The D1 and D2 deiodinase enzymes are produced in our cells to enable the conversion of FT4 to FT3 to occur within our cells.
Both D1 and D2 enzymes are seleno-proteins, i.e. they have selenium as part of their structure. Hence, if someone has low levels of selenium this can hamper conversion. Many thyroid patients take 100 or 200 mcg of selenium supplement per day to ensure they have sufficient.
The higher the number of these enzymes produced the higher the conversion rate. TSH also has an impact, if TSH goes up the D1 and D2 enzymes are up-regulated, i.e. more are produced in each cell, and the conversion rate of T4 to T3 rises. If TSH goes down, the D1 and D2 enzymes are down-regulated, i.e. fewer are produced and conversion rate lowers (but there is still some conversion occurring).
However, some thyroid patients have gene defects that can mean the quality of the D1 or D2 (or both) enzymes can be impaired. The genes involved in producing the D1 and D2 enzymes are referred to as DIO1 and DIO2. It is possible to have mutations in the genetic material that make up the genes. We receive a good copy of the genetic material from one parent and a mutation from the other parent, in this case, you would be heterozygous for the gene defect. If you have a bad copy from both parents, you are homozygous for the gene defect – which is worse as the quality of the deiodinase enzyme is liable to be worse.
Note: I have heard from one patient whose endocrinologist told her that there is no point in testing these, as if she had them she would not convert T4 to T3 at all (she is very unwell on T4 medication). This is obviously rubbish. The gene defects, even if present with both copies of each DIO1 and DIO2 mutation, impair the quality of the D1 and D2 enzymes, they do not stop them from working totally. It just makes conversion worse – it does not totally stop it.
The DIO1 and DIO2 mutations do not always cause obvious conversion problems either. Some people are better at compensating for the defects than others. Geneticists do not fully understand this yet. However, it is this compensation that tends to make the mutations not affect people until their late twenties/early thirties. Perhaps, a higher TSH might help compensate, as more deiodinase enzymes would be produced – but I am speculating. One thing is true though if you have a mutation, it is there genetically in your make-up. It cannot be turned off or removed. It will in some way affect the ability of your cells to make good D1 and D2 enzymes. Over the next ten years, more on all of this will no doubt be discovered.
The bottom line is that those people with one or more of these genetic defects may have impaired ability to convert from T4 to T3. This means they may have little or no impaired conversion, some impaired conversion or very severely impaired conversion. Even in the most severe cases there is still an ability to convert some T4 to T3, but it might be that too little T3 is produced and too much reverse T3 is created as a result.
However, genetic testing will only provide additional information that can back up a suspicion that conversion from T4 to T3 is an issue. Often this testing only gets done when the individual thyroid patient already suspects conversion issues. In some people with the gene defects, there appear to be no conversion problems. In others there appear to be severe conversion issues.
The most important indicator of T4 to T3 conversion issues in a thyroid patient is how that individual responds to treatment. This involves assessing how well they are using symptoms and signs, as well as full thyroid labs that include FT3, FT4, and TSH. This assessment may involve switching from Levothyroxine (T4) medication to T4/T3 medication and perhaps eventually to T3 medication if the thyroid patient does not respond well enough to treatment. Response to treatment is always going to be the most valuable assessment of T4 to T3 conversion.
Having said the above, the DIO1 and DIO2 genetic mutation tests are very useful to do, even if you have to do them privately. Knowing that you have one or both mutations (and whether you have them from one or both parents), will inform you of the potential risk of conversion issues. Both mutations can reduce T4 to T3 conversion, lowering FT3 and raising rT3, thus increasing the chances of on-going hypothyroidism. Having the mutation from both parents make the problem worse, but even from one, it can have an effect.
A DIO1 mutation may affect conversion by the thyroid, liver, and kidneys.
A DIO2 mutation may affect conversion by the brain, pituitary, central nervous system, thyroid, heart, and peripheral tissues (skeletal muscle). Thus, the DIO2 mutation can also cause hypocortisolism, through the impact on the pituitary, i.e. due to HP dysfunction leading to lower ACTH. Note: once you have totally cleared T4 and are reliant on the T3, this conversion issue becomes unimportant, unless it has caused HP dysfunction that is slow to correct.
