVERYONE should be tested for RT3 and full

thyroid labs as routine health check-- no matter how healthy they are, so they

have time to turn it around in the early stages before it causes damage. We

don't get to see any examples of the " healthy " ones with high RT3, so this will

be interesting to see if it can be turned around with support, or if they will

also need meds.

By super thyroid support, I meant I would try all the RT3/thyroid/adrenal

support stuff that we talk about here---iron, B12, magnesium, selenium and zinc

for deodinase enzyme support,etc,etc, and if he doesn't have antibodies maybe

some low dosing of iodine. Then if his FT3 goes up and his RT3 goes down some,

I'll know he just has a sluggish thyroid that needs some extra support. All

suggestions/opinions are welcome!

But here's the weird thing---he has very low--almost out of range low FT4. So

how could he have such high RT3 without his body making much T4?

Did your husband have high or low T4 levels? (Sorry, I can't see your old post

while I write this)

I realized after reading Val's comments, that even though my husband's adrenals

are good, maybe as Val said, they are what has been supporting his weak thyroid

all along---and just a matter of time til they go. I think like your husband,

his glucose is a little high also---I will get that checked-thanks. And I guess

we should get their antibodies checked to see if they have Hashi or just weak

thyroids.

Feel free to email me or keep in touch with any insights you get. Your husband

is so lucky to have such an attentive and caring mate!!

Warm regards, Kate

> > > > I had my husband do a blood work up since (a) he's into anti-aging

therapies and ( he's 41 now.

> > > >

> > > > Everything came up great except the A1c, which I figured would be bad

because he's been a vegetarian for a few years and eats way too many carbs,

including refined carbs. Fortunately, a blood glucose meter quickly changed his

habits and I am happy to report his pp1 and pp2 are both in the 90s now.

> > > >

> > > > But here's the kicker -- his thryoid labs.

> > > >

> > > > tsh 1.6 (.4 - 4.5)

> > > > ft4 1.4 (.8 - 1.8)

> > > > ft3 298 (230 - 420)

> > > >

> > > > didn't test rt3, but I can and will.

> > > >

> > > > I've seen this pattern before -- with myself, and I know it points to a

rt3 problem. Only I feel like CRAP with labs like this and he feels GREAT! I'm

not just saying this, he has absolutely NO hypo symptoms. Tons of energy, sleeps

great, doesn't even drink coffee (makes me sick), hikes and skies for 6-8 hours

a day. Works out and bikes daily. Never ever constipated, no high lipids. Thin.

I mean, he has NO symptoms -- except one. I tested his temp today at 1:30 and

it was only 97.3. Last year, his temp averages were great.

> > > >

> > > > So what the heck? It appears he's hypo, but the only symptom is low temp

-- so far anyway.

> > > >

> > > > Could the high BG the past few years have caused a rt3 problem.

> > > >

> > > > Only other thing I can think of is *maybe* he is running on high

cortisol and that's why he feels good still, as I know that high cortisol is the

number one cause of rt3 issues and conversion problem, although I don't think he

has any symptoms of high cortisol, either. Not overt ones anyway, he even sleeps

great, but those may take a while to show up.

> > > >

> > > > I don't want him to go down the path I've been on. :-( I'm wondering if

we can nip this in the bud, we can actually fix the rt3 problem.

> > > >

> > > > Besides saliva testing, what else should we be doing? iron panel, b12,

what else??

> > > >

> > > > Also, I hate to say this, but he started DHEA 25 mg for the past 6

months or so since he was 40, the standard age that anti-aging experts say to

start DHEA. Should he stop that 2 weeks before testing?

> > > >

> > > > Terrified,

> > > > Kathleen

> > > >

> > > > ------------------------------------

> > > >

> > > > We are not medical professionals here, just patients sharing our

experiences. Please use this information with the help of a competent doctor.

July 14, 2010

> Kathleen,

>

> LOL---I know what you mean about ALL that healthy energy!

;-)

> I think we are okay being " on topic " as this pertains to RT3, and in fact I

was thinking how unusual this is as usually the RT3 posts on this forum are from

those of us in the late stages that found our high RT3 too late after it had

already raised such health-havoc.>>>>

Yes, all the posts are from those of us that feel like crapolo. I'm really

interested, too, to see how this works out for somehow who doesn't feel the

effects, yet.

> But our husbands are examples of how EVERYONE should be tested for RT3 and

full thyroid labs as routine health check-- no matter how healthy they are, so

they have time to turn it around in the early stages before it causes damage. We

don't get to see any examples of the " healthy " ones with high RT3, so this will

be interesting to see if it can be turned around with support, or if they will

also need meds.>>>>>

Agreed!

> By super thyroid support, I meant I would try all the RT3/thyroid/adrenal

support stuff that we talk about here---iron, B12, magnesium, selenium and zinc

for deodinase enzyme support,etc,etc, and if he doesn't have antibodies maybe

some low dosing of iodine. Then if his FT3 goes up and his RT3 goes down some,

I'll know he just has a sluggish thyroid that needs some extra support. All

suggestions/opinions are welcome!

