Summarized Bloodwork and Thyroid Hormones:
- Key Hormones to Test:
- TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
- Free T3 (Triiodothyronine)
- Free T4 (Thyroxine)
- Reverse T3
- Typical Medical Practice:
- Conventional doctors often only test TSH.
- High TSH usually results in prescribing synthetic T4 (e.g., Synthroid).
- This approach is often insufficient because it doesn’t account for how well T4 is converting to T3.
- Optimal Blood Levels:
- Free T3: Aim for 3.5 to 4.3
- Free T4: Over 1, probably less than 2
- TSH: Close to 1 is optimal, but not as critical
- Reverse T3: The lower, the better
- Understanding T3 and T4:
- T4 is converted into the active hormone T3.
- Reverse T3 is an inactive form, indicating poor conversion from T4 to T3.
- High Reverse T3 often means that T4 is not adequately converting to T3.
- Factors Affecting Thyroid Function:
- Stress and poor nutrition can hinder the conversion of T4 to T3, increasing Reverse T3.
- Supplements such as selenium, iodine, magnesium, and zinc can help improve conversion.
- Treatment Approach:
- Instead of only prescribing T4, a combination of T4 and T3 can be more effective.
- For instance, a combination dose like 50 mcg T4 and 12.5 mcg T3 can be a starting point.
- Bloodwork should be rechecked to adjust doses based on changes in hormone levels.
- Practical Tips:
- If Reverse T3 is high, addressing factors like selenium and iodine deficiency, and reducing stress can help.
- A balanced approach to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) includes careful monitoring and adjustments based on detailed blood tests.