Both D1 and D2 enzymes are important in the conversion of T4 to T3. More focus has been on the D2 enzymes and DIO2 polymorphisms over recent years. However, DIO1 polymorphisms still have a powerful effect on either increasing or decreasing T3/T4 ratios, so people tend to ignore the importance of DIO1 defects to FT3 levels. The Watts Study by Panicker, Dayan et al study of DIO1 in 2008 showed that this polymorphism affected T3, T4, and RT3 concentrations even in people with healthy thyroids! See:
Panicker, V., Saravanan, P., Vaidya, B., Evans, J., Hattersley, A.T., Frayling, T.M., Dayan, C.M.: Common Variation in the DIO2 Gene Predicts Baseline Psychological Well-Being and Response to Combination Thyroxine Plus Triiodothyronine Therapy in Hypothyroid Patients. J. of Clin. Endocrinol. and Metab., Vol. 94, No. 5:1623-1629, 2009. See abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19190113/
The D1 deiodinase enzyme is also important in the liver as it involved in the clearance of rT3, so testing for the DIO1 mutation is helpful.
The bottom line is that both DIO1 and DIO2 gene defects are useful to check. I am also confident that significantly more will be learned about the deiodinase enzymes and their potential gene defects (polymorphisms) over the coming years.
If you do a full genome mapping, please make sure the company offers both DIO1 and DIO2 in their raw data.
Note on SNPs: some genes have places in the genetic material that can have a mutation that is known to cause problems with the function of the gene. These locations in the genetic material of a gene that can have these defects are referred to as single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs. These SNPs are like ‘hotspots’ in the genetic material of genes where known mutations have been observed to occur and can prevent the genes from doing their proper job. These SNPs are given unique codes. Some genes may have more than one SNP that can cause problems. In the case of the DIO1 and DIO2 genes, if the SNPs have mutations it is possible for any D1 or D2 enzymes produced are compromised in their quality, resulting in lower conversion capability from T4 to T3. Researchers are continuing to look at the DIO1 and DIO2 genes and their polymorphisms. We can expect new information over time (some of which might contradict our current understanding). I intend to update this blog post as any good, new information arises.
How to Interpret the Results
If you have used a company that performs separate DIO1 and DIO2 tests, the results will be obvious in their report.
If you have used a company that does a full genome mapping, you have two options 1, 2. There is also a third option:
1. Just use the Raw data.
The company may have a raw data browser, or you can look/search through the raw data text file if needed. This latter option requires downloading the raw data from the genome mapping company. Then you can open the raw data file using a text editor (not a word processor). After that, it is simply a matter of doing searches for the particular SNP associated with the gene defect. These SNPs have unique codes that can be searched for in the raw data. To find them you need to type in the ‘rs’ number associated with the mutation.
DIO1 has two known SNPs that can have mutations and cause problems.
These are referred to as “rs2235544” and “rs11206244”:
- For the DIO1 “rs2235544” SNP: the ‘C’ (or ‘G’) allele can boost the expression of DIO1 and can be associated with higher T3 levels. The ‘T’ (or ‘A’) allele is the risk allele; it can reduce T4 to T3 conversion and raise rT3 when active.
- For the DIO1 “rs11206244” SNP: the normal allele (normal, no defect) is ‘C’ (or ‘G’). The ‘T’ (or ‘A’) allele is the risk allele; it can reduce T4 to T3 conversion and raise rT3 when active.
DIO2 has one known SNP that can have mutations and cause problems.
This is referred to as “rs225014” (and also as the “Thr92Ala-DIO2 polymorphism”), The normal/wild-type allele (no defect) is ‘T’ (or ‘A’). The ‘C’ (or ‘G’) allele is the mutation (risk allele); it can reduce T4 to T3 conversion and raise rT3 when active. See Note A below regarding Regenerus Labs.
Important Notes A and B:
A. At least one company (Regenerus Labs) is choosing to use a different notation for the DIO2 mutation – ‘A’ rather than ‘C’. This is their argument, “T92A (this is Threonine is changed at position 92 of the protein into Alanine) you also could write this Thr92Ala. If you look at base level in the DNA (genetic code) the C (=Cytosine) codes for the amino acid Alanine) see below. “A” is not Adenosine but the amino acid alanine in this report. So Ala = “C” in the genetic code (a Cytosine pyrimidine base). So the Ala/Ala or AA type corresponds to the CC genotype. The Thr/Thr or TT type corresponds to the TT (Thymine base, NOT THREONINE, in the DNA).” Their argument may be that there is an amino acid code:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_codon_table
where Alanine is ‘Ala’ but also ‘A’. So, an ‘A’ result for DIO2 from Regenerus labs is the mutation, then it is equivalent to what most of the companies are labelling as ‘C’ for the mutation. I wish they were all consistent.
