Reverse T3 Test

The reverse T3 test, also known as the reverse T3/free T3 ratio, is an important measure of thyroid hormone metabolism and thyroid economy. This test is typically done at the same time as the free T3 test, and the ratio between the two can provide valuable information about the body's production and utilization of thyroid hormones. The body naturally produces reverse T3 to eliminate excess T4, but in certain situations, such as high or low cortisol levels, the body may produce too much reverse T3, which can interfere with the body's ability to use T3 and impact treatment decisions, especially during periods of caloric restriction. While this test is not routinely recommended for the evaluation of thyroid disorders, it can be helpful in certain clinical situations, such as differentiating between hypothyroidism and euthyroid sick syndrome. It is important to note that the interpretation of thyroid function tests and thyroid status can be complex and must take into consideration the patient's clinical context and other thyroid function tests, such as TSH, T3, and free T4. The results of the reverse T3 test may take up to 7 business days. The European Thyroid Association recommends monitoring thyroid function tests before the morning medications, aiming at normal TSH, FT4, FT3, and FT4/FT3 ratio (20 ) for optimal thyroid health. But there is no reason to check reverse T3 to start or change levothyroxine therapy, either by itself or with liothyronine. The best tests for these purposes are still TSH, T3, and free T4 levels. TSH measurement is crucial in evaluating thyroid function and determining the appropriate treatment for thyroid disorders.

The thyroid produces two main hormones: T4 and T3. However, a small amount of reverse T3, also known as reverse triiodothyronine, is also produced through the process of inner ring deiodination. This is often overlooked when testing thyroid hormones and it can be a mistake. Keep reading to learn more about reverse T3 and the impact of thyroid hormone, including the potential loss of iodine due to iodine deficiency, and why it is so important in diagnosing and managing thyroid disease. NOTE: Reverse T3 is analyzed using a specific technique called liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). This test measures the levels of reverse T3 and requires precise machines that can only run on two specific days a week. These machines use iodine atoms to accurately measure the levels of reverse T3 in the body. Results may take 7 business days. Finding the molecular mechanisms that cause D3 to be activated again during illness is an important field of research, highlighting the importance of measuring reverse T3 levels in patients for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Also, the fact that deiodinases keep tissue and cellular thyroid hormone levels stable, even when serum hormonal concentrations change, shows how important reverse T3 is for thyroid health.

Reverse T3: Symptoms, Causes, and Why Is It Important for Thyroid Health

As you probably know already, your thyroid gland is one of the most important organs in the body. It instructs other organs and tissues to produce hormones and exchange chemicals to keep up your metabolism and make you "work" every day.

The thyroid produces two main hormones - T4 and T3. However, a small amount of reverse T3 is also produced. This is often overlooked when testing thyroid hormones and it can be a mistake. Keep reading to learn more about reverse T3 and why it is so important.

What is Reverse T3?

Reverse T3 (rT3) is an inactive form of T3. Your body produces it as a way to eliminate excess T4. T3 should usually be twenty times more than reverse T3. However, in some circumstances, the body converts too much T4 into rT3 instead of free T3.

This is when a patient starts to experience thyroid problems and their associated symptoms. The patient might have subclinical hypothyroidism because there isn't enough T3 produced (because rT3 replaces it). This means that the thyroid doesn't produce enough healthy hormones to make your body function correctly.

Knowing your RT3 number is important for a variety of reasons. For example, your thyroid might produce an adequate quantity of T4, but a lot of it is converted to rT3 instead of free T3. If you go to a doctor for a thyroid test, like a blood test for reverse T3, he might diagnose this condition as hypothyroidism. Understanding your test results, including tissue concentrations of T3, is crucial in determining the best course of action for your thyroid health.

The next step would be to prescribe thyroid medicines that usually increase the production of T4. This will not help you, as more rT3 will be produced as a result, instead of free T3. By testing your rT3 and establishing the reverse T3/free T3 ratio, your doctor can detect the real problem that might affect your thyroid gland and the balance of your hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis.

What Is the Normal Range of Reverse T3?

According to LabCorp, the normal range of rT3 in the body for adults should be between 9 and 24 ng/dL of blood. Anything higher than that means that your body is converting more T4 into rT3 instead of free T3, which is the active thyroid hormone.

When this happens, a patient will eventually develop the classical symptoms of hypothyroidism. That's because less T3 is produced and this will have an effect on health and wellbeing. rT3 competes with free T3 for receptors in the body.

What Are the Symptoms of Having Too Much rT3?

The good thing is that your body will let you know that the thyroid hormones are not balanced out. Here are some of the most common signs of having high levels of rT3. These symptoms are relatively similar to those found in patients with diagnosed hypothyroidism.

