T4 question

[saudades]

My levels of T4 from a blood test showed low but still above the lower limit of the test. T3 level was right in the middle. I can't remember exactly, but I think my TSH was normal as well. My doc has me on a trial of 137mcg of synthroid/day. What exactly will this do? Raise T3 or just raise T4? What exactly does T4 do in the body on its own? So far, I can't pin anything down, but there have been a couple of times late in the day that I am an absolute furnace, literally hot. I take the T4 in the morning. I'm trying to figure out if this is all related and what is going on.

 

[dreww]

i thought T4 turned into T3 in the body.

 

[saudades]

It does, but I think it has other functions, too, not just to be turned into T3.

 

[Crazymank]

all i know is i've taken t3 and it makes me miserable.

 

[saudades]

Miserable in what way? What did it do to you?

 

[The Dude]

T4 is useless. Its only job is to convert into T3 in the body. Just b/c your doc says that your T3 is in the normal range means nothing. As you know Dr's goals aren't the same as ours. Your goal is to attain an OPTIMUM metabolism. My guess is your T3 is in the gutter, but your doc doesn't want to give you cytomel as there is no metabolic safegaurd in the body for T3 use. Normal testosterone levels are 300ng/dl - 2400ng/dl. Where do you want to be? Same deal as getting an adequate dose of HRT my man. You need a new Doc.

 

[The Dude]

all i know is i've taken t3 and it makes me miserable.

This is because T3 is indiscriminate. It processes anything it can get it's hands on I.e. Glucose from your blood and muscles as well as amino acids. T3 is a very difficult drug to dose correctly and even if you hit it on the head (I would never go over 25mcg a day) you will need plenty of anabolics to counteract it's natural catabolic nature.... that is if your usage is putting you into supraphysiolgical ranges. For those that are hypothyroidal, T3 use will lead to a much better metabolic environment for all physique enhancement purposes.

 

[jtunderdog]

Thats a high dose to start bro. I kid you not. I started at 25mcgs at first. A lack of free t4 equals low t3 because of conversion. This equals poor metabolism Saud. I am hypo thyroid and I am on 100mcgs after two different dosages having to be upped. It seems odd to me that they would start you so high if you were only on the low end of normal. Dude is somewhat correct in that we want a higher metabolism to stay leaner to for better protein synthesis. The problem with synthroid and the likes are that there are sides. When you go too high you will get antsy and also if you go too high you will get bug eyed and seem hyperthyroid.

 

[The Dude]

Thats a high dose to start bro. I kid you not. I started at 25mcgs at first. A lack of free t4 equals low t3 because of conversion. This equals poor metabolism Saud. I am hypo thyroid and I am on 100mcgs after two different dosages having to be upped. It seems odd to me that they would start you so high if you were only on the low end of normal. Dude is somewhat correct in that we want a higher metabolism to stay leaner to for better protein synthesis. The problem with synthroid and the likes are that there are sides. When you go too high you will get antsy and also if you go too high you will get bug eyed and seem hyperthyroid.

From what you have shared about your physician, I suggest you get your test results and get another opinion. It really depends on your diagnosis. T4 is inert. It has to be converted via an enzyme to T3 which is the only thyroid hormone to have a direct effect on metabolism. I can go as far into this as you would like, but having low T4 would only be relevant if you have low T3 and an over abundance of the enzyme. Your body (normally) works via a negative biofeedback thus those with a healthy functioning thyroid will see an increase in activity until it is compensated for. For those that have non functioning thyroids, you are playing cat and mouse, like HCG and Clomid and Nolvadex to correct low test levels or just skip the middle man and do HRT. Taking T3 takes the guess work and back and forth BS out of it. It is constant, unwaivering, and easy to obtain and maintain optimum levels. I have experience with this in the classroom, personal experience as well as a substantial amount of experience with bodybuilders and figure competitors both pro and amateur.

 

[winneevee]

Check the link I gave jtunderdog.. It will explain all you need to know...