B. In other genes, the notation for normal vs. abnormal is reversed. This has to do with conventions in designating the change from one base amino acid to another. If looking at other genes, one needs to check each one individually against the main databases. Also one ought to bear in mind that for some other genes, an abnormality may confer health advantages better than the normal un-mutated gene.
As briefly mentioned earlier, the results of testing show both copies of the gene – one from the person’s mother and one from the person’s father. If both alleles show no defect, there is no mutation at all. If one of them is a mutation, the person is said to be heterozygous for the defect, i.e. they have one copy. This is likely to impair the quality of the deiodinase enzymes (but not definitely). If both alleles have the mutation, the person is said to be homozygous for the defect and the chance of the deiodinase enzymes being impaired is higher and the consequence can be more severe.
So, for instance, if you were looking for DIO2, you would search for ‘rs225014’ then look at the results there. ‘TT’ would mean you had no defect inherited from either parent. ‘TC’ or ‘CT’ would mean one parent gave you the defect and one did not (you are heterozygous for the defect). ‘CC’ would mean that you have both defective genes (you are homozygous, but as mentioned some labs may use ‘A’ instead of ‘C’).
For DIO1 you would search for “rs11206244”. ‘CC’ implies there are no inherited defects. ‘CT’ or ‘TC’ means you are heterozygous for DIO1. ‘TT’ means you are homozygous for the DIO1 mutation (you have both copies).
2. Use a special filtering program.
Companies like ‘Genetic Lifehacks’ and ‘Genetic Genie’ offer software that read your genome mapping raw data and give you a simpler analysis of it.
Personally, I think the raw data is easy enough to look through.
3. Laboratories that Do the Testing
Note: it is advisable to always check with the company you are considering using that they still have the DIO1 and DIO2 results in their data, as both these gene defects are important to be aware of. We also know of companies that have removed DIO2 (possibly due to some kind of political pressure).
Ancestry (.com and .co.uk) have both DIO1 and DIO2 in the raw data. All you have to do is to download the raw data file and then load it into a text editor and search for the SNPs outlined above.
Regenerus Labs in the UK also offer the DIO2 test. However, they currently have had such a high demand that they have pulled the test from the offerings on their website.
https://regeneruslabs.com/
MTHFR Genetics in the UK offer comprehensive genetics testing that includes the SNPs mentioned above:
MTHFR-Genetics.co.uk
Blue Horizon Medicals in the UK have a genetic profile test that as of May 2020 includes the DIO1 and DIO2 SNP RSIDs and allele results:
https://bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk/collections/a-z-test-catalog/products/dna-blue-thyroid-genetics
Note: those of you in the UK can order the Blue Horizon Medicals’ genetic profile using a discount code that they have given me. See this post that explains the discount process:
https://paulrobinsonthyroid.com/thyroid-blood-testing-with-blue-horizon-medicals/
23andMe only offers DIO1 in its raw data now. They do not test DIO2.
Nutrition Genome in the USA had both DIO1 and DIO2 in their raw data in August 2018. But this site only appears to work if you are in the USA.
Fulgent Genetics in the USA also provide DIO1 and DIO2 test results:
https://www.fulgentgenetics.com/products/disease/genomictesting.html
Also see SNPedia, a source of information on genes, gene defects etc. You can enter SNPs in the search bar and get information on them: https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/SNPedia
I hope you found this useful. I do believe that the DIO1 and DIO2 tests are useful to do, especially if you can see in your thyroid lab results that you are having poor conversion issues. The presence of one or both of these mutations would at least provide a concrete explanation for why this might be and hopefully persuade your physician to switch the balance of your thyroid medication to more T3 and less T4. Loss of thyroid tissue also loses conversion rate remember though – so this can be another reason for issues. I discuss all of these types of problems in my latest book, The Thyroid Patient’s Manual.
I am sure over time more gene-related issues will be discovered that affect thyroid hormone uptake into cells, the binding to thyroid receptors and much, much more.
Best wishes,
Paul
Thank you so much for this excellent information.
I am trying to understand my mother’s test result. We used Blue Horizon and they use a traffic light system to indicate if results are less favourable, neutral or optimal.
For DI01 it says AC (green) + TC (yellow) which seems to be OK.
But we don’t understand DI02. It says TC (yellow — “amber result with mildly negative impact”) + CC (yellow and “not associated with any negative impact”)
Are these DI02 genes the “worst scenario” requiring T3? How can C in one case have negative impact (TC) and in the other case no impact (CC).
We would very much appreciate some help in understanding this!
Hi Sarah,
From the Blog post:
“DIO1 has two known SNPs that can have mutations and cause problems.
