slow release t3 weight loss
Liothyronine is a very powerful and strong thyroid medication that is used to treat people who suffer from hypothyroidism. Generally adding T3 or Cytomel isn't enough to cause significant weight loss by itself, but it is almost always required in order for the body to get into "fat burning mode". This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. These changes may manifest clinically as heart palpitations or a rapid heartbeat. Image source. Dr. Westin Childs is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Tissue level hypothyroidism describes a condition where your blood levels of thyroid hormone may appear normal, but your tissues are starving for thyroid hormone. SR T3 can be tougher to digest so isn't necessarily the best choice in patients who have multiple GI issues or difficulty with absorption. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product. Have questions for us? But what's interesting is that T3 or liothyronine can be added to antidepressants even in patients with normal thyroid status and still improve mood and cognitive function. Download more free resources on this page. You'll know that Cytomel is working if you experience any of the following positive side effects: When starting T3 you should experience most of these symptoms and none, or very few, of the negative side effects listed above. Instead, most people end up with a dose somewhere between 5mcg and 20 mcg per day. The potential problem is that some tissues (mostly cardiac tissues) are very sensitive to T3 hormone. Recall these basics from thyroid physiology: T4 = INACTIVE hormone and must be converted to T3 to become active <--- This is what most Doctors prescribe (Think Synthroid, Levothyroxine, Tirosint), T3 = ACTIVE thyroid hormone which does NOT need to be converted to become active <--- Most Doctors do NOT prescribe this medication (Cytomel, Liothyronine, SR T3 (1)). The delayed release allows for more stable serum levels of T3 which means your cardiac tissue doesn't get hit with a high dose all at once. You can read more about his own personal journey here. Generally the sensation of palpitations is more concerning to the patient than it is medically relevant, but obviously, an increased force on the heart is not a good thing either. 6 Ways Selenium Benefits Thyroid Function (+ How Much To Use), Losing Weight on Levothyroxine (Why It’s Not Working), Signs You Are Taking Too Much Levothyroxine (Levothyroxine Overdose), 6 Hashimoto’s Diet Myths Debunked & Why They Aren’t True. He provides well-researched actionable information about hormone-related disorders and formulates supplements to treat these disorders. If you have questions about our policies or supplements please reach out to us via email at [email protected] or call us: (480) 331-9431. Low thyroid hormone = weight gain (one of the primary symptoms of Hypothyroidism). 4 Release of TSH stimulates the thyroid to make T3 and T4, the hormones responsible for thyroid function. If you were taking 100mcg of T4 you would want to be on around 20mcg of T3. No matter how hard we try we will never be able to exactly replicate the dosing schedule that the body uses naturally, but we can get close by taking the hormone at several points throughout the day. Everyone’s T3 (active thyroid hormone) dropped. Levothyroxine Dosage Guide: Are you on the Right Dose? If you are taking some other form of thyroid hormone (levothyroxine, Synthroid or even forms of NDT) and you aren't getting improvement in your symptoms or you aren't noticing weight loss then improving your T3 levels might help. The bad news is that many patients who suffer from hypothyroidism already experience some degree of hair loss due to the condition itself (along with many other potential factors that you can read more about here). Liothyronine may cause weight loss but it should not be used as a weight loss medication. So if T3 and T4 levels are low, your heart rate may be slower than normal, and you may have constipation/weight gain. Liothyronine comes in the following standard dosages: Even though there are 25 and 50mcg doses you will rarely find a provider willing to prescribe a dose that high. When it comes to feeling better starting T3 is only the beginning, more important is the dose that you use. I referenced Levothyroxine and Synthroid above because the great majority of patients are on these medications. This means Liothyronine isn't in your system longer than a few days. Thyroid hormones, including Cytomel, either alone or with other therapeutic agents, should not be used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss. Anorexia nervosa, often referred to simply as anorexia, is an eating disorder, characterized by low weight, food restriction, fear of gaining weight and a strong desire to be thin. Unlike weight loss where you shouldn't use T3 unless you are hypothyroid, small doses of liothyronine can be effective in helping treat depression. Some physicians believe treatment of hypothyroidism is simple. As long as T3 is used in the correct dosages there shouldn't be any long term consequences with its use. The hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland, which sends thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to the thyroid to trigger the release of thyroid hormones. * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. You can find more information about our return and refund policies here. The exact mechanism as to how this helps is not well established, but one of the prevailing theories is that some patients with depression may