Reverse T3

Hi all. I normally spend my time over on the GERD forums but got some labs in today and curious if anyone has had a similar issue. I have been border line on my thyroid screens in the past, so much so that my BHRT doc put me on Armor, that was a few years ago and I only took it about 6 months.

I have had hormone imbalance for about 5 years and have used BHRT progesterone but recently during a nasty bout of GI issues I noticed some new things. I had to have my gallbladder removed a couple of months ago and about a month following my GP ran a hormone panel on me. My numbers have come back as follows:

TSH .74 range .4 - 4.50
T4 1.4 range .8 - 1.8 ng/dl
T3 free 2.9 range 2.3 - 4.2 pg/ml
T3 reverse 53 Range 11-32 ng/dl

DHEA 317 range 25 - 220 mcg/dl

Progesterone and Estradiol were both really low as well.

My Cortisols were not tested at the time but I do know that DHEA being high probably means my cortisol is as well. From what I have read just tonight the RT3 can also stem from high cortisol and the body being unable to process the T4 properly. From what I understand the symptoms of the high RT3 are the same as being Hypo.

So I have read up on the Wilson’s Syndrome as well as just plain old stress hormones. I got my labs so late in the day my Doctor was closed. Going to call my compounding pharmacist in the morning and see what she thinks. Currently taking a cortisol manager, just started that last week so maybe that alone will help. My body has been through a lot. The really bad GI issues started with an Hpylori treatment pack which then lead them to finally check my gallbladder, which lead to surgery that took me six weeks to even start to remotely recover from which lead to terrible health anxiety. I'm sure the stresses are probably the root to this whole cortisol, RT3, DHEA problem but since I leave for vacation tomorrow, would love input.

My symptoms at this time are a racing, trembling kind of feeling about late afternoon. Also upon napping, being woke and sometimes when just dozing off, my chest feels like there is an earthquake in it. My BP and heart rate are normal when this takes place. No sex drive, headaches, neck and back aches, bouts of vomiting about once a month which still could be stomach issues since I am still dealing with that. Of course the anxiety seems to be relentless.

Anyway.....any thoughts? Anyone with this problem? Any ideas on my numbers being kind of close to the ranges? I know range is range but that doesn't mean it is optimal nor does it mean you shouldn't be treated.

Thanks!
Bethanie

I'm not familiar with this, but did a Google search and found this article, which I think is pretty understandable. I hope it helps.

http://www.medical-library.net/reverse_t3_dominance_syndrome.html

 

Hey everyone.  I have posted here once or twice I believe (I have Hashimotos).  However, I'm here today because my 23 year old daughter has had horrible health issues recently.  She gained probably over 40 lbs in less than six months, and also got severe cystic acne covering about 1/2 of her face.  Needless to say this is so upsetting for her, first of all, but for all of us because we feel for her.

Her doctor, a D.O., ran a reverse T3 test and although her other thyroid numbers were normal, her reverse T3 was high.  He sent her to a compounding pharmacy for meds.  She is starting them now.  I don't live anywhere near her, so we are doing all this long distance.

I've researched reverse T3 and Wilson's up the kazoo, and feel like I understand it, also am grateful in some ways that this D.O. even thought to test for it.

Has anyone had this concurrent with severe acne?  Also, did they ever find out what caused their reverse T3 to begin with?  Stress, surgery, other hormones (she has taken oral contraceptives for many years), certain foods, chemicals, or alcohol?

As a very concerned mom I'd like to hear anyone's stories.

Thanks.