Free T3 vs Free T4: Which is More Important?
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- Опубліковано 11 сер 2021
- Free T3 and free T4 are incredibly important lab tests that all thyroid patients should be aware of. Having said that, is one better than the other? The answer is yes, and it will become obvious as we have this discussion.
First: what are free thyroid hormones and why do they matter?
Free thyroid hormones differ from other hormones that you can test because they represent the amount of hormone that is free and ready to be used by the body.
Because of this, measuring the free concentration of hormones is always the most important and relevant way to measure the activity of any given hormone.
Hormones can either transport through your body in the free state or the bound state and, as a thyroid patient, you want to concern yourself with the thyroid hormones which are NOT bound to a protein.
Now that you understand the importance of free thyroid hormones, let's talk about free T3 and free T4.
What is free T4? Free T4 is the measurement of free and active thyroxine in your bloodstream.
Thyroxine, also referred to as T4, is an active thyroid hormone but it's not the MOST active thyroid hormone. T4 is not as powerful as T3 and in order to really be used by the body, your T4 must be converted into T3.
Because of this, T4 is good to think about as reservoir hormone instead of an active thyroid hormone. It has the potential to do work but doesn't actually do any work until it is converted.
Your thyroid produces much more T4 compared to T3 because of this.
T4 is found in thyroid medications like levothyroxine so if you take levothyroxine, your free T4 level should increase.
What about free T3? Free t3 represents the measurement of free and active triiodothyronine in your body. T3 is the most powerful thyroid hormone, by far, with estimates putting it as much as 200 to 300 times more biologically active compared to T4.
This means if you have the same amount of both T3 and T4, the t3 is going to do 200 to 300 times the work that the same amount of T4 can do.
Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): www.restartmed.com/start-here/
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Disclaimer:
Dr. Westin Childs received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic medicine in 2013. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Childs is no longer practicing medicine and does not hold an active medical license so he can focus on helping people through videos, blog posts, research, and supplement formulation. To read more about why he is no longer licensed please see this page: www.restartmed.com/what-happe...
This video is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Childs and you. You should not make any changes to your medications or health regimens without first consulting a physician. If you have any questions please consult with your current primary care provider. Restart Medical LLC and Dr. Westin Childs are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this website or video.
#thyroid #hypothyroidism #hashimoto's
One thing for sure, since I started taking your t3 conversion booster supplement, I am myself again. ( I have energy and clear mind)
Weight is getting off too with IF and low carbs.
You rock. Thank you so much
Glad it's helping!
What does it contain
Excellent explanation 👍
Dr. Childs, first of all thank you very much for the information that you provide and we can learn 🙂 Can you please, tell me what should I do: i have hashimoto's, tried keto carnivore, but it seems to have a bad impact on my adrenals, so I started adding carbs. I was using NDT, I took maybe 1/20 of capsule, or I would have heart palpitations at night, but I actually started having those a lot, during the keto. So my Labs are showing normal free and total T3, but low total T4 (didn't do free T4). Then I stopped taking NDT, because I think that it has impact on my adrenals, now feeling worse. What should I do? Should I take syntethic T4 and add a little of NDT? PS: don't have a normal thyroid doctor, where I live and taking a lot of supplements like iodine, selenium, chromium, pantethine, magnesium, D3. Thank you. I Hope you can answear.
thank u!!!
Please go over t3 and hypothyroidism
Thank you for your explanation. It’s all very helpful to be taken seriously at the doctor. Not only in the US.
The doctors in the US are jokes. I went to 4 already who refused to check my t3 and 4
It took me in the Netherlands 7 years to get diagnosed with hashimoto. And I had many doctors, health problems ( liver and hart), trip to ER. Protocol didn’t work in my case. Until I met my endocrinologist. He began with all the normal tests and T4 medication, my husband persuaded him with chemical info to check T3 , then he saw the conversion problem.
@@pilidiaz7856 same here in Italy unfortunately. I believe some of my symptoms feeling off balance, brain fog, tingling in my feet and feeling anxious are really a B12 deficiency..even though my levels seem normal I think it's an absorbtion problem..