These are referred to as “rs2235544” (the most significant of the two), and “rs11206244”. The normal allele (normal, no defect) is ‘C’ (or ‘G’). The ‘T’ (or ‘A’) allele is the mutation; it reduces T4 to T3 conversion and raises rT3 when active.
DIO2 has one known SNP that can have mutations and cause problems.
This is referred to as “rs225014”. The normal/wild-type allele (no defect) is ‘T’ (or ‘A’). The ‘C’ (or ‘G’) allele is the mutation (abnormal); it reduces T4 to T3 conversion and raises rT3 when active.”
I think they must be referring to different SNPs within each gene. SNPs are single nucleotide polymorphisms which are small areas of genetic material that are known to have mutations. The main ones are listed in my blog post. But Blue Horizon has given you two SNPs per gene but they haven’t said the codes/names of them so we can’t tell if the results are ok or not, i.e. we can’t see which SNPs are the important ones.
Can you please just get the raw data from the Blue Horizon test (you should be able to download it, if not ask them for it as a text file as they must have it to produce the result) and then use a text editor to find both r2225014 (DIO1) and r22235504 (DIO2). There should be two codes next to them,i.e. only two letters – not two pairs of two letters.
I really don’t like the use of traffic lights as it is down to how they have set up their software to give an opinion on the results.
You need to be using the raw data as in the Blog post Sarah.
Best wishes,
Paul
P.s. Blue Horizon should be listing the SNP IDs as well as the alleles. I will attempt to feed this back to them. Meanwhile you need to look at the raw data Sarah.
Sarah, if you email me at paulrobinsonthyroid@gmail.com and give me your name I can ask the Blue Horizon lab to send me the raw data file and check the data properly. The lab have agreed to do this.
Paul
Hello,
Would you have experience with myheritage? For some reason noone seems to recommend it, even though they are cheaper. I already figured they have both dio1 and dio2, but don’t dare to order bc of the lack of recommendation.
Also, do you know any test that also has mct10 in it? I read that it also has an impact on conversion.
Thank you very much in advance!
Hi Judit,
Sorry I don’t know much about Myheritage, but if they say they have DIO1 and DIO2 in the results currently, then they probably do.
I also haven’t looked into Mct10 much either.
Apologies.
I’ve contacted Nutrition Genome with a ton of questions re this info. Doc recommending thyroidectomy b/c of Graves disease, but I am terrified of the potential inability to convert T4 into T3. Can’t wait to read the wealth of info this website provides. My family suffers from thyroid autoimmunity (both Graves and Hashi), we all share gut issues (GERD and IBS in my case), we are all low in vitamin D, but it’s been a Quixotic quest to find a doc who would look at all these issues as being interrelated and maybe even causative. Incidentally, the biggest help I’ve found for GERD has also come from the internet, in the form of the FODMAP diet devised by the University of Monash. I have high hopes for this website as well!
Thank you SO much for the work you do that unearths this info which may prove to be of tremendous value to many! Best wishes for good health.
Hi Gia,
Thanks so much for the kind comments. I do hope that you find useful information on my website and in my books. A total thyroidectomy would involve a loss of a large amount of conversion ability. Whether that can be compensated by providing enough T4 medication on its own would not be clear until you started. However, be aware that some doctors still insist on having in range TSH even after thyroidectomy and this is often a recipe for keeping a patient hypo. TSH can be allowed to be suppressed as T4 meds are increased as long as the patient does not become hyper.
Having said all the above many thyroidectomy patients do better on a combo of T4 and T3.
I discuss all the above in my book The Thyroid Patient’s Manual and in many website blog posts.
Good luck and thanks once again,
Paul
Hi Paul, I’m greatly appreciative of your work. I’m homozygous for all 3 DIO1 and DIO2 SNP’s listed above. My question is this: is there any lifestyle or nutritional support that can compensate for these conversion issues? I ask because I’ve been on T3 for 2 yrs and I’m trying for get off it. I only started it after several yrs of trying diet/supplement/lifestyle hacks that didn’t change my levels. I’ve had some scary incidents with extended-release T3 (similar to thyroid storm) when consuming even decaf coffee or taking anything that would speed up GI motility (i.e. mag citrate) even on low T3 doses (e.g. 20, 10, and 7.5 mcg) and it makes me scared that my heart is particularly sensitive to it. Further, it’s now or never with getting pregnant and I’ve had one integrative doc say she won’t work with me while on T3 while pregnant (and she’s the one who prescribed the medication) and another say I shouldn’t come off it for fear of fetal effects. With the latter dr, we agreed to get a baseline of FT3 2hrs after medication to determine which levels to aim for during pregnancy, but the last 2 times I’ve checked those levels, they’ve been the same as my pre-medication levels despite being on different doses. The only difference is my RT3 goes up very slightly. I’ve read possibly every commercial thyroid book, scoured research, and tried all the low-hanging fruit of diet, supplements, and lifestyle, and nothing has touched my baseline FT3 and RT3. I’m homozygous for the MTHFR C677T mutation and while I can’t process alcohol/coffee/medications well, my homocysteine levels are great b/c I eat really well, so functionally I’m able to compensate. Is there anything that you’re aware of that similarly can compensate for the reduced endogenous capacity of FT3 under-conversion and RT3 over-conversion the way that eating lots of methyl-donors and supplementing with methylfolate helps the methylation cycle of someone with an MTHFR SNP?
