Re: Granny Chris - T3- To Laurel

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurel -

Those are some good questions, and it sounds like you have an unusual

problem with the T3 levels. You say that you have a " reasonably high

T3 and T4. " Is this when you are taking a T3 supplement in addition

to the thyroxine, or not?

It's interesting that you mention that the T3 is circulating, but

might not be going where it should. This is something to consider,

but I'm lost as to how to interpret this. I know that T4 is

converted to T3 in peripheral tissues (outside the thyroid gland

itself) mostly in the liver, but also in the brain, pituitary, brown

adipose tissue (body fat, basically). Maybe some of the conversion

sites are retaining the T3 and not letting it circulate to where it

can be used? Or maybe it ends up somewhere that might affect the

heart more than it should?

I'm really stumped here, but I would venture to say that you might

need to more closely monitor your FT3 levels (yeah, I know how the

docs pooh-pooh this, so it's a challenge just getting their

attention) and try to find the right level for you. A level that

will give you the benefits of ENOUGH T3, but not so much that it

affects your heart adversely.

Even though you have had RAI, you still have the conversion sites

(liver, brain, etc.). Since synthroid, etc. is supposed to be

identical to the thyroid's thyroxine, it " should " convert to T3 in

the same manner. However, some people seem to have conversion

problems anyway. In my case, I seem to be converting too much T4

into T3. My liver enzymes are all at good levels, so I figure I'm

getting too much selenium.

Have you had a liver profile lately? Maybe you can find some answers

there. Just a wild guess.

I've posted a few links and excerpts on selenium and triiodothyronine

(T3) - maybe you can find something in there that will ring a bell.

I did find one study that showed *low* selenium caused *high* T3--

just the opposite of all the other studies I've seen...... That

really set my head to spinning. Anyway, look through these links and

see if you find something that might help. If not, we'll try some

more theories.

http://www.psycheducation.org/thyroid/studies.htm

Quote:

Translation: The authors tried adding T3 in nine people who were

already on T4. These patients were all having symptoms of depression,

and all taking antidepressant treatment. They were on T4 because of

known thyroid problems, which were identified separately from the

depression problems. When T3 was added to the T4 they were already

receiving, seven of the nine patients (78%) clearly became less

depressed. End Quote.

------------------

http://www.whale.to/m/selenium1.html

Quote:

Regarding the thyroid, selenium is a component of the enzyme that

helps convert T4 to T3 peripherally, so deficiencies of selenium may

impair thyroid function and promote hypothyroidism. According to the

New England Journal, " selenium deficiency can result in thyroid

injury and decreased extrathyroidal triiodothyronine production "

(reduced peripheral T3 production.) Some experts believe that low T3

levels may be characteristic in areas with insufficient selenium.

Studies also show that excess intake of selenium may also depress T3

levels . With some scientists suspecting that there may be a viral

component or trigger to certain autoimmune conditions such as the

common thyroid condition known as Hashimoto's Disease, the anti-viral

properties of selenium also become more interesting, and further

research into that connection as relates to thyroid disease

particularly would be illuminating. End Quote.

------------------------

http://www.nutritionfocus.com/nutrition_library/healthy_living/seleniu

m.html

Quote:

Hypothyroidism:

Selenium is a component of the enzyme that is needed to produce the

thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3). T3 is the preponderant

metabolic thyroid hormone. The selenium-containing enzyme,

iodothyronine deiodinase, converts the prohormone thyroxine (T4) into

T3. [20]

This explains the observation that selenium deficiency impairs

thyroid hormone function. Impaired thyroid hormone function is called

hypothyroidism and affects many body functions. End Quote.

--------------

Best Wishes,

Chris

>

>

> I apologize for keeping this message intact but I was hoping that

it would

> make more sense that way to others.

>

> I'm in the midst of a T3 mess. Having tried to get mine refilled

for weeks

> I ran out last Thursday and it wasn't until yesterday I was able to

get just

> ten more. It took me from the depths of hypo hell to near normal

again!

> This has to be because of a conversion problem.

>

> Trouble is I don't really understand the conversion problem stuff.

I seem

> to have a reasonably high T3 and T4 but it just doesn't go

anywhere. I

> suspect that it circulates (perhaps as a complex) but can't get

where it

> needs to go. Since I had RAI, which is what started all this, I'm

always

> trying to figure out what happens when one no longer has a thyroid,

or just

> a bit of dying thyroid.

>

> So what I'm wondering is this, How does selenium work? Where does

it work.

> And, if one has enough circulating T3 but not in the right place,

will that

> cause the cardiac problems? I have them nightly and they are

really scary,

> even though I know what they are.

>

> It sounds like you have researched this well. Please let me know

if you

> have this figured out ok.

>

> Thanks with all my weirdly beating heart,

> Laurel

>

>