Conversion of t4 to t3 thyroid hormone

Do you have a thyroid disorder? Or rather, do you suspect you have a thyroid disorder, yet your blood work came back “normal”?

Testing only TSH to assess thyroid function is not enough. 

During a comprehensive thyroid workup, we assess how well your body is converting the main thyroid hormone (T4) to the active thyroid hormone (T3). Your T4 hormone must be converted into T3 in order for your body to use it.This article will review the conversion of T4 to T3 and what you can do to optimize it!

Traditional health practitioners screen thyroid function by looking at one main lab value called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).

The pituitary gland in your brain releases TSH which then tells your thyroid gland to make thyroid hormone (abbreviated T4).

However, your body must convert T4 into T3 (the active form) in order to use it. If the conversion of T4 to T3 is poor, then you may experience some of the common hypothyroid symptoms like fatigue, depression, sensitivity to cold temperatures, difficulty concentrating, and more.

Keep in mind, that this poor conversion can occur even if your TSH levels appear to be normal. So, it’s important to assess the conversion of T4 to the active form of T3 to find the root cause of your symptoms and optimize thyroid function.

Trying to navigate health issues on your own can be overwhelming and frustrating. When it comes to optimizing the conversion of T4 to T3 and treating thyroid conditions, finding the root cause is essential.

Whether it’s poor gut health, nutrient deficiencies, or inflammation, we are here to support and guide you in your healing journey.

 

Learn more about our treatment programs here. All of our functional medicine plans include a thyroid lab panel which assesses this T4 to T3 conversion. Because we know that up to 60% of people with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition, we feel this is an important screening test! (5)