Low T3 hormones, Cytomel?

[Bdogg]

Hi folks!

I'm 40 and I've been lifting for 5 years using a powerlifting style training,I'm completely natural. A couple of months ago, my strength started to decrease, I was feeling like crap all the time,couldn't recover from my workouts... I took a long break but it didn't help. The doc ran some blood test and found out that my T3 was a bit low <1. Everything else (TSH, T4, FT4, FT3, antibodies) is in normal range. The doc said there's nothing to do but resting...My T3 has been low for almost half a year now and no amelioration. I recently read about a drug named Cytomel which is supposed to replace T3 hormones. I assume if the doc didn't prescribed it, it may not help with my symptoms (weakness, headaches,sore throat, joints pain, muscles aches, tiredness...) and my lifting, but I want another opinion and drug using lifters are probably the most qualified to give me an unbiased answer and help me, I think.
Thanks a lot!

 

[Megatron28]

Can you post your blood work results. I hate to hazard a guess without seeing them first.

Did you check your Total Testosterone when you ran blood work?

Cytomel does replace your T3. But it shuts down your thyroid. Just like steroids, if your body senses that it is getting what it needs exogenously, it stops producing it endogenously. So you need to be careful using it.

 

[Bdogg]

Can you post your blood work results. I hate to hazard a guess without seeing them first.

Did you check your Total Testosterone when you ran blood work?

Cytomel does replace your T3. But it shuts down your thyroid. Just like steroids, if your body senses that it is getting what it needs exogenously, it stops producing it endogenously. So you need to be careful using it.

Thanks Megatron!
Here's my blood test, sorry, it's in Chinese...No 1 is T3, typically around 1. Everything else is normal.
View attachment 562912
Testosterone levels were good (8,41ng/ml).
I don't intend to take Cytomel all my life, but as a relief until I find out what's going on...Would my thyroid work normaly again after I come off of Cytomel, assuming I can fix it?

 

[Megatron28]

Thanks Megatron!
Here's my blood test, sorry, it's in Chinese...No 1 is T3, typically around 1. Everything else is normal.
View attachment 562912
Testosterone levels were good (8,41ng/ml).
I don't intend to take Cytomel all my life, but as a relief until I find out what's going on...Would my thyroid work normaly again after I come off of Cytomel, assuming I can fix it?

Want to translate the results to English?

I doubt you need T3 but let's see the results. If you need it, it would not be for a temporary time. It would probably be for the rest of your life. And many docs prefer to prescribe T4 and let it convert to T3.

 

[juced_porkchop]

Want to translate the results to English?

I doubt you need T3 but let's see the results. If you need it, it would not be for a temporary time. It would probably be for the rest of your life. And many docs prefer to prescribe T4 and let it convert to T3.

I agree^

also what was free test , and SHBG numbers? (with ref range)

 

[Bdogg]

Want to translate the results to English?

I doubt you need T3 but let's see the results. If you need it, it would not be for a temporary time. It would probably be for the rest of your life. And many docs prefer to prescribe T4 and let it convert to T3.

1 T3 1.15 Low
2 T4 72.17 Normal
3 Free T3 3.77 Normal
4 Free T4 15.03 Normal
5 TSH 2.62 Normal

Any idea on how I could fix myself...and my lifting?

 

[Bdogg]

I agree^

also what was free test , and SHBG numbers? (with ref range)

Thanks Porkchop!

I don't know if the Doc ran free test or total test. THe blood test says:
TEST1 8.41 Normal
SHBG not sure what it is...

 

[Megatron28]

Thanks Porkchop!

I don't know if the Doc ran free test or total test. THe blood test says:
TEST1 8.41 Normal
SHBG not sure what it is...

sex hormones binding globolin. It is what you testosterone and estrogen bind to in the blood stream.

 

[Megatron28]

1 T3 1.15 Low
2 T4 72.17 Normal
3 Free T3 3.77 Normal
4 Free T4 15.03 Normal
5 TSH 2.62 Normal

Any idea on how I could fix myself...and my lifting?

Your numbers look good. I wouldn't worry about a low T3 number. TSH and Free T3 are in range. TT looks great!

Increasing your calories for a bit could help your thyroid.

 

[Bdogg]

Your numbers look good. I wouldn't worry about a low T3 number. TSH and Free T3 are in range. TT looks great!

Increasing your calories for a bit could help your thyroid.

Thanks Megatron, that's what I did, I increased by 500 calories about and lost some bodyweight, despite low T3...Very confusing.

 

[Alpin]

That Free T3 is not optimal...its pretty close to hypothyroid...
Most labs have a low range of 3.5 for Free T3...
So draw your own conclusions. I been to docs that said straight out I aim for higher end of range on FT 3.
Range is usually: 3.5-6.5

What is 8.41 ? Your TT ?
IN NMOL/L?

 

[Bdogg]

That Free T3 is not optimal...its pretty close to hypothyroid...
Most labs have a low range of 3.5 for Free T3...
So draw your own conclusions. I been to docs that said straight out I aim for higher end of range on FT 3.
Range is usually: 3.5-6.5

What is 8.41 ? Your TT ?
IN NMOL/L?

Thanks, man! Yes TT in ng/ml

From what I understand TSH has to be low to be diagnosed as hypothyroidism. I read that total T3 and free t3 levels were affected after a severe illness, but I haven't get sick lately. Not sure what it can be.

 

[Megatron28]

Thanks, man! Yes TT in ng/ml

From what I understand TSH has to be low to be diagnosed as hypothyroidism. I read that total T3 and free t3 levels were affected after a severe illness, but I haven't get sick lately. Not sure what it can be.

High TSH is an indicator of hypothyroidism.

 

[Bdogg]

High TSH is an indicator of hypothyroidism.

Yes, has to be HIGH, sorry! Mine is normal, neither low nor high.