Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
6555161 tn?1382381862

FT3 and Ferritin tests came back-

Ferritin: 33 (lab range 15-150)

Free T3: 2.0 (lab value 2.0-4.4)

So, yeah. WAY low in both. I've been doing good taking my iron at night, but was wondering if anyone has a good recommendation for iron? I'm just taking 325 mg of Ferrous Sulfate  (says 65mg underneath that) but not sure if i need a larger dose or if this is a good starting dose to build it up and see what it's like down the road some. Just asking if anyone has a favorite iron?

As for my FT3, I've still been only doing the Cytomel in small increments since I was waiting for my dose of T4 to get out of my system a little more (was on alternating of 88 and 100, now just on 88) and my Ft4 was pretty up there, but I think in the coming few days, I'm going to start increasing that. They wanted me to take a full five mcg a day and right now I'm just doing 2.5 (split into two doses) so I think actually moving up to a full 5mcg split twice will help. Who knows, maybe I'll need more. But right now, looking at that result, DEFINITELY going to go out on a limb here and say I have a conversion problem and this is why I still have a lot of hypo symptoms. (I oddly have weight loss with T4 meds alone, but since the addition of Cytomel, I'm gaining weight slowly and steadily. I'm actually very happy about this. I was losing weight like I was hyper again.) I feel a lot better knowing I made the decision to ask for Cytomel now. Also asking if about Selenium-heard it's pretty good at helping convert better? Any recommended starting dose/brand/kind? Was thinking of adding that into my vitamin regimen as well.
7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1756321 tn?1547095325
T4 is 4 iodine molecules around a ring of tyrosine. Selenium dependent enzymes called deiodinases converts T4 to T3 by removing an iodine atom from the outer tyrosine ring. Selenium is not just pretty good at converting T4 to T3. It's essential! :)

Supplement wise, look for selenomethionine (sometimes called chelated selenium). Dietary wise, the highest source is brazil nuts with between 50 to 90mcg per nut.

In the second month of taking ferrous sulfate there is a markedly diminished bioavailability. And increasing the dosage doesn't increase the bioavailability but increases side effects. The youtube video "Are Chelated Minerals Better Absorbed" explains in detail. I use the brand Swisse. Works great. Chelated = better absorption and less side effects.

The list of ingredients in Swisse Iron...

EACH TABLET CONTAINS:
Iron (from iron amino acid chelate) 20 mg
Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid from calcium ascorbate dihydrate) 16.52 mg
Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine from pyridoxine hydrochloride) 8.22 mg
Betacarotene 1 mg
Certified Organic Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis cell powder) 200 mg
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
I find that my FT3 seems more stable when I take selenium, as well.  The one I take is made by Solaray, 200 mcg, which is, typically, the recommended dosage.

What was your actual FT4 result?  

I'm not quite sure I understand your cytomel dosing.  Are you taking 2.5 mcg twice/day, for a total of 5 mcg or are you splitting the pill into quarters taking 1.25 twice/day for a total of 2.5?  
Helpful - 0
6555161 tn?1382381862
Thanks for the suggestions!

Barb-sorry, I'm taking 2.5 total a day, meaning a quarter in the a.m. and a quarter in the afternoon. They did want me to try the full five mcg, which I was slowly building up to. My FT4 was right near the top when I started Cytomel-1.7 out of a range of 0.8-1.8. I just wanted to err on the side of caution for a little while as to not push that since I tend to get hyper symptoms when I'm near the top of the FT4 range.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
In case the brand Red_Star mentioned is not available here, here are two types that are good.  Ferrous fumarate and ferrous gluconate.  One tablet contains about 28 mg of elemental iron.  I'm taking 3 tablets daily.  My ferritin has gone from 40 up to 80 on this dosage.  
Helpful - 0
1756321 tn?1547095325
Swisse is sold in the US (at Walgreens) but I had a look and found the company only chose the most popular selling products here in Oz for the US market and iron isn't one of them.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
But those Aussie products sit upside down on our shelves in the Northern hemisphere and it is harder to read the labels.   LOL
Helpful - 0
1756321 tn?1547095325
Fair dinkum? Streuth! LOL
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community

Top Thyroid Answerers
649848 tn?1534633700
FL
Avatar universal
MI
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.