Worried about symptoms of high reverse T3?
Reverse T3 (RT3) is considered a biologically inactive thyroid hormone. For this reason high levels of this hormone are associated with a range of hypothyroid symptoms.
The Symptoms of High Reverse T3 You Need To Know About
One of the main jobs of the thyroid hormones is to regulate energy metabolism. For this reason when reverse T3 is elevated it slows metabolism which leads to a range of hypothyroid symptoms. This can include;
- Ongoing fatigue.
- Feeling cold all the time.
- Difficulty losing weight, or gaining weight easily.
- Noticeable hair loss.
- Low blood pressure and heart palpitations.
- Slower than normal pulse rate.
- Mood swings that range from mild to severe.
- Depression and anxiety.
- Brain fog, poor memory and concentration.
- Swelling around the throat or hoarseness.
- Muscles aches and joint pain.
- For women, menstrual problems or irregular periods.
- Dry and flaky skin.
- Sluggish digestion and constipation.
- Face, hands and feet are swollen and puffy.
- Low sex-drive, you have lost your MOJO!
Why Does The Body Produce Excess Reverse T3?
Elevated RT3 occurs for a number of reasons. Too much stress, chronic illness, calorie restriction, long standing infections, systemic low-grade inflammation, hard-wired genetic traits, and an unhealthy diet are all factors to consider.
Maintaining An Optimal T3/RT3 Balance
It’s important the body maintains an optimal balance of triiodothyronine (T3) and RT3. In a clinical setting high serum reverse T3 (RT3) indicates greater amounts of thyroxine (T4) are converting to RT3.
Let me explain more.
As you may already know the body naturally produces ample amounts of T4. In fact, T4 is often termed a ‘pro-hormone’ as it is converted to T3 when the body needs to ramp up thyroid hormone activity.
T3 is running the show…so this is the reason WHY adequate T3 makes a significant difference to how you feel.
In contrast, RT3 slow metabolism to keep your metabolic rate in check. This means that at every given moment your body is working hard to maintain an optimal balance of both T3 and RT3 to keep your metabolic rate going at a steady pace. When there’s an imbalance things start to go wrong.
High RT3 Has a Powerful Effect on Slowing Metabolism
What happens when RT3 pools in the body?
Elevated RT3 often indicates less T4 is converting to T3. In effect, the T4 is being diverted towards production of RT3.
So when you have higher levels of circulating RT3, there is far less free T3 available.
The Importance of The Reverse T3 Test
Many of the symptoms of excess reverse T3 are non-specific so it’s important to get proper testing. I recommend you get a complete thyroid panel that includes the specific RT3 test as it’s an extremely useful biomarker.
The reverse T3 (RT3) test measures circulating levels of RT3. As you can imagine, this common thyroid disorder is easily missed if this specific test is not done.
Unfortunately testing RT3 remains controversial. For that matter, you may even find some doctors refuse to authorize testing. If you are struggling to get proper testing there’s an alternative…order the tests you need online.
In Australia?
i-screen, Australia make it easy to order a Reverse T3 Check. No doctor referral is necessary. It’s possible to order online and get results sent directly to you. Click here to find out more: Order your Reverse T3 Check today!
In the USA?
Take back control and order the tests you need with True Health Labs. This company offer the Complete Thyroid Test Panel to give you deeper insights into the complexity of your thyroid health. The Complete Thyroid Test Panel includes the RT3 test. You can go to the True Health Labs website for more information: Order the thyroid tests you need today!
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