Sometimes, it feels like rT3 dominance is like the thyroid hormones T1 and T2...that is, real or myth? Is it metabolically active on its own or is it simply an inactive byproduct of T4 and T3?
Many articles online claim rT3 dominance (rT3 is often referred to as the "hibernation hormone") can cause hypothyroidism although you take high doses of NDT or T4, as too much T4 is converted to rT3 which then blocks the activity of free T3. The solution proposed is to go on T3 only, or cut back on NDT/T4 and take no more than 50 mcg/1.5 grains daily, and then add as much T3 as you need to clear your system of excess rT3. This is said to take 3-6 months.
But is rT3 dominance a real thing, or just a myth...? I just found the following article that pretty much says it is:
zrtlab.com/blog/archive/cle...
Any ideas or personal experiences...?
PS. I also find this article very interesting, especially what it says about rt3 being the real reason many regain weight after weight loss:
suzycohen.com/articles/reve...
It makes perfect sense to me...
I’m not sure but I’m wondering why I’m experiencing hypothyroid symptoms of freezing feet and tingling (but no other symptoms) despite being slightly over replaced and thinking it might be an answer.
What are your symptoms of being over replaced?
Sleep issues - super woman on a few hours sleep. Very hot. Slightly loose bowels. Itching. It’s only slightly out of range. But I recognise the symptoms. But couldn’t understand the freezing feet! I have crap circulation though. I’m going to drop by 12.5 and see if it helps.
The thing is that a healthy body is very good at maintaining homeostasis so it would make sense to me that there’s mechanisms to avoid going to far one way or the other (if your thyroid system works well.)
I’d recently read into the role of the enzymes involved in t4 to t3 conversion and there are similar feed back loops there to maintain the right level of t3. Obviously all people are different though. I haven’t had time to read your links unfortunately.