Download Your Test Results - Reverse T3 (Triiodothyronine) 33

PATIENT:
Sample Report
GENDER:
DATE OF BIRTH:
COLLECTION DATE:
ANALYSIS DATE:
COLLECTION TYPE:
Male
20 October 1982
09 December 2014
19 December 2014
Serum
TEST REF:
PRACTITIONER:
ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE:
EMAIL:
T-XXXXX
Nordic Laboratories
Nygae 6, 3.sal
1164 Copenhagen K, Denmark
+45 33 75 1000
[email protected]
Your Test Results - Reverse T3 (Triiodothyronine)
Reverse T3 (Triiodothyronine)
Interpretation
Optimal thyroid function involves the conversion
of Thyroxine (T4) to the more active thyroid
hormone Triiodothyronine (T3) by a process
known as monodeiodination (T4 loses an
iodine atom). This is activated by a deiodinase
enzyme, which in turn uses essential nutrients
such as selenium as co factors. In some people
this process may be impeded, resulting in T4
being converted to a form of T3 that is inactive,
other-wise known as Reverse T3 (rT3). rT3 can
attach to receptor sites, but cannot activate
metabolic functions and therefore becomes a
competing factor to T3. High levels of rT3 might
be responsible for blocking the function of thyroid
when the body is stressed or diseased resulting in
a slowing down of metabolism.
Factors such as: chronic stress (disease,
surgery, burns etc.); mental stress (depression,
bereavement); use of crash diets for weight loss;
poor diets lacking in nutrients; and increased
toxic load may possibly block the conversion of
T4 to T3 and speed up the conversion to rT3,
hence resulting in a form of thyroid dysfunction
at a cellular level, otherwise known as
hypothyroidism.
It is recommended to measure both rT3 and T3 at
the same time, as rT3 may be in the normal range
but with a low ratio. T3/rT3 ratio is also a useful
gauge to indicate tissue hypothyroidism.
Nordic Laboratories Aps
Nygade 6, 3.sal • 1164 Copenhagen K • Denmark
Tlf. +45 33 75 10 00
33
Your Result: 33 ng/dL - High
Normal Range: 10-24ng/dL
High levels of Reverse T3
Reverse T3 (rT3) is measured to be above the reference
range, indicating increased peripheral conversion of T4
into rT3. Increased rT3 levels are frequently observed in
starvation diets or fasting, in prolonged or chronic viral
infections, in severe non-thyroidal illness, in long term
drug use and in severe stress. Increased production of
rT3 is usually observed in conjunction with decreased T3
production and indicates an adaptive change in order to
conserve energy. Selenium is necessary for the optimal
conversion of T4 to T3, therefore a deficiency in selenium
could also result in elevated reverse T3 levels.
Laboratory Units
Test results are given in ng/dL. To convert from ng/dL to
nmol/L, multiply the ng/dL result by 0.01536
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