>

> But here's the weird thing---he has very low--almost out of range low FT4. So

how could he have such high RT3 without his body making much T4? <<<<<

I don't know! How low was the ft3? Was it so low that it seems possible that

most of the t4 he does make goes right to rt3? Or maybe his clearance is really

bad and it builds up more than other people's rt3. I have no idea, sorry.

There is a book out, " Why do I Feel So Bad if my Thyroid Levels are Normal. " I

know this book has been criticized and just plain questioned but it does have

some interesting things in it that someone in your husband's situation might

acutally benefit from. You might try to get a copy. It says there are 22 low

thyroid patterns and there are interesting things on what to do for each pattern

as well as the cause, etc. It also has suggestions for Hashi's that I actually

think have some merit - especially if Hashi's is caught in time. With the low

t4, your husband may just have Hashi's and no, this is one book that does not

advocate iodone for Hashi patient's, unlike most alternative practitioners. It

also had some interesting things for deodinase enzyme support. For example, it

talks about how you need a neurotransmitter base to convert properly. This must

be a catch 22 because you need t3 to make neurotransmitters! He says many low t3

people have low serotonin and low dopamine and recommends supplements (like 5htp

and modest amounts of tyrosine) to try to bring those up. I was too far gone for

that to help me, really, but as we said, our husbands are in different boats!

> Did your husband have high or low T4 levels? (Sorry, I can't see your old post

while I write this)<<

Well, this is the problem. My husband has midrange to almost too high ft4 of 1.4

with low ft3 of 290 something. So he definitely makes plenty of t4 (just like

me!) but he obviously isn't converting it to ft3. So, writing this, there really

is no need for me to test his rt3. The t4 is going somewhere and it ain't going

to ft3. :-( So, no iodine for him. In fact, I stopped his multi-mineral today

b/c it has some iodine in it. I bought new iodine free ones.

Also, he's taken selenium and zinc for eons in recommended levels. I've had him

on magnesium for at least 2 years if not more like 5. The only thing he might be

low in is b12 or iron because he's vegetarian, although his minerals always have

iron in them. I didn't check it with labs, but b12 can't hurt anyone, so I

bought him some of the methylated kind. Like you, I want to try everything!

> I realized after reading Val's comments, that even though my husband's

adrenals are good, maybe as Val said, they are what has been supporting his weak

thyroid all along---and just a matter of time til they go. I think like your

husband, his glucose is a little high also---I will get that checked-thanks.

And I guess we should get their antibodies checked to see if they have Hashi or

just weak thyroids.

>>>

Yeah, I thought about Hashi's, too. But USUALLY with Hashi's, you end up with

both low t4 and t3, although not always I know. I have Hashi antibodies, but

they are negligble and I've always made plenty of t3. Does Hashi's prevent

conversion? I don't think that's how it usually works. At any rate, I did go

gluten free based on Diane's recs and reading the book I mentioned above as one

autoimmune usually means you have or are prone to more. I don't know he'll

handle going gluten free, though! Then again, I cook our dinners with no gluten

and he doesn't eat toast in the morning, so maybe it won't be that bad.

I think this HAS to be the case with the cortisol supporting our husband's

seemingly good health or how could they feel well and be so active? It would be

impossible, I'm sure.

I am actually hoping he has high cortisol, as I think maybe we can fix that and

oh, hopefully, fix the rt3 problem as he does make plenty of t4. If the cortisol

is high, then my plan will be to try to lower it with Seriphos and adaptogens,

plus DHEA (he's low anyway by optimal standards), probably put him on t3 only

for a good 3 months to clear out the rt3 from the receptors and try to wean him

off and see if he converts normally again. Keeping fingers crossed! Maybe if you

catch it early, a modified 's type protocol might actually work!

> Feel free to email me or keep in touch with any insights you get.

Kate, the only thing I can think to tell you that you haven't thought of is that

rt3 is supposed to be self perpetuating, meaning we should try to clear it out

and I know the only way to do that is to take t3 only. But I do support your

ideas to try other methods first as you certainly have some time on your side,

whereas most people here didn't, unfortunately.

>>>Your husband is so lucky to have such an attentive and caring mate!!> Warm

regards, Kate

I doubt he sees it that way, LOL!!! But thank you. :-) And same for your

husband, of course! Until you start picking him with the glucose sticks. ;-)

Kathleen

July 16, 2010

Hi Kathleen:

I suspect my husband is in the same boat with the two of yours! I will be

testing him again shortly...he has many symptoms and strong family thyroid and

diabetes history. I haven't been feeling good enough to tackle it or write

about it a lot lately but I am following this and will chime in as I can!

Your posts are always interesting and good. I really enjoy reading them. You

are a very good writer! You must have been a good atty!!

Hugs,

Terri

> >

> > Ever hear the term " Metabolic Syndrome " ? Hypothyroidism and Diabetes go

> > hand in hand in this. Low thyroid we do NOT burn calories or handle

> > sugar properly. This si why we get fat on the same foods others do not.