@@pilidiaz7856 I'm now being tested for
Sjogrens syndrome
@@mariecarter2412 I have problems with dry eyes and got eye gel. I had some good years but then menopause came.
Hello, After years of only taking levothyroxine and still not feeling myself my DR finally agreed to prescribe liothyronine . I take 50mcg of levothyroxine and 10mcg of liothyronine sodium. I've been on this combo now for about 2 years. I do feel so much better, but the weight loss never happened for me, even after calorie counting and exercise. My most recent labs: Free T3: 3.7, Reverse T3: 9, TSH: .58 and Free T4: 0.9. I would love your thoughts on my lab results. I also take Bio Identical hormones/ Estradiol/Progesterone/Testosterone and LDN 4.5mg. Thank you for all of your information. Because of you I knew to ask about liothyronine.
Great explanation. In my case I hv hyperthyroidism and I take Methymazole 2 mg/day TSH 0.9, FT4 1.3 and FT3 2.3 always the FT3 is there down. How can I do ?
I have almost all the symptoms of hyperthyroidism but my THS is normal and T4 is also normal, just my free T3 is high. 😖 i need to know what I have because I’m too skinny! Thanks for the info
I have opposite I have hypo symptoms normal tsh normal t4 high t3. Ugh so frustrating and im about 20 lbs over what I want to be
did you ever figure this out?
hi Dr does high level of T3 cause rise is HS CRP and histamine markers
Hi there from New Zealand. This is Maude Stephens, using husbands account.
Questions, Can a person on antipsychotics take T3 meds?
Can a person with thyroid problems take decafe coffee?
Do menopause symptoms improve with T3 meds, and if not, what do you reccomend for low energy and mood and insomnia?
One of my daugters has no uptake of ion, she is so low, its in negatvie in her blood test, Docotr does not know how she is walking around. She has suddenly become very overweight with it. She may have endometriosis. Can T3 meds balance this all out?
What’s if the range is 2.3-4.2 and your T3 is 3.2 is that optimal range for FT3? My total T3 was 107 not optimal as I saw in one of your videos in which you referenced optimal should be between 150-180, lab range is 76-181? I am I correct Total T3 is low? My Free T4 is 0.8 lab range is 0.8-1.8 ng/dL it can change back and forth between 0.8 1.4 since dosing with Liothyronine 15 mcg outside my compound. I am on FT4-50/FT3 35 SR. Only have Been one 15 mcg as of 8/5/21, before it was 10 mcg for Five weeks. My TSH was 0.07 last year at this time it was 3.09 it has taken me a year of adding T3 increases to get me here to this point, it’s been a long journey! Thank you for all you do! May God multiply back to you for all those you help here! ✌🏼
Tyvm dr. Childs. This exactly why i think levo. doesnt work for my body, in that my labs a week ago free t4 was .71 ng/dL (.70 -1.90)range and t3 was 57ng/dL (80 - 200)range. He wouldnt test t4 or free t3. Still waiting for mail for armour. Fingers crossed. Forgot my TSH was 15.1 mcL/mL (.400 -4.0)range
This is a big reason why it doesn't work for many people!
But why won’t dr just test for t4, T3, or reverse T3??? Are they having to pay for it? Why do they care??
How much free T3 is too much? If TSH is low below normal and free T3 is very high how serious is it? I am one of those on the high end of the spectrum and I also have adrenal dysfunction. Armor at 180 or below makes me feel exhausted and unwell.
This is me too. But I only take 90mg armour. I feel so horrible all the time. I wish he would answer your question
Same I'm on 120NP thyroid and my T3 is 5.2. I'm wondering if that's OK I still don't feel like I have enough energy. T4 is only 1.1 and TSH is 0.008
If my t4 is low can I just take t3 as from what you've said I understand that it's solely t3 that has an impact on weight/metabolism and other symptoms? Surely t4 being low isn't an issue at all if t3 is in a good range?
