My RT3 has been relatively high lately and the ratio of FT3 to RT3 has been poor. according to Stop the Thyroid Madness. I'm still confused what the proper treatment is. I already take selenium and iodine (1-2 drops lugols per day).
Does anyone have experience with how to treat this? Does this mean I have (sub clinical) hypothyroidism? Here are my most recent numbers:
I'm treating with T3 only. Your free T3 is low. You probably ended up with a high RT3 because your adrenals are suffering.
Here are my dosages; Cytomel (T3) 50 mg 2x (My dosage is a little on the high side) you work your way up to you optimal dose.
For adrenals: Hydrocortisone 5 mg 5x a day
Addressing these two things helps a lot!
Posted by nyclymedout (Member # 45977) on :
Thanks RC1. How do I know my adrenals are low? I've done 24 hour cortisol tests and my cortisol typically comes back normal and slightly high in two different points. I actually just did another one to check cortisol via 24 hour saliva so will post when I get it. I do tend to get pain in the adrenals and surging of adrenaline - hence why I'm wondering if hydrocort isn't a good idea?
Posted by nyclymedout (Member # 45977) on :
Also doc is willing to prescribe Nature thyroid. Would that help?
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
My doctor prescribes both Armour and Naturethroid - just looking to see if we do ok on one of them.
Posted by nyclymedout (Member # 45977) on :
Which one do you best on?
Posted by nyclymedout (Member # 45977) on :
Up looking for more info on dosing NDT and treating high RT3
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I do very well with NatureThroid.
I like NatureThroid better than Armour. At least at the time I researched this years ago, NatureThroid's thyroid is from pigs that are better treated.
Armour's source is from industrial pig plants. I won't eat any industrial meat or eggs so I'm not going to take medicine from any animal tortured in such terrible surroundings, poor diet, additives & crowding. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- You asked: how to "know my adrenals are low?"
It's not that easy. True, in some of the extremes of adrenal disease, some tests can be helpful.
Yet, with the kinds of dysfunction with lyme, no test is going to give you the detail I think we'd all like to see. But one snapshot in time can't capture the big picture that is so full of fluctuations.
So it's not about low or high - or to push or pull back. It's about support that will nourish the cells and function of the HPA axis (a triangle of organs).
Everyone with lyme has adrenal dysfunction. Period. There are various adaptogen support methods that can work no matter how much teeter tottering or roller coaster rides we have in a day.
[ 11-28-2015, 04:19 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
I didn't know that about the source of Armour thyroid, Keebler, but I do very well on it. My doc said he keeps people on whichever one they do well on.
Posted by n.northernlights (Member # 17934) on :
I thought there is only one supplier of the raw material, American laboratories in Nebraska But indeed they have several sorts of thyroid powder
Elsewhere in the world is thyroid from cows in Australia, and thyroid from pigs in Denmark