> > HYpothyroidism causes insulin resistance. Then the adrenals get

> > involved. We stres because of our weight an waning energy and STRESS is

> > coritosl. Cortisll dump more glucose into the system for that BURST of

> > energy we have needed so we continue to do this. early stages this

> > coritl sjust causes a little insuoin reisstance enough that a fasting

> > glucose is nto perfect but not alarming. But then is when you NEED TO

> > PAY ATTENTION. I firmly beleive stoppign it then is the key to not

> > developing full blown Diabetes. Now when I started takign HC my glucose

> > went DOWN. Thsi si contrary to everyhing I or you will ever read

> > anywhere but here. The reason it went down is because I got less hypo

> > when on HC. My body started ot be able to burn caloried again and the

> > furnace is turned up. Body heat burns calories and thus glucose. I think

> > RT3 it the Antichrist in this issue! It undoes the good of proper diet

> > and exercise as it makes it impossible for us to continue to exercise

> > btu onyl raises cortils mroe which causes more insulin resistance and

> > more weight gain, see how we are becoming Diabteics? And it si NOT from

> > eating improperly, at all. But not eating properly wil make ti happen

> > faster. So it si vital to have a good clean low carb diet while workign

> > with thyroid and adrneals to avoid Diabetes. Diabetes, like RT3 is sself

> > promoting. High glucose dmages the beta cells that produce insulin so

> > you can';t produce enough insulin and glucose gets higher.

> >

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

> > http://faqhelp.webs.com/

> > http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/RT3_T3/

> > http://www.thyroid-rt3.com/

> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HypoPets/

> > http://artisticgrooming.net/

> >

>

July 16, 2010

Thanks, Terri! That is very sweet of you. :-) Yes, I did almost only research

and writing as an attorney; had absoultely no interest in doing trials or going

to court. Can't say I miss it much, though! Those 60 hour work weeks and all the

coffee and all-nighters probably finished off my adrenals. :-(

I'm sure our husbaneds love us. :-) In fact, there are now 3 of us, as Joan just

posted that HER husband has low temps, too! I wonder why men don't seem to show

the symptoms. Then again, maybe we all had low temps way before I actually felt

ill. I wonder if men have stronger adrenals in general and run off cortisol a

lot longer? It seems there are more women here than men.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

Kathleen

>

> Hi Kathleen:

>

> I suspect my husband is in the same boat with the two of yours! I will be

testing him again shortly...he has many symptoms and strong family thyroid and

diabetes history. I haven't been feeling good enough to tackle it or write

about it a lot lately but I am following this and will chime in as I can!

>

> Your posts are always interesting and good. I really enjoy reading them. You

are a very good writer! You must have been a good atty!!

>

> Hugs,

>

> Terri

>

July 17, 2010

> It seems there are more women here than men.

I saw an interesting article saying it was pregnancy that produced a

lot of the thyroid strain.

The stats for women who have not had children show the same rate of

thyroid issues as men have

Nick

--

for more information on RT3 and Thyroid Resistance go to

www.thyroid-rt3.com

July 17, 2010

I don;t think it is pregnancy but LOW IORON which women have more

problems wiht than men. I never was PG and I certianly have the issue

but I IDD have very low iron bakc inthe day! LOL

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

>

>> It seems there are more women here than men.

>>

> I saw an interesting article saying it was pregnancy that produced a

> lot of the thyroid strain.

>

> The stats for women who have not had children show the same rate of

> thyroid issues as men have

>

> Nick

>

July 17, 2010

YES! RE VAl's post---I also didn't have any pregnancies, but was low in iron

before menopause.

But I also think men are NOT getting adequate thyroid checks from their docs.

Most men I know don't ever even get a TSH test in their yearly physical.

Kate

> >

> >> It seems there are more women here than men.

> >>

> > I saw an interesting article saying it was pregnancy that produced a

> > lot of the thyroid strain.

> >

> > The stats for women who have not had children show the same rate of

> > thyroid issues as men have

> >

> > Nick

> >

>

July 17, 2010

Well, I've never had a child, either, so the iron issue makes more sense

although I know post-partum depression is said to usually be hypo.

Kathleen

> >

> >> It seems there are more women here than men.

> >>

> > I saw an interesting article saying it was pregnancy that produced a

> > lot of the thyroid strain.

> >

> > The stats for women who have not had children show the same rate of

> > thyroid issues as men have

> >

> > Nick

> >

>

July 17, 2010

Maybe it's just that men tend to not go to the doctor, but how anyone could feel

as crappy as I did and NOT seek out treatment somewhere is beyond me!

Kathleen

> > >

> > >> It seems there are more women here than men.

> > >>

> > > I saw an interesting article saying it was pregnancy that produced a

> > > lot of the thyroid strain.

> > >

> > > The stats for women who have not had children show the same rate of

> > > thyroid issues as men have

> > >

> > > Nick

> > >

> >

>

July 17, 2010

Think about the stress of giving birth. It is knwom in 's peoel

that the third trimester of pregnancy cuases cortils needs ot TRIPLE. SO

wiht all that high cortiosl in the last of PG don't ya think ther eis

some RT3 happening? This si alos probably the cause of gestational

Diabetes and swollen ankles etc. but HIGH cortisol is a kNOWN cause of

RT3, so post partum depression is very likly to be low T3 and high RT3.