T3?

[dylansmum]

I am new to thyroid problems, I am underactive and on 125mg Levothyroxine. Loads of you on thes blogs mention T3, and the reluctance of gps etc to prescribe it. Why is this, is it expensive? how different is it to Levothyroxine. I cannot understand why it is difficult to get a prescription for T3, if it solves a lot of our thyroid problems?

[helvella Administrator]

It is expensive (towards thirty times as much as levothyroxine - on a tablet for tablet basis).

GPs rarely have experience of prescribing it.

Dosing appears more critical for many and very often requires split-dosing (i.e. taking part of the dose two, three or more times a day).

It does not always solve all problems - some people do worse on it.

GPs cannot find it in BNF (as it is called Liothyronine).

Labs often will not test for Free T3 - which really does need to be done in people on T3.

And it is hardly mentioned in any guidelines which some doctors treat with undue respect or fear.

Rod

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

then again, many folks say T3 helps them, T4 (Levo) is a storage hormone, whereas T3 is what cells actually use (T4 gets converted to T3 if you don't have conversion problems) - that's my understanding anyway.

Sadly, as Rod says, docs seem only to be aware of T4 and no alternatives, T3 may have a bit of a bad name as bodybuilders use it - but if T4 works for you that's fine.

The Thyroid naturally produces thyroid hormones called T1 to T5, so I believe anyway, but Rod is way more knowledgeable. J

[helvella Administrator in reply to Hidden]

T5 is a bodybuilders' supplement:

Active Ingredients Per 2 Caps

Active: 1370mg

Green Tea Extract (80% polyphenols) – 500mg

Green tea, despite its modest name, contains certain active polyphenols that have been scientifically-demonstrated to have significant physiological effects, including fat loss, performance improvement and moderation of damaging cellular oxidation (antioxidant effects). Of particular interest is the catechin compound “epigallocatechin gallate”, which has been extensively investigated in several scientific studies and may be the most important legal, natural molecule in the war on fat! The specific green tea material used in Grenade Thermo Detonator has been manufactured to optimize levels of this compound.

Bitter Orange Extract (synephrine, octopamine, N-methyltyramine, tyramine, hordenine) – 420mg

This ingredient is another custom-processed extract also known as citrus aurantium. Its principal active extract is synephrine, which is a sypathomimetic, meaning that it stimulates the hormones involved in mobilizing and oxidizing (burning) energy and it has been specifically shown to enhance lipolysis (fat breakdown).

N-methyltyramine and tyramine have the ability to release catecholamines, which are the most powerful fat burning hormones in the human body. Octopamine is the N-methylated analogue of synephrine and it also has the ability to stimulate fat breakdown.

Caffeine Anhydrous (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) – 225mg

Caffeine Anhydrous is a xanthine alkaloid that is well known in the scientific literature to mobilize fat from fatty tissue and to increase physical performance and mental focus.

Cayenne – 200mg

Prominent weight loss scientists have investigated the considerable research on capsaicin-containing natural ingredients and determined that they can both increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation (fat burning) so as to decrease the energy balance equation. This would of course be expected to reduce body fat levels.

Phenylalanine (2-amino-3-phenylpropanoic acid) – 25mg

This amino acid may help to elevate levels of the appetite-suppressing hormone cholecystokinin (a.k.a. CCK) and may promote better mood and attention levels.

I believe much of the claim that T1 and T2 are found in the thyroid are mistaken interpretation of what Monoiodotyrosine (MIT) and Diiodotyrosine (DIT) actually are.

It is probably easier for me to point at Wiki than try to explain without pictures!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyro...

Rod

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

T5? OK yes, pictures are good - cheeky! nevertheless they do take T3 for the fat burning kick - and it probably kicks all sorts of stuff out of kilter for those who don't actually need it! hey ho - luckily I have a perfect body! (it's in the cupboard) J

[helvella Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Oh yes! Bodybuilders take T3.

I am, frankly, amazed that we do not hear more stories of such people ending up in A&E or worse. They buy stuff of "uncertain provenance", then ask what to do with it, ignore all advice and throw it down their necks. Then wonder why they feel odd.

Completely irresponsible.

[Willowluv]

I had no problems with getting t3 when I moved back to the uk a couple of months ago.....I just put it down on my entry form as medication my previous doc perscribed, which he did, she didnt bat an eye lid....I am still in shock and awe now lol.......

[Hidden in reply to Willowluv]

lol

When I moved down here and registered with a new doc, I put that I was on Armour (which I was - self medicating) hoping they would carry on and give me scripts, but I got a resounding "we dont prescribe that here".... was worth a try though

[sandrab1969]

Hi there- I am new here- but I have a very understanding GP... who helps me from not feeling like I am a farse.... I have taken T4 levothroxine for 4yrs..with a 'normal' testing result... BUT I seem to have lots of issues relating to T4 not converting in my body to T3 in the transfer is not actually benefiting certain body functions... aching bones/feet not working/brain fog/depression....SO I am to try combined therapy.... watch this space...started today!!!...... It always seems worse when I have another illness...cold or infection or stomach upset...does this happen to anyone else...It is like my body thinks OK needed elsewhere...so I live in dread of anything popping up. I am 43 also gone thru the menopause overnight...which I strongly disagree and feel it is totally thyroid related..but nobody listens......