Doctors often treat hypothyroidism with levothyroxine (T4). New research is revealing that many people also need T3 to feel good.
Written by Joe Graedon
One of the most controversial and contentious issues in endocrinology has to do with the best treatment for hypothyroidism. Most doctors insist that standard treatment with levothyroxine (L-T4, Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Tirosint, Unithroid) is the answer to a sluggish or inactive thyroid gland. They reject natural thyroid or supplementation with T3 (Cytomel or compounded slow-release products) as unnecessary or unreliable.
The Problem for Hypothyroid People
Many people with hypothyroidism (estimates range from 12 to 15% of patients or higher) complain of symptoms when they are treated with standard levothyroxine. Even when blood tests (TSH) suggest that thyroid function is normalized, these individuals feel like crap. They complain of fatigue, impaired cognition or “foggy brain,” weight gain, and general malaise.
Until now, many endocrinologists were inclined to chalk up such complaints as psychosomatic, ie, all in the head. They did not wish to contemplate a problem with the standard treatment regimen.
Here is just one example from a visitor to our website:
I have been on Synthroid for 40 years. I definitely have problems that have grown over the years. I go for my TSH blood test and it comes back within the normal range. So the doctor prescribes my usual .125 mg Synthroid and sends me on my way.
When I show him my swollen feet and legs and the stasis dermatitis now forming on my lower legs, he says, “You have venous insufficiency. Wear compression stockings and elevate your legs as much as possible.”
When I had two separate incidents of depression and anxiety, I was prescribed the antidepressant Paxil. After one year my legs swelled up even more than usual.
I suffer from constipation, lack of energy and lower back pain and have not been able to lose weight for years. My muscles ache all the time and my feet hurt constantly when I walk very far.
I‘ll be 66 years old in a few weeks and I feel like I am 80. I read all the articles and am very aware of the foods I should and should not eat. All my doctor cares about is the TSH test, and as long as the result comes back within the normal range he is happy and assumes all is well with my thyroid.
K.H.
How Do We Get from T4 to T3?
To understand the complexity of thyroid supplementation, we need to take a quick detour into some basic biology. Don’t panic! We will do our best to make this understandable.
The thyroid gland makes a few hormones but we are only going to focus on two, T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). The numbers T4 and T3 represent the number of iodine atoms ( 4 and 3 respectively) attached to the basic hormone structure.
Thyroxine (T4) is a prohormone and is relatively inactive. It has to be converted to T3 by the body. An enzyme removes one of the iodine atoms to accomplish this. As much as 80% of T4 is converted to T3. T3 is three to five times more potent than T4. So the efficient conversion of T4 to T3 is critical, and levels of circulating “free” T3 are essential to well being.
The New Discovery
Okay, before your eyes glaze over, let’s get to the new and exciting research. A team of investigators led by endocrinologists at Rush University Medical Center (in Chicago, IL) has just published studies in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (online, Jan 2, 2015) and the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (online, Jan. 8, 2015).
Their animal research involved removing rat thyroid glands. When the scientists tried to normalize hormone levels with just levothyroxine (L-T4) they were unsuccessful. The animals demonstrated signs of hypothyroidism, especially within the brain, which might account for why some humans complain of cognitive dysfunction on T4 alone. The investigators were able to normalize circulating T3 levels and improve symptoms by supplementing T4 with extra T3.
Their human study uncovered genetic variability in patients suffering from hypothyroidism. They estimate that the mutation exists in 12% to 36% of the population. It makes it harder to convert T4 to T3. The scientists detected negative brain changes in patients that have difficulty making the T4 to T3 conversion. Such patients generally prefer a treatment regimen that involves both levothyroxine together with T3 supplementation (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (May, 2009).
Patient Stories
My daughter has had hypothyroidism since she was 12. She is now 28 and took Synthroid up until 2 years ago. She felt lousy and was tired and her hair fell out and she had dry skin, even though they said her levels were fine! Well she started to take Armour Thyroid two years ago and there was a huge difference!
She feels better and was also able to lose 60 lbs over the past 2 years. She couldn’t lose any before, as hard as she worked at it. I highly recommend Armour instead of the Synthroid!
J.F.
I have struggled with thyroid problems since I was 8. At age 57, I’ve had thyroid cancer twice, 2 surgeries & now high dose radiation/ablation. My last surgery was 18 months ago & I have gained 18 pounds since then.
I have no energy & struggle to stay awake. My hair & nails are falling off. I’ve been getting weekly iron IV infusions yet my red blood cell & ferritin levels as well as thyroid levels remain low.