It depends on what is causing the problems Morgan.
For example, if someone has lost thyroid tissue due to long-term Hashimoto’s there is no way to regain the lost conversion. With DIO1 and DIO2 gene defects, once these manifest it very difficult to switch them off again – I know of no way of doing that. However, if someone has low B12 or other nutritional deficiencies or gut issues, these can be dealt with and perhaps some of the conversion loss can be regained. I think many thyroid patients are trying various dietary approaches to regain ideal thyroid hormone balance. Sometimes this can work but often it is a fruitless exercise as some conversion problems simply cannot be undone. I have no concerns by the way with T3 during pregnancy. There is too much anecdotal evidence against this being a risk.
Good luck with it all Morgan!
Best wishes, Paul
Thank you so much for laying out all this information so clearly! Immensely helpful. I was able to search my 23andme and finally figure out for certain that I have all three of these mutations (homozygous mutations for both DIO1, and heterozygous mutations for DIO2). It explains why I always feel like half my hypo symptoms get better and the other half get so much worse when I’m on T4 (levothyroxine), because I’m converting so much of it to RT3. My biggest question is whether I should still pursue combination therapy T4 + T3, or just do T3 only? Interestingly, NDT only makes me retain water, but that could be due an allergic reaction to the animal tissue. Thank you again!
Hi Maria, I am pleased that you found the information helpful.
If you were to attempt T4/T3 combination therapy you would have the option to reduce the T4 and increase the T3 portion. You could control the ratio – which you clearly cannot do with NDT. In the limit, the T4 could be reduced to zero and the T3 would then be a T3-Only treatment. I would probably consider the combo for that reason.
My The Thyroid Patient’s Manual book explains all the main treatments and how to use them – including this use of T4/T3. It also covers the main testing of other things that are important to do to ensure that the treatment works well.
Best wishes, Paul
Hi Paul, came across your site while I was searching for more information about my genetic fault re conversion from T4 to T3. I had testing carried out via Regenerus in 2016 which came back as Homozygous variant genotype AA. DIO2 (T92A) rs225014. I had private testing via Blue Horizon in 2016 which included Biochemistry, thyroid function, immunology and vitamins. From this the following were not normal, i.e. Reverse T3 was high at 26.0 (10-24); Reverse T3 ratio was low at 9.39; Anti-Thyroidperoxidase abs was high at 7402 (<34) and vitamin D was deficient at 46.
I am 72 and have been taking thyroxine for about 14 years, my present dose being 100mc.
Thank you. Any thoughts on the above would be most appreciated.
I don’t really do this type of detailed individual response on my website.
You also don’t say if your FT3 level is good.
However, if you have hypothyroid symptoms it might be possible that T4 medication alone is not going to be giving you the active hormone that you actually need in the right amount (FT3).
TPO antibodies also suggest a loss of thyroid tissue – which also adds to the problem of poor conversion of T4 to T3.
I would read my ‘The Thyroid Patient’s Manual’ book – it will give you all the information you would need to make an informed decision.
Best wishes, Paul
Thank you Paul. Many apologies – I mistakenly thought that you were giving individual responses looking quickly at the other posts. Will look at buying the book you mention. [In answer to your query my FT3 level is 3.75 (3.1-6.8)]
I do when the individual question is very straightforward. However, when the situation is one that would require a lot more information in order to answer with enough confidence I just can’t do it on this site.
I will say though, that with low FT3 (which yours is) and high rT3, it suggests that you are definitely not converting T4 very well. You might need a different form of thyroid medication that contains a mix of T4 and T3 so that you can lower the rT3 and get the FT3 higher.
I do coaching 1-1 if you get stuck. There is a contact form on the home page of this site.
Best wishes, Paul
That’s great Paul – many thanks.