have subclinical levels (or undetected) of thyroid dysfunction that don't show up on standard lab tests and may therefore manifest as depressive symptoms. * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Get Reverse T3 Checked For Low Thyroid Problem. The studies conclusion was that the there may be something specific to T3 that occurs in the brain tissue which may influence mood and cognition, and this benefit may not be achieved with the use of T4 medication alone. When using combination thyroid hormone you will want to shoot for a ratio of close to 80% T4 and 20% T3 as this matches what your thyroid produces naturally. Patients in this study took T4 medication for a set time period and were then converted to T3 thyroid medication, at a rate of 50mcg of T4 to 12.5mcg of T3. But if you give someone T3 only medication, you don't have to rely on the body for converting T4 to T3. Have you used Cytomel successfully to lose weight? Consequently, the metabolism slows and the body temperature drops and the symptoms appear. Armour Thyroid Medication Guide: Weight Loss, Dosing, Side Effects & More, 5 Tips to Lower TPO Antibodies to Help Reduce Your Symptoms. If you don't have enough of these hormones, you'll feel sluggish and you may gain weight. All of these were seen simply by changing the dose and without adding in any other therapies! This means that 10mcg of IR T3 ingested will not necessarily equal 10mcg of SR T3 ingested. If you want to lose weight, consider starting by avoiding sugar and starch (like bread, pasta and potatoes). Monitoring lab tests, in addition to your symptoms, will help you get to your optimal dosing. In this study, patients were given LT3 medication in place of their usual thyroid medication at equivalent doses and the researchers found that patients who switched experience an average of 4-5 pounds of weight loss without any other changes. As you can see from the case studies above T3 is always PART of the therapy, and in some cases, therapy revolves around thyroid dosing, but other therapies are almost always required for 40+ pounds of weight loss. Liothyronine has a half-life on the order of 24 hours (6) while levothyroxine has a half-life on the order of 5-7 days (7). Do more gentle forms of exercise: It may seem counter-intuitive to slow your exercise pace to get more benefit but it really is important. : Compounded and generally bound to methylcellulose, Patients who are sensitive to T3 or who have a tendency to lean towards heart palpitations tend to do better on the sustained release version of T3, Increased body temperature, hot flashes or warm flashes, Weight loss (most common) weight gain (uncommon but does happen), If you can promote T4 to T3 conversion then you will necessarily reduce T4 to reverse T3 conversion, © 2021 Dr. Westin Childs | Thyroid & Health Supplements That Work, Sustained Release T3 (SR T3) vs Immediate Release T3, Improving T4 to T3 Conversion with other Thyroid Medications, Cytomel Side Effects: Complete List + Dosing Guide for Patients, Liothyronine User Guide: Dosage, Weight Loss, Side Effects & More, How to Increase Free T3 Levels Naturally: 8 Step Guide + Tips & Tricks. Liothyronine is different from other thyroid medications because it is active but also because it has a very short half-life. I am a Doctor (D.O.) Beyond these guidelines, there are also other considerations that should be taken into account when starting liothyronine. A few things should be noted about SR T3 however: 1. Men saw bigger changes than women. Patients who fall into this category generally have a normal TSH, low T3 and normal to mid-range T4 levels (9). If you can promote T4 to T3 conversion then you will necessarily reduce T4 to reverse T3 conversion. Calculating these ratios is important because it can help you determine if your efforts are on the right track and whether or not your medications are working. Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. 6 Ways Selenium Benefits Thyroid Function (+ How Much To Use), Losing Weight on Levothyroxine (Why It’s Not Working), Signs You Are Taking Too Much Levothyroxine (Levothyroxine Overdose), 6 Hashimoto’s Diet Myths Debunked & Why They Aren’t True. The idea is that upon replacing the small deficiency of thyroid hormone the brain has sufficient thyroid hormone and the depression "lifts" or is treated. When reconstituted with Sterile Solvent, the suspension contains 3.75 mg/ml leuprorelin acetate. Liothyronine can help with weight loss but it should not be used as a weight loss medication. This means that even with higher doses of NDT, patients are still susceptible to reverse T3 pooling. Just because T3 is stronger (about 3-4x stronger than T4 medications like Synthroid) doesn't mean that it is dangerous. Then why don't more doctors prescribe it? The answer is not as straightforward as it might seem. Under conditions of stress, the cells of the body convert less T4 (the less active hormone supplied by the thyroid gland) into the active thyroid hormone, T3. If you decide to start Cytomel make sure you start at a low dose and titrate or increase your dose up slowly over an extended period of time (weeks to months). I am a Doctor (D.O.) This has a great impact on your body and your symptoms. Usually, these symptoms will subside, especially when starting out on a low dose, but sometimes nutrient deficiencies and other hormone imbalances can make it difficult to tolerate T3. The higher your free T3 the more active your thyroid hormone is, the lower your reverse T3 and the higher your metabolism will be. ), the more likely they are to need higher doses of T3 compared to T4. When they supplemented T4 during the fast, T3 still dropped. 