RT3-Adrenals Reverse T3

In response to a message from the pituitary gland in the form of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), a healthy thyroid gland makes a lot of T4 (thyroxine), an inactive thyroid hormone, and a small amount of T3 (triiodothyronine), the active thyroid hormone. Then, as the body needs it, the inactive T4 is converted to the active T3.

For the body to utilize T3 properly, certain conditions must exist, most notably adequate cortisol and adequate iron. When the right conditions do not exist, instead of the T4 converting to T3, the body converts the T4 to Reverse T3 (RT3) another inactive hormone. This will also happen if the body believes there are starvation conditions, such as from extreme dieting or if there is serious illness. There are apparently many reasons the body converts T4 to RT3, and having some is normal, but not to the exclusion of the active hormone T3.

Once the receptors inside the cells are clogged with RT3, it appears to be very hard to clear it out, even when the original conditions that caused it are reversed. It does not matter whether the T4 to be converted is produced by one's own thyroid or comes in the form of thyroid medication. The same process applies. And the same process can go wrong.

The best way to break the cycle is to take T3-only thyroid hormone

(bioidentical Liothyronine sodium or triiodothyronine (brand U.S. Cytomel®, Mexico Cynomel®, U.K., Australia Tertroxin®). By taking T3-only hormone, the pituitary becomes convinced no T4 is needed. Production of TSH is suppressed and there is no T4 produced to convert to RT3. Over time the RT3 is cleared out and the body can properly utilize T3 hormone. The amount of T3 one is taking must be “titrated up” or increased very slowly and T4 has a long life so, at best, this process generally takes 11 to 12 weeks.

Details of taking T3 medication here