For years I took Armour Thyroid & was happy & healthy. Now I’m told I MUST take Synthroid even though I feel it’s ruining my life. I’m in my doctor’s waiting room now; I plan to show him these articles & ask for Armour. It’s hard to imagine the damage levothyroxine has done to my life unless you have lived it. I urge all people taking Synthroid but feeling poorly to tell their doctor & give Armour a try.
Shasha
I have taken Armour Thyroid, Synthroid and Levothroid at various times. The ONLY one of the 3 that did not give me major side effects has been the Armour Thyroid. I have much more energy, no headaches and no fatigue like I have with the synthetic products.
Diane
We are not beating the drum for Armour Thyroid or any particular brand of natural or synthetic thyroid hormone. Some doctors prescribe levothyroxine and supplement it with Cytomel (T3) or with a special timed-release T3 formulation that compounding pharmacists can make. This creates more balanced T4 and T3 levels circulating within the body.
Thyroid hormones are essential for normal body functioning. Getting the balance adjusted is a little like Goldilocks and the porridge; not too hot, not too cold, not too much and not too little. We want you to get it just right.
About Joe Graedon
For more than four decades, Joe and Terry Graedon have been teaching, writing, and broadcasting information to help people make informed decisions about their health.
The People’s Pharmacy website provides insights about the pros and cons of prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Visitors share stories about side effects, interactions, and generic drug complications that often haven’t yet reached the FDA. The People’s Pharmacy community of readers also reports valuable experiences about affordable alternative treatments that might help solve a problem without a prescription.
Joe Graedon has been on the Dr. Oz Medical Advisory Board since 2012.
READ NEXT: 10 things that stopped my thyroid hair loss
About Dana Trentini
What is NP Thyroid? I was diagnosed at age 12. I’m 54. My dr just switched me to this.
I am on 275mg of levothyroxine for over 4 yrs, i could sleep 22 hours a day I have discussed things with my Dr and i keep being told my levels are normal and i can’t lose weight if it life depended on it.
I had hypothyroudism 6 months postpartum but then it went away again over the next two years (so the doctor says) my TSH levels are within normal range now but I still feel like crap and have added 60lbs to my body thst i cannot lose. My skin cracks because its so dry, my hair is extremely thin, i can go to sleep whereever/whenever and i am alyways drained. Is there some othee way to diagnose hypothyroidism other than TSH T4 and T3
Uk docs won’t even entertain t3, Armour, Nature thyroid, or anything outside levothyroxine.
Makes me so upset
Search for another doctor. It can be done. You have the right to try.
I was overdosed on Cytomel recently. I was also on levothyroxine. I have AFIB and Sick Sinus Syndrome as a result and will likely need a pacemaker.
I had to fight to have my meds changed. Since being off a Cytomel I have gained 32 of the 117 I have dropped over the past two years. I’m pissed that they won’t listen to so many of us.
If you don’t mind me asking how much levothyroxine and cytomel were you on .
I’d like to know this too!
I’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism at 38 when I was 6 months postpartum. My hair was falling out in clumps. I was immediately put on 1.50 mg of synthroid . I am almost 50 now.. and I put myself on . 75 & . 50 alternate every other day. It’s been 11 years and I am just starting to loose the weight after doing “ The whole 30 diet” Before whole 30 I was exercising twice a day and dieting. I could not go past 155 pound for years. I am now 145. My pre-pregnancy weight was 130. And as for my hair it still falls out but not as much. And I feel great! I swear it’s what we put in our mouths. Try whole 30. It works for me!
Ive been on all 3 at certain times in my life. Now 38 yrs later I take synthroid AND Armour
AND feel the best. They say the levo being a generic the amount of T4 amount in the pills could vary from batch to batch not keeping your hormones levels level from month to month. Thats from my Endros mouth!
Your dose is to high when you have those , maybe time to find a new endocrinologist
My son had Graves’ disease and had to have his thyroid surgically removed about 15 years ago. He is on generic synthyrod and feels awful. No energy, gained weight, hair loss . He has all kinds of anxiety problems. Overall he feels lousy. What can he do.
Maritha Pretorius says
September 6, 2019 at 9:37 pm
I also have the same problem. Had Graves’ disease 19 years ago. Can’t seem to lose weight and have a lot of problems with anxiety and muscles.
Would really like somebody to help me! The drs doesn’t seem to understand my problem.
In South Africa there are no NDT’s at all. So we do not even have that option
I also have the same problem. Had Graves’ disease 19 years ago. Can’t seem to lose weight and have a lot of problems with anxiety and muscles.
