Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Bio identical T3 T4 versus Synthriod etc.

Help! I am desparate. Was diagnosed 14 years ago with hypo thyroidism and have been trying ever since to get the correct medication. Have tried Synthroid, (was still tired and had irregular heart beats) Armourthroid (which made me swell up and feel terrible) Thyroxine and for the last 18 months after saliva testing have been taking bio identical T3 T4. I have been so exausted that I independently had my TSH panel checked (blood test) and the results were: TSH 0.018   Thyroxine T4  2.9 and Free thyroxine index 1.0
I have spent well over $2,000 with this new Dr. over the last 18 months, for saliva tests, office visits and medication.
Do you think I should continue on this route, or should I find a new Dr. and start all over again? If so do you have a medication you would recommend? Any views on Coconut oil?
Sorry this post is so long!
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
what bioidentical t3 and t4 hormones are you taking?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
what bioidentical t3 and t4 hormones are you taking?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You didn't include the reference range for your Free T4 test.  But A typical reference range for Free T4 is about 0.8 to 1.8  your level of 2.9 would put you substaintially over the top of the range for Free T4.

After all this time you need to find a new doctor who knows how to really test and treat tyroid.  It is clear that your current Dr doens't know what they are doing.

ALWAYS demand that at least the three tests below are tested.

1) TSH
2) Free T4
3) Free T3

I think given the fact that you seem to indicate hypo symptoms yet your Free T4 is over the top of the typical ranges, it would suggest you may not be converting the T4 into T3 and ultimately into free T3.

This is evidence that your Dr doesn't know about conversion, as they are taught in med school that T4 only medication always works.  That is a LIE!

Therefore I also would recommend that you demand to get your reverse T3  tested as mentined above.  Between the Free T3 and the Reverse T3 it should help determine what is happening with you.

If indeed your Free T3 is low, then it would suggest that you could substaintally lower your T4 medication, (Synthroid) and add in T3 medication (Cytomel or its generic).

Rule of thumb for most people to feel well they need to have BOTH of the following.

1) Free T4 to be in the MIDDLE of the range. or slightly higher.  So 50% minimum of the range to about maybe 55% of the range.

AND - that means in addition to #1

2) Free T3 to be 50% of the range up to 67% of the range.  With most people needing more towards the 60 to 67% of the range to feel well.

Remember that this is a rule of thumb and each individual is different and feels best at different levels.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Food sensitivities also play a big role in your overall wellness.. I used to bloat and feel constipated and tired despite being on Sythroid. Stopped milk and all that just melted away, energy levels returned to normal.. Talk to a naturopathist - my problems vanished as soon as I fixed my diet, avoided dairy and gluten and added more veggies and fruits.

Fix your gut by avoiding sensitive foods for a while, promoting healthy bacteria growth (supplements help)..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Your TSH is very low.  T4 looks ok but T3 is the real workhorse.  If your T3 levels are insufficient you will feel lifeless.  Do not rely on saliva tests they are unreliable and inaccurate. You need to have your T3 and Reverse T3 blood serum levels evaluated (in conjunction with TSH, T4, freeT4).  A portion of T4 is converted to T3, or if your conversion mechanism is messed up, to Reverse T3. Reverse T3 is useless to your body and would explain why you continue to feel awful.  Synthroid is bioidentical T4.  My body converts T4 to reverse T3 instead of T3 like it should. It has taken years to find a doctor that checked T4, TSH, T3 and rT3 (reverse T3) to determine find the problem and fix it by balancing my T4/T3 ratio.   I am an active 5'9", 42 yr old female, 145 lbs and I take 125 mcg T3 and 75 mcg T4.  
If your rT3 is high and T3 low you have most likely found the issue. Remember the ranges for "normal" on the blood tests are super general...if you are towards the low end, OR even in the middle AND still feel lifeless--- your personal level is too low.

Another possibility, uncommon but possible, is that you may have secondary hypothroidism. Secondary hypothryoidism occurs when your pituitary gland is not sending the right hormone signals to your thyroid telling it to get active.  
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Synthroid is NOT bioidentical
213044 tn?1236527460
Fourteen years?

I don't have any advice for you. I just pray to God I don't have to go through this stuff for fourteen years.

I hope you find the right answer soon.
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.