How to Treat Underactive Thyroid With T3

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck

Your thyroid is a small gland located at the base of the front of your neck. An underactive thyroid is called hypothyroid and can be treated in several ways. Symptoms of a slow thyroid can be mood swings, weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, insomnia, constipation, heavy menstrual periods and slow heart rate. Treating a thyroid with T3 is safe and effective once the proper prescribed amount is fine-tuned. This article will help you get started.

Instructions

1. Determine you are truly hypothyroid. Diagnosing a slow thyroid is done by a physician with blood tests and evaluation of symptoms. The blood tests include checking the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), T3 and T4 thyroid hormone levels. Many doctors now check for thyroid problems by using a Free (non-binding) T3 and Free T4 test. Getting an accurate diagnosis can be challenging, so make sure your health-care practitioner is using the newest recommended ranges and tests for Free T3.

2. Use the right kind and amount of T3. Treatment for thyroid problems comes in three different types. Prescription synthetic thyroid, prescription natural thyroid and over-the-counter weak forms of natural thyroid. The kind you use depends on the severity of your hypothyroidism and person preference.

3. Take T3 as a synthetic equivalent of the hormone, as in the prescription Cytomel. This medication causes the same processes in the body as if the thyroid were to produce the T3 hormone. The most commonly prescribed thyroid hormone, Synthroid (levothyroxine), contains only T4. Many doctors mistakenly believe that Synthroid contains T3; it is important to work with a doctor who understands the difference. Thyroid-info.com has a list of experienced physicians who prescribe both T3 and T4.

4. Try a natural version of a T3 containing prescription, such as Armour or NT (Natural Thyroid). Both of these medications contain both T3 and T4 and are only available through prescribed dosages obtained through a pharmacy. They shouldn't be confused with the glandular concentrates or thyroid formulas that are sold in natural food stores.
   The most common starting dose for Armour is ideally 45 milligrams (mg) taken twice a day, once after breakfast and once after dinner. Taking it after meals also helps to reduce stability of the blood-level of T3.

5. Monitor your hormone levels regularly to make sure the T3 you are taking is adequate. Free T3 and Free T4 levels should be checked every month---and the hormone therapy adjusted until the Free T3 and Free T4 levels are in the specific levels the doctor wants to achieve. Once levels are stable, monitoring can be done once a year.

Tips & Warnings

• Start slow. It's better to take lower doses of thyroid hormones and increase as needed.

• Untreated thyroid can cause many health problems, including heart, infertility, emotional disorders and even birth defects. If you suspect you have hypothyroidism, seek help from an experienced health-care practitioner.

References

• BUPA: Underactive Thyroid
• Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 2000, Vol 34, Issue 10 Hypothyroidism and Depression , Dr. Makela
• Living Well with Hypothyroidism by Mary Solomon, Harper Collins Publishing 2000

Resources

• Undertanding Thyroid Dr. Kenneth Woliner, MD Holistic Family Medicine
• Thyroid Info Doctors