Re: What are symptoms of Low Free T4?

October 29, 2011

I think we are all so different that it's really hard to provide a list of

symptoms. For me, the biggest symptom that was resolved with adequate T4 was

that I got my brain back - brain fog dramatically lifted. From what I have read

in medical research, they are not sure whether the T3 crosses the blood-brain

barrier and that it's possible that only T4 does and the conversion to the

active hormone T3 happens in the brain itself. If this is the case, then I think

one could have a lot of other neuro problems which can include neuropathic pain,

depression, etc. I have a couple of friends that were on the T3 only protocol

and depression was their major symptom. Once they started on some T4, they

noticed a big difference.

One thing I will note is that in my experience, it takes a lot of detective work

to figure out if one thing is the cause of symptoms (e.g., low T4, issues with

the compounded T3 or whatever) or if there are other factors. The symptoms you

describe with the neck pain, muscle pain etc were ones that I had when I had

very severe inflammation from Lyme disease and mold exposure. Once I was

treated for those things, my neck pain went away. I got Lyme again in 2008 and

the neck pain was back. When I am exposed to mold that pain returns. I'm not

trying to say these are your particular issues, but anything that might cause

inflammation could be. So unless one stays in one's home all the time, follows

the exact same habits, eats the same thing, gets the same amount of sleep, etc.

then there are quite a few variables. I used to get a lot of pain if I consumed

foods in the nightshade family. Nightshade is a toxin, but you get extremely

small amounts in foods, but I still reacted. Once I detoxified (both from the

toxins produced by the Lyme infection and from mold exposure), I have a much

higher tolerance to things like that.

Keeping a food diary, paying attention to your physical environment (if I go to

someone's home and there is mold, I have to leave immediately to avoid a strong

neurological reaction), noticing how you feel after x hours of sleep, minimizing

stress which can trigger recurrence of underlying infections, etc.

One other consideration is that some of us are extremely sensitive to whether

changes. My symptoms flare before the fronts come through.

I'm not sure if this helps, just some things you might want to consider.

That all said, I think your suspicion of the T3 could be correct. Do you know

what filler they used. For a while, I was extremely sensitive the ingredient in

OTC products that were timed release.

B.

>

> I've looked around a bit to find out symptoms of low Free T4. I am on 75 mcg

of Timed Release T3. The latest lab report shows my Free T4 has dropped from mid

range to BELOW the bottom of the range.

>

> I'm trying to figure out what is contributing to my current symptoms, and am

wondering if it is the Free T4...or something else.

>

> An internet search doesn't really help me, but I remember things being

discussed here, and I don't know how to go back and look up the

conversations...I get too many results that don't apply.

>

> Anyway, I'm having an unusual amount of body aches. I'm sore just about

everywhere. I'm used to having a sore neck or back from time to time, but I'm

hobbling around today like an 100 year old woman.

>

> I know my cortisol is borderline low...and I'm waiting to treat it until I

figure out if I need to do something else treatment-wise on the thyroid.

>

> I'm starting to get the idea it may be an issue with the timed release T3...I

thought it was the answer to my problems because of the way my b/p didn't spike

after taking it. Reading up a bit on the timed release seems to suggest many

people don't do well on it. I will be sorry to hear that if that ends up being

the case.

>

> Sorry to ask so many questions recently. I do appreciate everyone's input.

>

> K

>

October 29, 2011

I went to a talk recently by a compounding pharmacist. i found it interesting that he said low levels of T4 while at the same time having higher T3 can be an indication of low iron.

steph