Would really like somebody to help me! The drs doesn’t seem to understand my problem.
i am from south africa.. and use two difrent meds.. cos one doesnt seem to do it.. tho medical aids dont pay for both cos they see them as the same.. they do have something the other doesnt have.. so u need to find a doc thats willing to help.. cos not all go the extra mile..
Hi, I have been on synthroid for 25 year, I am 47 years old. For ten years i was on 100mg then as I started to get older, my levels got to 5-6, I function better on the lower end, which now I am on 150mg., I started getting heart palpation’s, shortness of breath, increasing weight gain, more thinning of my hair, foot pain. My older symptoms are heat/cold fluctuation, fatigue, brain fog. I have been interested in other options, especially adding T3 medication. This a very good article.
Same symptoms for me!
I go to an Endo Dr and take my mom there also. They say I have Hoshimotos also. I don’t know how they knew that as I was told of no specific test. I am in afib have had to failed surgeries to try and correct that but am in 100% of the time. I have been hospitalized with my thyroid range over the top in what I call hard afib out of control twice put back on same dose of levothyroxine in Sept. and back in hospital in February with same issue same for my mother. Thyroid contributes to afib and they can’t figure it out so mask the issue with what big pharma has and no one gets really better😡 I’m sick of doctors and pharma! I wish I could see a Naturalist Dr. but can’t afford it.
I did see a naturist doctor but no good results, lots of expensive natural supplements. I’m on Levothyroxine and have been for many years. It does nothing to help reduce my symptoms. The supplements were useless as well. The doc died shortly after i saw him of Cancer.
I have been on synthroid for probably 20 years. It seems every year or two my T s h gets out of whack and my dose is adjusted up or down. 5 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a double mastectomy 3 years ago with diep flap reconstruction . Last December my T S H was over 8 so Dr. Raised my synthroid to112. I was just tested again last week and now my number is 11.9. Dr. Wants to raise synthroid to 125. I have many hypothyroid symptoms like trouble swallowing, thinning hair, eyebrows that have gotten less wide and fingernails that have ridgesans split easily and disturbing brain fog. I just want to feel normal again
I have been on levothyroxine for more than 10yrs. I have been for the last five yrs having headaches and feeling fatigue and always in a brain fog and my hair has been thinning and been trying for yrs to lose weight . I have been telling the doctors my symptoms and they do blood work and it comes back normal levels. I am almost 50yrs old and tired of telling doctors that don’t listen or don’t know much about thyriodism. What can I do to get the doctor to change my thyroid medicine. I am tired of feeling lousy.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about a year and a half ago and put on levothyroxine. My levels are in the normal range now, but I still feel “lousy.” I have lung insufficiency, but sometimes feel fine, and sometimes feel awful. As a child, I had undiagnosed sciatica, and my spine is a tangled mess. Doctor’s blame my breathing problems on the compression caused by spinal issues. I have been told that surgery is not a viable option because of age bone problems, etc. I have also been diagnosed with slight COPD, cataplexy and narcolepsy, osteoarthritis, kyphosis, along with various and sundry other ailments. I have tried to convince my doctor to adjust my levothyroxine dosage, but he thinks my levels are right in the middle, and therefore just right. I am wondering if my thyroid condition could be more of an issue than my back as far as my breathing is concerned. I am 72, and a retired school teacher.
Hi Maryann, Get another medical opinion about your thyroid. Here is a list of resources that I put together to help my readers locate good thyroid doctors:
https://hypothyroidmom.com/30-online-resources-to-find-a-good-thyroid-doctor/
When I clicked on the above link it responded ….Not available anymore!
This is soooo NOT new to the 1000’s of people taking Armour for decades. Doctors have been PROGRAMMED to prescribe synthetics to their patients. What do they think was available at the turn if the 20th century? Pig thyroid. Armour. My aunt’s thyroid stopped working in 1936. It runs in my family. She was put on Armour. I’ve been on it for 32 years. I take 150 mg. If you still don’t feel good, then start taking ionic (liquid) magnesium & vitamin D3 & see if that helps. Some people need more, 180 mg., 3 grains. Make sure your doctor is not just taking a TSH test, but also FT3 & a FT4 tests. The on their range, it should be toward the higher side to be optimal. Do not settle for acdoctor who will not subscribe Armour or another like Nature throid or WP Thyroid.