I have a TSH level 2.01 and a Tfee 4 level 1.04 2 nodules , weight gain , brain fog , body aches hair loss , I'm looking like Dr. Phil I feel horrible
Hello Dr! I am on Levothyroxine for my Hashimotos and trying to reverse it but no luck :(
My free T4 is normal(but I do take levo-medicine daily). If I stop meds my TSH goes too high.
Since my free T4 is normal, Does this mean it is easy to cure my Hashimotos? Kindly respond!
Normal tsh, high t4, have had thyroid disease for 14 years, I started eating meat again after 13 years, am I healing myself? Thank you for the video
What time shiuld I take T3 and T4 and Floradix each day?
Hi, I think I have early stage hasimodo. have done tests. TSH 1.04 (1.04 mIU/L) and Free T3 1.52 (5.3 pmol/L) & Free T4 0.45573 (15.8 pmol/L) . no TPO test has been done. my doctor cleared me after this. How would you rate the results? had an ultrasound done which looked good. I have had overactive lymph nodes in the neck and problems with my stomach in the past.
Question: is it safe/beneficial to take LDN & HCQ together? I have an auto immune issue: “Mixed Connective Tissue Disease”. I’m taking both but not feeling better yet. LDN is only at .5 mg though. HCQ is 200 mg.
I'm not aware of any interactions between those 2 medications.
Hi Dr Childs,
How come your supplements have no L thyroxine in them? You said it produces thyroid?
Thank you again
Thyroxine is a prescription medication so it can't be found in supplements. I use L-tyrosine which is a precursor to thyroid hormone.
@@drwestinchilds OH ok thanks
@@drwestinchilds Sorry, I meant L thyrosine. Can I take it with t3 conversion booster?
I have had a dead thyroid for 50 years. Every time I get a new doctor they want to reduce my medication based on only the TSH. They don't test T3 and T4. TSH is always wrong for me but average family practice and internal med doctors have trusted it. Can TSH be used for determining medication level for hypothyroidism?
So do you take Free t3 in addition to thyroid meds like synthriod
Sorry if I wasn't clear. Free T3 is a lab test but you can take T3 medication which will increase free T3.
I just did my labs and I can’t find a video of any one talking about the exact numbers and ranges. It’s all generalized talk. Let’s here the numbers
I have a video on that topic. It's about the optimal reference ranges. I also have a blog post which outlines all of the values.
Can I take Levothyroxine t4 and Armour t/3 together ? I feel like taking only t3 I'm not getting in t4 ..
You can but there are definitely better combos available.
@@drwestinchilds Can you please let me know of some Dr. I would really appreciate it
What about amourthyriod? Do it have t3 or t4.
It has both T4 and T3 in it.
I don't understand reverse t3 I understand a little but how to fix it ..I've swelled up and feel bad all over is the reverse t3...I've on armour thyroid had a total thyroidectomy 5yrs ago.
Please see this article for more info on that topic: www.restartmed.com/increase-free-t3-naturally/
@@drwestinchilds thank you so much ❤
I’m having Reverse T3 issues on Armour as well. I’ve been under a lot of stress lately though due to losing a parent, the ongoing pandemic, etc. Mine is up to 17.5 😳
What if my thyroid has been destroyed due to Hashimoto thyroiditis? Is the requirement for T3 higher?
Generally, yes.
I am had to change Docs because I finally got my ft3 up to 3 & my t4 was 0.4 & tsh @0.5 she took all my t3 away and went to high doses of t4 only! I have had to deal with hashimotos for 8 yrs , I explained I haven’t been able to took t4 from the beginning I don’t convert it at all & I crash and burn & skin, joints hurt, hair falls out, crazy symptoms😵💫😵💫 never believe a Ob/gyn that she can DO IT ALL!! Nope!
Is watermelon bad for hypothyroidism
No.
@@drwestinchilds I'm srry if that was a dum question I just been diagnosed and there is so much info out there I don't know where to start .some say this some say that but thank you for answering.