• Excessive fatigue, even after a good night's sleep
• Unexplained weight gain
• Anxiety and depression
• Slowed-down heart rate
• Sensitivity to cold
• Dry skin and hair
• Muscle aches and cramps
• Joint pain

In many cases, you might have these symptoms for years before you finally find out that your thyroid is not functioning properly. Some of these symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, and irregular menstrual cycles. To understand the underlying causes of these symptoms and determine whether they are due to conditions like Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, thyroid nodules, goiter, thyroid cancer, nonthyroidal illnesses, or other thyroid dysfunction, it is crucial to undergo thorough testing, including an rT3 test and other laboratory tests. Thyroid hormones, specifically thyroid hormone levels, are very complex, and proper testing from the Division of Endocrinology is crucial in identifying and treating any issues.

What Are the Causes of Excessive rT3?

Doctors and medical scientists have found ways to discover why your body is converting too much T4 into rT3 instead of T3. Some health conditions facilitate this conversion and can lead to a buildup of rT3 over time.

Here are some of the most common causes of having too much rT3 in your body.

• Chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and fibromyalgia
• Eating disorders such as anorexia and eating low-calorie diets
• Autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's disease, lupus, and others
• Excessive mental/emotional stress
• Extreme training programs, including heavy weightlifting and running marathons
• Taking certain drugs, such as antidepressants, beta-blockers, and others

These conditions might be the reason why your thyroid is producing too much rT3 instead of free T3. One possible cause is euthyroid sick syndrome, where the levels of rT3 increase due to decreased clearance and production staying the same. It's important to run an rT3 test and then talk to your doctor to rule out these health issues one by one, including any potential re-expression of rT3 in adult tissues. In some cases, just a personal problem such as a divorce or the loss of a loved one can spike your serum levels of rT3, particularly in sick patients, including those in intensive care units, due to critical illness. Another factor to consider is the thyroid hormone economy, as severe nonthyroidal diseases can cause alterations in the production and clearance of thyroid hormones, leading to an imbalance of rT3 and free T3 levels. Additionally, a retrospective study has shown that variations in rT3 levels may be associated with a variety of thyroid states, highlighting the importance of monitoring and testing for this hormone.

What Are the Treatment Options for Elevated rT3?

If indeed your thyroid is producing too much rT3 instead of free T3, you need to look at various treatment options to restore its normal function. For example, iodine is a supplement that helps with the conversion of T4 into free T3.

Another important supplement is selenium. Your thyroid requires a decent quantity of selenium to produce hormones the right way. You might want to supplement with this mineral, following your doctor's recommendations.

Zinc is another supplement that can help restore your thyroid's natural function. Supplementing with zinc on a regular basis might make your thyroid switch back to converting more T4 into T3 instead of reverse T3.

At the same time, certain compounds, such as bioidentical T3, can be taken to replenish your stores of free T3 and flush out excess rT3 from your system. Once you get rid of the reverse T3, a process that could take a few months, your hypothyroidism might also cure itself naturally in an outpatient setting. This is especially true for hypothyroid patients dealing with chronic inflammation such as autoimmune disease, infections, or metabolic syndrome, all of which can impact the immune system. Treatment options for elevated rT3 and TSH levels, including addressing unsubstantiated claims, are crucial for critically ill patients, and we treat many patients like this in the clinic. One study published in the N Engl J Med found that high doses of biotin showed promise in treating chronic progressive multiple sclerosis.

Order Your Reverse T3 Test Today!

As you can see, testing your reverse T3 is important because this often-overlooked substance might be the culprit of your constant fatigue and/or depression. Most conventional doctors don't always take rT3 into account, but now you know you shouldn't make this mistake.

At the same time, it's recommended to test your free T3 and T4 levels together with rT3 to get the whole picture. Your thyroid is a complex organ and you need to look at it from various angles to determine exactly why it's not producing hormones correctly.

Go to DiscountedLabs.com today and get your reverse T3 test to learn more about your thyroid and your body in general!. 

 

Citations

1. Understanding the Complexity of Lab Tests
2. Thyroid Hormone Conversion and Its Implications
3. Interpreting Your Blood Test Results: Reverse T3 Serum
4. Advances in Thyroid Hormone Research
5. What's the Deal with Reverse T3?
6. Symptoms of High Reverse T3 You Need to Know About
7. Reverse T3 and Its Role in Thyroid Health and Dysfunction
8. The Significance of Reverse T3 in Thyroid Function
9. A Deep Dive into Reverse T3
10. What is the Reverse T3 Syndrome?
11. Understanding Reverse T3 Thyroid Dysfunction
12. Women's Health: Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia
13. What Does a High Reverse T3 Mean?
14. Understanding Reverse T3 and Thyroid Function
15. Reverse Triiodothyronine: A Neuroscientific Perspective
16. Reverse T3 Thyroid Hormone Overview