I have a reverse T3 problem--common in those with chronic illness, but it causes me to have a low body temperature and to feel depressed and anxious. I also have low adrenal function.
I would like to know if Dr.K treats this condition? The 'usual' protocol would be T3 medication(Cytomel) with Cortef to provide the additional cortisol support that the extra T3 would necessitate.
I have tried this in the past, but it was before I was diagnosed with Lyme and I backed off when I 'cleared' my receptors, and the Lyme seemed to be activated--the Lyme and co. diagnosis followed this event. Have not been the same since.
Regards.
Sue
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Reverse T3? So you suffer symptoms of low thyroid.
Have you tried increasing your intake of iodine? (Esp. seaweed or kelp tablets?)
Looks like Cortef is a a form of cortisone - which is contraindicated for Lyme patients.
You can also take steps to increase the function of your exhausted adrenals - High B vitamins in particular. Google "adrenal exhaustion" and you should find a lot of useful info.
Posted by whitmore (Member # 28721) on :
I do all that stuff for adrenals. Would not be sufficient if t3 is taken, trust me. Cortef is not necessarily contra indicated in the case of Lyme, it's dose dependent. Quite a few people are on it on this website.
Iodine is controversial in the case of reverse T3--can stimulate the production of T4, but cause it to be converted to more reverse T3.
Would like to know if anyone who sees Dr. K or a disciple of his has had this problem, and whether it's been addressed by him.
Regards.
Sue
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Many of us take cortef for adrenal fatigue. It's slightly different from a true steroid.
(I can't answer your question, sorry!) Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
OK Tutu, I'm glad to hear that it's not a "true" steroid. The webmd page on it was very vague! Didn't even give the generic name of the drug.
Sue - I have never heard of "reverse" T3, even though I have thyroid problems myself and have done a lot of studying! Does this mean that the precursor hormone actually stimulates DESTRUCTION of the T3? Is it considered an auto-immune condition like Graves or Hashimotos?
Posted by Marz (Member # 3446) on :
I had and probably still have high reverse T3.
I was put on T3 plus a reduced dose of my usual levothyroxine last summer.
i wasn't able to tolerate the T3. It made me very anxious and hyper. Had to stop.
I've started iodine since then and body temp seems a little better.
Posted by whitmore (Member # 28721) on :
Marz: Thanks. Perhaps I'll talk to my doctor about trying some iodine.
AuntyLynn: RT3 is the 'inactive' form of T3, though it may be more than just benign and actually stop T3 from getting to the receptors. High RT3 is common in chronic illness and may be a mechanism for the body to conserve energy by slowing metabolism. So fixing it may not be a good thing.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Whitmore - Thanks so much for clarifying RT3 for me. Obviously I had never heard of this condition, much less knew it could be a marker for chronic disease.
Hmmm - maybe you ought to take THAT to the IDSA?!
I am hyper. I found out years ago, before I ever knew about my overactive thyroid, that sea salt was far preferable than using iodized table salt, and I replaced my household supplies.
Come to find out years later, iodized salt is SO PUMPED with iodine, that its levels far exceed anything found in natural sources. (Now imagine mulitplying this dose, by the dozens of salted foods and condiments that we use daily.)
Supposedly, iodine is poison for me. In fact, a couple of years ago I believe I OD'd on an over-salted homemade pasta sauce, which sent me praying to the porcelain goddess just hours later.
I worried that I should give up Japanese food.
But I have found that I can sit down to a plate of nigiri sushi with a side of hijiki salad, and feel completely energized by the time I leave the restaurant.
Sorry if it seems like I'm rambling, but if anyone recommended that I should take iodine, I would likely choose kelp tablets, over Lugol's solution.
Posted by docluddite (Member # 36032) on :
Cytomel is instant release T3, taking it could complicate the problem by causing TSH to fluctuate rapidly.
There are compounding pharmacies that make a sustained release T3 that lasts 12 hours and if taken every 12 hours, does a good job of suppressing TSH, production of T4, and conversion of T4 into T3 AND RT3.
When body temp is normalized and hopefully symptoms are improved, the sustained release T3 can be weaned and hopefully the TSH will climb gradually, as will T4, and hopefully conversion of T4 to T3 will be favored over RT3.
Look into www.Wilsonssyndrome.com. They list Physicians who are trained to do this.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Aunty .. many LLMDs recommend Iodoral.
Posted by aMomWithHope (Member # 19255) on :
Do you have high rt3 or low rt3? What are your tsh and free t3 numbers?
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