Thanks! I just checked 23andme. They do show rs225014 DIO2 along with rs225014 DIO1. Under ‘My Genotype’ it says ‘C / T’
This may be an option after you wrote: “23andMe only offers DIO1 in its raw data now. They do not test DIO2.”
I’m not clear on what C/T means, even after reading your article except that I have one from mom and one from dad. I am not understanding what it means for me. I take thyroxine and it made a huge difference. However, blood tests show high T4 but T3 at the bottom of the scale.
I think I get plenty of selenium–I have a brazil nut or two every day and a can of wild-caught sardines 2-3 times a week.
To be clear, it says it says ‘C / T’ for both DIO1 and DIO2. 🙂
Heterozygous for DIO1 also. So, you have one of the gene defects for both DIO2 and DIO1, i.e. risk of poor conversion.
Hi Allen,
It depends when you did the 23andMe test. They used to include RS225014 but I was informed that this was stopped. It could be that it has been re-introduced. When did you actually get the test result?
Yes, you are heterozygous for the DIO2 defect. Sometimes doing everything possible diet-wise cannot stop poor conversion. If you are on Thyroxine due to Hashimoto’s or any loss of thyroid tissue then this loses a ton of ability to convert from T4 to T3 also – this cannot be regained through diet.
I would read my The Thyroid Patient’s Manual book – all of the above and a LOT more is explained there and options to address most issues are covered.
Best wishes, Paul
Hi Paul
I have had an undiagnosed thyroid condition for years, as my TSH blood test keeps coming back as normal. A few years a go I was a part of a Thyroid study that suggested I may have Hashimoto’s but my GP wont do any further tests until my TSH level is out of range. I am therefore not on any thyroid medication. Do you think it is worth my have a test for D101 & D102?
Hi Sue,
If you have not had FT3 and FT4 tested then I would test them. I would also retest TPOAb and TgAb autoantibodies as these may have risen further. These can all be done on the NHS, or privately if you need to. TSH itself can sometimes be maladjusted and be low even though thyroid hormones are also low. The pituitary that produces TSH is just another organ. As such it can be faulty – just like a liver or kidneys or thyroid or any other part of the body. For some strange reason many doctors work on the assumption that TSH is always accurate – this is not actually the case, because the pituitary itself may not be working perfectly.
As for DIO2 and DIO1, well, your doctor may not be interested in what these are. He might be less interested in them than FT3 and FT4 levels. However, for your own peace of mind you may wish to test them and know if the gene defects are present.
Hope this helps.
Best wishes, Paul
Hi Paul
I had positive Heterozgous Di02 result from Regenerus recently.
Then, as you suggested, used my raw DNA held by Ancestry to confirm this & 2 heterozygous Di01 mutations. (Also showed that my Daughter has exactly the markers).
When I told the Dr. during my catch- up phone call with the Endocrinolgy clinic, 4 days ago, she was completely uninterested.
I’ve been on T3 combo therapy for 6 mnths. Levothyroxine for 5 yrs.
The appt. was to discuss how I’m doing on T3 and maybe modify/ increase dose from 2 x 5mcg.
Frustratingly, the T3 check was ommited from the blood test taken in readyness for the appt!!
I’m not convinced how she could place so much reliance on The TSH and T4 results, when I’m on T3?
It seems to fly in the face of everything I’ve read…
I was wanting to try taking T3, 3 x a day but she was against this also. ” You cant spend your life, chasing the perfect dose,” she said. True but I havent even started to tweak or find an optimum dose!
I was diagnosed as having Hypothroidism 5 yrs ago. Started on Levothyroxine. Then got worse.. Symptoms snowballed. 18 mnths later diagnosed with CFS/ Fibromyalgia.
Eventually, I started reading & found out about the link beteeen Hypothroidism/ CFS & possible Low T3.
( I did identify that I ticked every risk factor box for CFS. I was 47 at the time of the diagnosis).
My GP had not heard of this scenario but she did listen & referred me to An Endocrinologist.
The initial Consultant agreed that Low 3 conversion was the link & said the cause was probably genetic.
I was frustrated with my recent Hospital call, as the Dr seemed to backtrack from this approach. Was so negative and the outcome was so unproductive.
My Sister has been on Levothyroxine for 26 years & thanks to my research is about to start on T3. As they found her Hypothroidism has never been well contolled. There is a strong family history of Severe Hypothroidism/ CFS issues.
Yet all of the above seemed to count for nothing/little to the Endocrinologist from the clinic, the other day. She argued everything down and reduced everthing to mere possibilties.
I need to go back to my GP to explain why I am not happy but how much weight will what I say, carry against the opinion of as Expert??
