T3 a little high

[ctreiki]

:confused: Okay, now I am confused. I started Atkins in 2003, have lost 45 pounds, (well from 225 to 184) stalled, got digusted, ate everything in sight and now am at 188. Went back on induction (which I have to stay on for life because I metabolize soooooo slowly) and went down to 185. Doing great, eating right, walking everyday - back to 188. Went to endo thinking I may be a little hypo. On 3 grains of Armour (180mg) since 2000 because I had RAI. Started feeling like I had a lump in my throat, hot/cold extremes, irritable (which I am NEVER like that anymore), and tired. Had labs done. He said my T3 was a little high. Told me to not take thyroid meds for 2 days, come back for another lab. Now I wait.
My question is - if your T3 is a little high, does that mean I may be a little hypo or a little hyper? Because if they lower my meds I will NEVER lose any weight! Incidentally, I did not lose weight when I became hyper. I did gain when I was hypo after RAI.

Good thing is - I am losing inches and I feel smaller so I know Atkins is once again helping. My mini goal is to be 170 by Thanksgiving.

thanks for listening to me bellyache!

cindy

[Natrushka]

On 3 grains of Armour (180mg) since 2000 because I had RAI. Started feeling like I had a lump in my throat, hot/cold extremes, irritable (which I am NEVER like that anymore), and tired. Had labs done. He said my T3 was a little high. Told me to not take thyroid meds for 2 days, come back for another lab. Now I wait.
My question is - if your T3 is a little high, does that mean I may be a little hypo or a little hyper? Because if they lower my meds I will NEVER lose any weight! Incidentally, I did not lose weight when I became hyper. I did gain when I was hypo after RAI. Hi Ctreiki :) Did your doctor test your Free T3 or just your total T3? There is quite a difference. If your total T3 is high but your FT3 is not then you would not be considered hyper (a high FT3 is a sign of too much freed thyroid hormone circulating in your body) All of this of course depends on what is high for you

Do you have your actual test results and the lab range? Some doctors will tell you 'high' is at the upper end of the range, when this might not be 'high' for you. I personally feel better with a FT3 that is almost at the limit.

Did you have your FT4 tested? This can also be an issue; if your FT4 is low and your FT3 is ok, or high, you would still have symptoms, your body needs both hormones.

Your doctor is testing your T3, as he should be, because you're on Armour and it contains a fair amount of T3 (it actually contains more T3 to T4 than our bodies produce naturally). It could be that you need a little extra T4 to supplement your Armour. Often people need to add T4 to their Armour to correct the ratio.

If it makes you feel any better lots of people who are hyper do not lose weight; some to gain. The increased hormones produced by your thyroid, or in your case, your meds, makes you hungrier and eating more will make you gain weight. Many people who are hypo lose weight - you do not have to have all the 'classic' symptoms. Also, if you're dealing with Hashimotos (the most common form of hypoT) you often exhibit both hyper and hypo symptoms.

If you had all your labs done post the numbers so we can better offer advice. If you did not have your FT4 tested I would push for that, it could be why you're feeling hypo. YOu may just need to cut back a little on the Armour and add in a little T4.

This time of year changes in dosage are not uncommon - seasonal changes can wreak havoc on metabolism and your thyroid.

HTH
Nat

[ctreiki]

Thank you, Nat. That was very informative! I forgot to get a copy of my labs but when they call back this week, I will ask them to send me my copy.

I really hate it when you have to change dosages!!!!! But I guess as long as we are losing weight, we will be changing them.

Thanks again and I will post back when I have my labs.

cindy