Episode 73: What’s Blocking Your T4-to-T3 Conversion?

Thyroid Health
Written By Nicole Goode
 

Have you been told your thyroid labs are normal—but you still feel exhausted, foggy, and struggle with stubborn weight gain? The problem might not be your thyroid itself, but rather a hidden issue with T4-to-T3 conversion. In this episode, we uncover what’s blocking your T4-to-T3 conversion and why this overlooked process is crucial for energy, metabolism, and brain function.

We explore the six biggest roadblocks that prevent your body from properly converting T4 into active T3, including inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, chronic stress, liver dysfunction, gut imbalances, and toxin exposure. If you’re dealing with hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, or ongoing thyroid symptoms despite medication, this episode will help you connect the dots and understand why simply taking thyroid medications isn’t always enough.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear, functional medicine roadmap to optimize your T3 levels naturally. Learn the key nutrients, lifestyle changes, and gut-healing strategies that support proper thyroid conversion so you can finally reclaim your energy, sharpen your focus, and restore your metabolism. Tune in now to uncover what’s blocking your T4-to-T3 conversion, and how to fix it!

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast and related website is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. It is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat, instead it is designed to help educate and inspire. Always seek the advice of a professional medical practitioner or qualified health practitioner. Never ignore or disregard advice given to you based on information in this podcast or related website and do not delay in seeking medical advice.

 

Timestamps:

[01:08] - T3 vs. T4: What’s the difference? 

[03:05] - The thyroid hormone pathway

[08:42] - Why T4 (inactive) must convert to T3 (active) for optimal function

[06:40] - Common roadblocks to thyroid hormone conversion

[09:16] - How to identify and address thyroid conversion issues holistically

[14:02] - Key nutrients for thyroid conversion

[16:04] - How high cortisol levels interfere with proper conversion and metabolism

[17:30] - The role of gut and liver health in thyroid function

[21:40] - Lifestyle strategies for better thyroid health

 
“Many people, especially those struggling with fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, hair loss, or even depression, have poor thyroid hormone conversion, meaning their bodies aren’t making enough T3. Without enough T3, even if your TSH and T4 levels look normal on a standard blood test, you can still experience all the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism.”
— Nicole Goode
 

Essential learnings from this episode…

  • Even if your TSH and T4 levels look normal, poor conversion of T4 into active T3 can leave you feeling exhausted, foggy, and struggling with weight gain.

  • Inflammation, nutrient deficiencies (selenium, zinc, iron, vitamin D), chronic stress, liver dysfunction, gut imbalances, and toxins can all block T4 from converting into the active thyroid hormone your body needs.

  • Many doctors only check TSH and T4, but to truly understand your thyroid function, you need free T3, reverse T3, thyroid antibodies, and nutrient panels for a complete picture.

  • 60% of T4-to-T3 conversion happens in the liver, and 20% in the gut. Your thyroid function can suffer if you have poor gut health, leaky gut, or liver dysfunction.

  • Optimize your diet with thyroid-supporting nutrients, reduce stress to balance cortisol, improve gut health, and support liver detoxification to enhance T4-to-T3 conversion.

 
 

Thank You For Tuning In

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Nicole Goode
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