Episode 78: Is Reverse T3 Blocking Your Thyroid Healing?
Have you been told your thyroid labs look "normal," yet you're still struggling with fatigue, brain fog, stubborn weight gain, or sluggish digestion? The problem might not be your TSH or T4—it could be Reverse T3 blocking your thyroid healing. In this episode, we explain the hidden role of Reverse T3 in slowing metabolism and preventing active T3 from doing its job.
You will learn why Reverse T3 rises, how stress, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental toxins can trigger it, and why most conventional thyroid panels miss this critical marker. High Reverse T3 can mimic hypothyroid symptoms, even when your TSH and T4 levels appear normal, leaving you feeling exhausted, foggy, and stuck in survival mode.
Most importantly, we share actionable steps to lower Reverse T3 naturally, including diet, stress management, proper testing, and functional medicine strategies to rebalance your thyroid. If you're tired of feeling unwell despite “normal” lab results, this episode is a must-listen. Take control of your thyroid health and start feeling like yourself again!
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:
[01:10] - Introduction to T3 vs Reverse T3
[03:10] - Why high Reverse T3 happens and how it affects thyroid health
[06:15] - Root causes of high Reverse T3
[13:40] - Functional medicine solutions for high Reverse T3
[15:15] - Medical approaches to addressing high Reverse T3 symptoms
[18:20] - Science-backed steps to support optimal thyroid function (practical tips you can start implementing today)
“TSH, T4, T3 look completely normal, but you’re still not feeling better. And that’s because something else is going on. High Reverse T3 is often a sign that something deeper is going on. We need to look at the root causes because simply taking more thyroid hormone is not going to fix the problem”
Essential learnings from this episode…
Reverse T3 can block active thyroid hormone (T3), leading to fatigue, brain fog, and weight gain, even if your thyroid labs appear “normal.”
Stress, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental toxins are major triggers for high Reverse T3, keeping your body in survival mode.
Simply increasing T4 medication (like levothyroxine) may worsen symptoms if Reverse T3 levels are too high. Functional testing is key.
Optimizing liver and gut health, balancing blood sugar, and managing stress can help lower Reverse T3 and restore proper thyroid function.
A full thyroid panel, including Reverse T3, Free T3, and key nutrients like selenium and zinc, is essential for understanding your thyroid health beyond just TSH and T4.
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