Also wondered if Di02 & Di01 genes, are why I got so much worse after I started on Levothyroxine??
Can you offer some advice.
Thanks Heather
Hi Heather, I think you need to ask your GP to refer you to a different endocrinologist. The one you’ve seen appears to be far too closed-minded to be able to manage to change his/her mind.
If you are a member of a large thyroid forum you could always ask there for recommendations of NHS endocrinologists in your area.
I think in any communication with your GP you just need to be clear and forceful and know exactly what outcomes you want from the discussion.
I usually write a letter first explaining the situation succinctly but fully with the outcomes that you need to happen for your health’s sake. Then the GP knows what the discussion will be about and you can spend the time talking about it rather than just explaining it in the first place.
Best wishes, Paul
HI Paul,
I have already starting drafting a letter for my GP.
I was looking for your take on the encouter with The Clinic on the 24th. So thanks for your feedback. She did indeed seem very closed minded….
Actually, I realised it wasnt that clear from my original post. Initially, I had a face to face appt with The Head Consultant in Endocrinolgy at the Hospital in my town. His attitude was supportive, open minded and proactive and I felt like I’d real headway.
The 2 subsequent phone appt.s with The Endcrinolgy Clinic werent with him. Getting to speak to him isnt easy & my wanting to, isnt enough to make that happen.
Its more than frustrating that the subsequent Dr.s didnt seem as open minded, proactive, or even as enlightened? I do feel like I’ve gone backwards.
There are a couple of other Dr’s on the team. Maybe I’ll try to see if I can speak to one of them next time…
Meanwhile, I will take your advice about the line to take with my GP.
Thankyou.
Heather
I wish you every possible success Heather.
It is a pity that your GP cannot refer you specifically to the Head Consultant.
Good luck anyway!
Best wishes, Paul
Last thing…
Put on T3 in June 2012.
T3 levels checked once, in Sept.
Somehow, T3 check was ommited from Thyroid blood test for Jan 2022 appt.
Hosp said, never mind we’ll check it next time..
Appt ltr arrived in post this morning for June 27th….
Is this normal do you think?
T3 level been checked once since starting on pill, then nothing for 9months. I thought they were supposed to be monitoring how I’m doing?
H
I have no idea if it is normal in your CCG area Heather. I would have thought more regular monitoring would have been good.
If you are on a lot of T3 then I would use my ‘Recovering with T3’ book to monitor your own progress.
If you are mostly on T4 with a little T3, then you can use my ‘The Thyroid Patient’s Manual’ book to monitor your progress.
Best wishes, Paul
Just FYI, 23andme seems to report all three SNPs as of now. I was able to successfully search for them all.
That’s good news! Was the test recent?
Thanks for the information, Paul
Hi Paul
I have the DIO2 (T92A) rs225014, homozygous variant genotype AA.
Unfortunately I can’t tolerate any thyroid meds. I’ve tried many brands and I think all the types of hormone. I tried following your T3 and CT3M protocols 6 years ago but sadly it didn’t work for me. I’m reading Dr Ben Lynch’s Dirty Genes book and doing the questionnaires in it. It looks like I could have issues with a slow MAOA gene, which it says thyroid meds could make me feel anxious – they definitely did. In fact thyroid meds ended up doing the exact opposite of what they were meant to help me with (depression, brain fog, aching, anxiety, crashing), even though my TSH is on the high side and T3 low. Do you know of any other methods to support the functioning of the DIO2 gene as an alternative to thyroid meds? I take selenium, zinc and sometimes a little Lugol’s iodine, as well as mitochondrial support supplements. Or do you know where I can find a practitioner who understands genetic issues like this, who could help guide me? Thank you.
Hi Helen, sorry, I don’t have any supplements in mind that might address this issue, nor do I know of a practitioner who might be able to help.
You didn’t actually say explicitly that you’ve tried T3 meds on their own with no T4 at all – as this can sometimes work when no other combo can.
However, what I will say is that I have met quite a number of thyroid patients who appear intolerant to thyroid meds. The most common reasons I have found for this are:
1. Chronic infection – often due to babesiosis (Lyme disease).
2. Low cortisol which is resistant to CT3M – LDN can sometimes help but it may need steroids.
3. Low B12 (low cellular B12, as any form of B12 supplementation, can make blood levels look wonderful yet cellular levels can be terrible).
I’d be looking beyond thyroid hormones for the cause of the issue, if you haven’t already tried T3 on its own with zero T4 meds.