Hi Vivian, I had thyroid cancer 18 years ago. Doctors put me on Synthroid and years then added Cytomel. But I still was feeling good . Cold hands and feet all the time. So I see another doctor and he put o Armour about 4 months ago. I feel better and no cold hands and feet . When to my regular dr. She was upset that I was on Armour . So I’m looking for help on the Armour vs. Synthyroid.Thank you
Im 0n levo since 2004, d0c says levo is the only medicine, i just read armour through comments, maybe its n0t yet available here in philippines, i hate this brain fog. I want to check with a good doct0r who will understand my sympt0ms but the nearest endocrin0l0gist is 5 hours away fr0m h0me and it takes 2 m0nths to have an app0intment. I have t0 wait for a l0ng time
Hi I currently take 120 mg of armour! I am still fatigued, dry skin, freezing all the time, cold hands and feet, hair was falling out! Low sex drive! I’ve been on Armour for about two years now, I was holding my own weight but I can tell now that if I don’t watch out it will creep up, and I’ve had gastric bypass! So that throws a bunch more issues in there also… Go to Endo about three months but feel like she doesn’t listen and where I live they are not a hot commodity! It’s rough because I’m 47 so seems like everything is going to pot right now!!!
I had aHysterectomy three years ago still have ovaries within three months after gained 60 pounds was told that was normal well 2016 diagnosed with hashimotos under active thyroid and 2cm nodule left side neck not cancerous put on levothyroxine 88mcg lab work says normal range, also in Menopause feel tired cant think straight have blurry vision swelling of face andhands ankles tired all the time was and try to still be active eat healthy just keep gainig weight feeling horrible all the time also abdomen swollen but was told this is all normal . help any answers what to do
Funny I have much of the same story and just found out through a lot of research that although my blood work comes back normal levothyroxine is not what I should be talking as it has fillers in it the synthroid doesn’t have and is not effective for my other symptoms. I have unexplained weight gain over the past coupe of years since switching from the synthroid hair loss fatigue etc.. just asked my Dr to switch me back
Oh and lately my eyesight gets blurry
I have had hypothyroidism for about 14 years and until the last 6-8 months(all these years it has been up and down up and down) it never been regulated BUT my problem is I still feel like poop!!! I take levothyroxine 125 M-F and 137 Saturday and Sunday. My legs hurt all the time… I am always struggling with constant fatigue… screwed up periods… can’t lose weight… dry skin and hair and my list goes on and on. Rhroygh all of this my levels are normal… Tsh 1.730, t3 116, t4 9.3 – all are normal!!!! HELP! How do I feel better
Good Morning I have problems with my medicine my doctor keep change my medicine he say that the one that work on our brains is not working to good but when I was take the cymote I was fine my weight goes up and down I need my life back to just tried I wish nobody this problem
i have thyroid from around 1.5 years.. my tsh level was 9.7 at time of my 1 st report.. i started taking ayurvedic medcine Shatavri compound.. which is the mixture of ashwgandha n shatavri.. ashwagandha works like magic..on all women problems.. within 3 months of taking these tablets.. my tsh level came down to 6.2 .. my dr. got shocked.. as no1 got this kind of results in thyroid in short span.. do try these tab along with ur prescribed tab. as ayurveda never gives any side effects..
also i lost weight.. no muscel pain… lazyness… no dry skin.. my skin texture improved. regular periods.. n ashwagandha is also known used for longer youth..
Hello Bindi, I was wondering where you get this product from. I am in Australia. I have had thyroidism for over 20 years, and had half my thyroid removed. I have lost total faith in Western medicine and would prefer to use natural products. cheers Vicki.
I have a question, my endo just started me on a low dose of Levo today and has only given me one refill and I won’t see her until next week. Is this normal for a doctor to do this? I am new at this hypothyroid thing so I just wanted to know.
Try Armor Thyroid medication instead of Synthroid. I feel a lot better now that I switched. Tao to you doctor about it like I did. He/she can prescribe it just like Syncthroid and it’s actually cheaper. Good luck.
I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism for yrs. A few yrs. Back in was hospitalized with pneumonia and during test and such they found in had nodules so they did a biopsy on left which was larger to rule out cancer. I was neg. I have been on synchroid but I feel so tired all the time . Hard to keep my mind straight forgetting where I put things etc. What is wrong with me. I try to walk and watch my diet eat right but I can’t loose. I am 4’11” weight 144 to 148 fluctuates due to chronic constipation. What should I do to get my Primary Dr. To take me serious and try to check further why I am so drained of energy all the time?
I would suggest to everyone to try survival shield x-2 it is nascent iodine. It workes for me as well as selenium