2. It's possible that replacing thyroid hormone with T3 may temporarily exacerbate these deficiencies and lead to an increase in hair loss temporarily. By monitoring both of these variables you can ensure that you are getting an adequate dose while preventing excessive dosing or hyperthyroid symptoms. The addition of Cytomel and liothyronine to existing doses of NDT provides an additional boost of T3 and skews the ratio of T4 to T3 more in favor of T3. Hypothyroidism is a common condition where the thyroid doesn’t create and release enough thyroid hormone into your bloodstream. If you are suffering from depression, whether that is from thyroid dysfunction or not, it may be worth considering a trial of T3 therapy or liothyronine as an alternative or complementary treatment to your existing treatment. Liothyronine, as well as cytomel, may cause a temporary increase in hair loss among certain individuals. With that in mind, the negative side effects of liothyronine use tend to mimic those of hyperthyroidism. Can you Be Hyperthyroid & Hypothyroid At the Same Time? Some people believe that upon starting this medication that they will immediately lose weight and start feeling better - this is not necessarily the case. The T3 and T4 hormones help regulate the body's metabolic rate (the rate at which the various processes in the body work, such as how quickly calories are burnt). In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland doesn't respond fully to TSH, so not enough T3 and T4 reach the body's organs, and functions begin to slow. Most patients who need T3 have one or more of the following: Basically, these conditions all are associated with a higher demand for thyroid hormone or a condition known as tissue level hypothyroidism (4). One study showed that when patients switched from taking T4 medication to T3 medication they showed an improved mood, an increase in sex hormone binding globulin (likely indicating better thyroid absorption and function) and a slightly higher pulse rate. Studies have shown (16) that substituting T3 in place of T4 in pituitary-equivalent dosages (based on the TSH) results in reduced body weight, better cellular thyroid action on lipid metabolism without negative side effects. Despite this, you are much more likely to have success in asking for a small dose of T3 compared to asking for a large dose. He is trained in Internal Medicine, Functional Medicine, and Integrative Medicine. This leaves a huge majority of patients symptomatic even after taking certain medications. These are patients who may experience jittery sensations or anxiety upon starting even a low dose. And this also may explain why Doctors, in general, are not as comfortable prescribing this medication to patients (even though so many patients benefit from taking it). It is also the generic version of the brand name medication Cytomel (also used to treat hypothyroidism). Due to digestive issues, SR T3 may not be fully absorbed which means that the dose is less efficacious than IR T3 versions. Used in conjunction with other thyroid medications (5), especially T4 only thyroid medications like Synthroid. Calculating these ratios is important because it can help you determine if your efforts are on the right track and whether or not your medications are working. Liothyronine is a special type of prescription grade thyroid hormone, it's also the most powerful thyroid medication that exists. For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1 These variables, if combined with thyroid lab testing for total T3 and free T3, will help you determine your ideal dose. This may explain why so many hypothyroid patients are unhappy despite getting "treatment" with T4 only medications (5). The use of liothyronine for weight loss in individuals who don't have thyroid dysfunction may cause unwanted side effects. Obviously, we don't want to take something like 1mcg every hour, but taking 5mcg every 4-6 hours may be a better and more realistic approach. But why doesn't that weight go away once you start taking Levothyroxine or T4 hormone? In general, liothyronine is well tolerated provided you dose in a "low and slow" manner. Dosing should be titrated low and slow and dosing should be individualized while following serum thyroid lab tests. Your thyroid helps control your metabolism and helps set your basal metabolic rate (2). Welcome to my website! A typical starting dose may be as low as 5-10mcg with an increase in dose by 5-10mcg every 10-14 days. Some studies have shown that the use of T3 in combination with SSRI's (common antidepressants) enhance the effect of these antidepressants. But it's important to identify yourself as either a "sensitive" or a "non-sensitive" patient because of its influence on dosing. Some patients may do well on small doses of Cytomel (5-10mcg per day) whereas others may need considerably more. This side effect is only seen when dosing tends to be on the higher side and it can be avoided by following thyroid lab testing. Non-sensitive patients tend to tolerate moderate to higher doses just fine and are much easier to obtain the correct dosing. The lower your free T3 and the higher your reverse T3 the slower your metabolism will be and the more likely you will be to experience symptoms of hypothyroidism. T3 and T4 Your thyroid is a small but mighty gland that sits beneath your Adam’s apple. Learn more about this endocrine disorder, including the symptoms and potential causes. This medication, therefore, does