As a thyroid patient, you may be familiar with the importance of thyroid hormones, particularly T3 and T4. However, did you know that T3 is hundreds of times more biologically active than any other thyroid hormone in your body? This means that if you want to feel better, have more energy, regrow your hair, lose weight, and not be cold all the time, you need to focus on improving how much T3 your body has available.
In this article, we will discuss how you can increase free T3 levels naturally. We will cover two different approaches: the easy way and the not-so-easy way. The easy way involves getting a prescription for Cytomel or Liothyronine, which are prescription thyroid medications that contain pure T3. However, getting a prescription from your doctor may not be easy. Therefore, we will focus on the not-so-easy way, which includes natural ways to encourage your body to create more T3.
Optimize Key Nutrients
Your body takes T4 and turns it into either T3 or reverse T3. To encourage the conversion of T4 to T3, you need to take certain nutrients that the body needs for that process to occur. These include zinc, selenium, and guggul extract or guggulsterone. Zinc and selenium are essential nutrients for thyroid patients, and they also help with the T4 to T3 conversion process. Guggul extract or guggulsterone has the capacity to help with that conversion process as well. Additionally, taking antioxidants or anti-inflammatory supplements can reduce inflammation in your body, which can encourage the conversion of T4 to T3.
Improve Your Gut Health
It is essential to have proper gut health. About 20% of T4 to T3 conversion occurs in the gut. If you have gut problems, you may limit how much of that 20% can occur. Therefore, improving your gut health can improve that conversion process. Take stock of the type of symptoms you have, such as pain, constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, acid reflux, or food intolerances. These symptoms indicate that something is wrong with your gut. The top three most common gut problems among thyroid patients are H. pylori infection, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and acid reflux.
Reduce Reverse T3 Levels
Reducing reverse T3 levels can increase T3 levels because T4 has a fork in the conversion process. It can either turn into T3 or reverse T3. If you encourage the T4 to T3 conversion process, you will necessarily reduce the T4 to reverse T3 process. This can be achieved by reducing inflammation in your body, optimizing key nutrients, and addressing any underlying health issues.
Manage Stress
Stress can impact your thyroid function and T3 levels. Therefore, managing stress is essential for thyroid patients. You can manage stress by practicing relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. Additionally, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and spending time in nature can help reduce stress.
Address Underlying Health Issues
Underlying health issues, such as insulin resistance, adrenal dysfunction, or chronic infections, can impact your thyroid function and T3 levels. Therefore, it is essential to address these issues to improve your T3 levels. Work with a healthcare practitioner who can help you identify and address any underlying health issues.
In conclusion, increasing free T3 levels naturally is possible by optimizing key nutrients, improving your gut health, reducing reverse T3 levels, managing stress, and addressing underlying health issues. By following these natural approaches, you can improve your T3 levels and feel better as a thyroid patient.