Reverse T3

[eileen1940]

I recently received labs back from my Dr. which she ran because I'm still not feeling well.  When I asked her about the reverse t3 results she said they were normal.  Can someone help me with this whole reverse t3 issue?  Thanks in advance.  Here are the labs, drawn 5/25/11

TSH  0.190 uIU/ml       0.340-5.600
Free T4  1.18 nG/dl     0.58-1.64
Free T3  2.8 pg/ml       2.5-3.9
Reverse T3  299 pg/ml  90-350

[gimel]

The best way to evaluate RT3 is to look at the ratio of Free T3 to Reverse T3.  To do this you take your FT3 result and multiply by 100 and then divide by the RT3 result.  This would give you a ratio of about .93.  The recommended range is 1 - 2, so yours is low.  However, I think the main reason is that your FT3 is very low in its range, which is frequently associated with having hypo symptoms.  

Many of our members report that symptom relief for them required that FT3 was adjusted into the upper part of its range and FT4 adjusted to around the midpoint of its range.  Symptom relief is all important, not just test results.  Test results are valuable mainly as indicators during diagnosis and then afterward to monitor FT3 and FT4 levels as meds are revised to relieve symptoms.  

In my opinion a good thyroid doctor will treat a patient clinically by testing and adjusting FT3 and FT4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  You can get some good insight into clinical treatment in this link.

http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf

Will your doctor be willing to prescribe meds with T3, in order to raise your FT3 level?

[eileen1940]

Yes, I believe he will and thank you for your answer and the link.