not need to be "activated" by the body and begins working almost immediately. Once the thyroid stimulating hormone makes its way to your thyroid, levels are largely dictated by the amount of T3 and T4 in your blood. Studies have shown that, in the setting of treatment-resistant depression, Cytomel dosing can be as high as 70-100mcg per day (7). But what about natural desiccated thyroid medications? More sensitive patients should start out at even lower doses while patients who have previously tolerated T3 medications in the past may be able to start at higher doses. Because of this, it's wise to monitor both your resting heart rate and your basal body temperature each morning if you decide to use this medication. My goal is to provide you with the most in-depth analysis of every topic you read. But, in cardiac tissues, T3 has a direct ionotropic and chronotropic effect (10). You can read more about his own personal journey here. His focus is on managing thyroid disorders, weight loss resistance, and other sex hormone imbalances. So if you have hypothyroidism and you are taking a T4 only medication, you are relying upon your body to do the converting process for you. Reverse T3 = Inactive thyroid metabolite that can form from T4 in the presence of inflammation, stress, poor diet and nutrient deficiencies. Liothyronine can also be used to treat depression. You can, and should, also direct your dosing based off of your thyroid lab tests such as TSH, Free T4, and Free T3. Welcome to my website! Literally, T3 determines how fast we live (our metabolic rate/body temperature). Cytomel can help boost your metabolism and lead to weight loss, ESPECIALLY in certain hypothyroid patients. This is also why some bodybuilders use T3 medication to boost metabolism and burn fat before competitions. When it comes to sheer power, Cytomel definitely is stronger than Levothyroxine. ... Slow-Release Nicotinic Acid: These drugs may decrease serum TBG concentration. It has to do with the conversion process I mentioned above. Some patients are also concerned about TSH suppression with the use of liothyronine. Hey There! You can see a list of side effects of using liothyronine below along with the potential cause: If you experience any of these side effects you should refer to your prescribing Doctor for further recommendations. While dosing, make sure that you follow the thyroid lab tests: TSH, free t3, total t3 and SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin). And this makes sense when you consider how the body normally uses hormones. Is there a specific magic dose to look for? With these ideas in mind I've compiled a list of patients who may consider the use of T3 in their treatment: This is not an all-inclusive list, but it is a great starting tool. Because this medication is powerful you always want to start a low dose and titrate up to higher doses in a slow and controlled manner. It is estimated that T3 is about 3-4 times more potent at altering the TSH when compared to LT4 (6). If you have low T3 (even if your other thyroid lab studies are "within range") you may be missing out on these important benefits of T3 in your body. In order to understand why Cytomel causes weight loss, you need to understand the importance of thyroid hormone in your fat cells and mitochondria. Those who ate pure carbohydrate saw their T3 return to normal. Thyroid and Adrenal Glandulars: Are They Safe and Effective? Use the information in this post to help determine if Cytomel would be helpful for your case and remember that each person is unique. This allows for less competition at the cellular level between T3 and Reverse T3 which can result in more weight loss and fewer symptoms (8). Learn which foods you should absolutely be avoiding if you have thyroid disease of any type. Liothyronine can be used in 2 different ways: #1. Move at a moderate pace: I recommend exercise like weight training, use of kettle bells and dancing. Patients who tend to require T3 medications are those who suffer from more serious medical conditions such as systemic inflammation, hormone resistance syndromes such as leptin resistance and insulin resistance and those with treatment-resistant weight gain. Sit down and dig into these posts. SR T3 can also be used in patients who want fewer inactive ingredients in their medication because compounding pharmacies can control what ingredients they formulate the T3 with (to some degree). This means incremental increases in the medication every few weeks with periodic checks of serum lab tests. : If you are adding Cytomel to an existing dose of NDT due to reverse T3 pooling issues you will likely need to decrease your total dose of NDT to reduce serum levels of T4. Do Cortisol Blockers Actually Work for Weight Loss? Think about animals – they don’t go on marathon runs or head to the gym every day. Having said that liothyronine may help with weight loss in patients who have hypothyroidism. If you can get your Doctor to test your free T3 levels and show that they are quite low most physicians are willing to add in T3 hormone. If you have questions regarding your health you should seek qualified information from a medical professional or your doctor. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The dose necessary for optimal results will vary based on the individual and you must take some thoughtful time and consideration to get there. While using Cytomel make sure to monitor both your resting heart rate and basal body temperature to ensure that you do not overdose yourself. Has it helped treat your thyroid disease?