I am a proponent of the book Stop The Thyroid Madness. Taking T4 Levothyroxine does not help me since my T4 does not turn into T3. Also, if I have high RT3, low iron or cortisol not at the optimal level I will gain weight.
My spouse is at the perfect weight for his height 165 pounds at 6'2". However, he still has a belly. He is 75 years old. I think to solve this issue he must take testosterone. He refuses.
My former husband took testosterone and his stomach disappeared.
You state:-
"My spouse is at the perfect weight for his height 165 pounds at 6'2". However, he still has a belly."
Considering that, at the age of 75 you'd prefer him to take testosterone in order to reduce his belly and he refuses, I think good health is more important than taking prescription medication which may have side effects.
Everyone is different and I certainly wouldn't take a medication in order to make my figure look better. I think good health is the priority.
Despite what STTM says, high rT3 does not make you put on weight. It doesn't do anything. However, it might be high because your iron is low. However, I've never heard of low iron causing weight-gain, either.
Testosterone will only help if you need it. Has your husband had his testosterone tested and found to be low?
PS I want him to take testosterone for more reasons than just a flat stomach. I have read that if you work out vigorously every day one may not need T.
My husband is hypothyroid and his doctor only gives him T4. As a result he started having palpitations and then he had a stroke, caused by the palpitations. Now he is on a blood thinner and something to slow down his heart. He is now very lethargic. He always follows his doctors instructions. They don't even test his T3, but it's obvious to me that it is not converting from T4. He has a good doctor friend who has the same symptoms. When it gets bad enough they burn parts of the heart. (I can't remember what this is called I think it's an ablation).
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