Best wishes, Paul
Hi Paul
Thank you for your reply. How interesting, I do have suspected Lyme Disease + co-infections. What is it about the chronic infection that gives the intolerance to thyroid meds? I’m intrigued to know.
Yes I did try T3 on its own, I tried a few brands too, just to make sure. So frustrating it didn’t work, as I was so hoping it would be the solution to my hypothyroid symptoms.
How would we know if we have low cellular B12? Is there a way of administering the B12 to make sure it gets into the cells?
Best regards
Helen
Hi Helen,
I don’t know the specific biochemistry reason for chronic infections doing this but I know that this response is almost always the case when Lyme disease is present.
In terms of B12, the best method is regular B12 injections as a diagnostic. Usually loading doses are used with injections every 2-3 days for several weeks, tapering down to maybe twice a week or once a week if there is a good response. I’ve been doing weekly B12 injections myself due to low red blood cell count as a result of Covid.
Best wishes, Paul
Hi Paul
Thank you for taking the time to reply to me. I’m grateful for your time.
Kindest regards
Helen
Are there any studies that quantify the range of decreased function for each of the SNPs, comparing wild type to heterozygous to homozygous? If the worst case defect for each of these decreases T3 by 5% and raises RT3 by 10% that seems unlikely to have substantial clinical impact. If the defect decreases T3 by 50%, that’s a major clinical outcome.
I am not sure, to be honest. What I do know is that different people are affected in a highly variable manner. It isn’t by a fixed amount anyway. My experience of talking to patients suggests that the variability of impact is quite large.
Hope this helps a little.
Best wishes, Paul
Hi Paul,
At last! Thank you for this info – neither my GP nor Endo explained it to me. I have 2 questions.
1) can being homozygous for D102 cause hyper and hypo thyroid problems? (I was hyper 25 years ago, had RAI 23 years ago and have struggled with thyroxine conversion ever since. My 70 year old sister was diagnosed hyper last year and is currently on Carbimazole.)
2) Are my other siblings likely to have problems too?
Many thanks.
Hi Charlotte,
2 is easier to answer than 1. Genetic trends to have thyroid issues travel in families. So, yes, likely but not necessarily.
As for 1, being on thyroxine can cause many problems when there is no thyroid gland. Thyroxine often does not convert well. Speculating on what is happening is not good. Testing TSH (not the most important test as it can be very low and is still ok – but not accepted by most doctors), FT4, Ft3 and Reverse T3 will provide a better idea of what is going on. Atrophic thyroiditis can also cause a major swing from hyper to hypo. But chances are the T4 meds are not working well.
Hope this helps a little bit.
Paul
Hi Paul,
Thanks for this page, which has been hugely helpful for me. I wondered if I had a conversion issue but didn’t know about the genetic factors until my GP suggested having a DIO2 test, which we did through Regenerus – it identified that I am heterozygous. I found your page while searching for more info. T3 has helped significantly both for me and my 16 yr old son, who was diagnosed with underactive thyroid aged 13 but like me wasn’t doing very well on levo alone. Turns out he is homozygous for the variant.
I was keen to know more, and particularly to look at my DIO1 as well, so I had a DNA test through Ancestry. I’ve just had the results today, and sadly it seems not to include the DIO1 SNPs – I have searched for both in the raw data, and no results. I did find the DIO2 result without any problem, so I think I am searching correctly! I guess they may have changed what parts of the genome they include? I wondered whether you had any further information? If they don’t include this any longer it might be worth flagging this up in your notes as otherwise people may order the test and not get the information they were hoping for, as I did.
Thanks,
Jo
Correction – I have just looked again, and the DIO1 results are included after all – I’m not sure why it didn’t find them when I searched before! It turns out I am heterozygous for all three SNPs you have discussed. Thank you once again for all your helpful research.
Jo
Ok – good news.
Paul
Hi Jo,
The last I heard the SNPs are still in their report. Did you load the raw data into a TEXT EDITOR and not any other form of editor?
On a Macbook Pro I use TextEdit – not sure what it is on a Windows machine.
Ok – I’ve glanced up at your second message and see that you’ve found the SNPs now. I’ll leave my comment in case pointing out the text editor helps anyone else.
Best wishes, Paul
Hi Paul, just received results and my daughter is DIO1aa. She has had hypo symptoms for a few years but blood tests reveal low-normal results. Also, high selenium and low iodine tests. Would a trial on thyroid meds be advisable to help with symptoms? Thanks!
Hi Christine, how old is she?
How low are the results for both FT4 and FT3 and where is TSH?
Potentially yes. She may also need a little iodine in her intake.
Best wishes, Paul