How to Increase T3 Conversion? | PYHP 055

In this episode, we answer a reader question about her low T3. Kelli’s case is a bit complicated, but it sheds light on how important it is to address low T3 levels.  We get this question all the time about the thyroid hormone, T3. Many will say, ‘my free T3 levels are low, but my doctor will not do anything about it’. We wanted to talk about low T3 and how there are many factors that can cause a low T3.  Also on ways to increase your T3 conversion as well as some medications for low T3. We are also going to touch on autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s, Type I diabetes and Celiac disease. Question from Kelli: My thyroid labs are all within the normal range, but I FEEL so depleted. My free t3 has never tested above 2.3. I have T1D and Celiac disease already. I know my body is prone to be difficult and function lower on some levels than most. How can I fix my free t3 if it is low and if the doctor says it’s not “treatable low.” One of our most popular blog posts is, ‘Low T3 levels”.  This partly why we wanted to talk about Kelli’s concerns about her autoimmune diseases and her low T3.  Kelli is one of a common predicament that we see all the time. Having low levels of FreeT3 but her doctor says it’s not treatable or just ignores it.  Low T3 levels are very much treatable and should not be blown off. We really like Kelli’s questions because she also has Type One Diabetes (T1D) and Celiac disease.   T1D is considered an autoimmune disease and shouldn’t be confused with Type Two Diabetes.  T1D is where the immune system will attack the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. So the pancreas cannot release insulin in response to elevated levels of blood sugar.  Type One Diabetes is considered, insulin-dependent and most likely diagnosed before the age of 20. Kelli also has Celiac disease which is an intolerance to gluten.  In the small intestines, there are little finger-like projections called microvilli which is what absorbs what we have eaten.  Think of it as a long carpet/rug. You then squish up the rug together, so there are many undulations. This increases the surface area tremendously, and then there is more area to absorb nutrients.  In celiac, because of the immune reaction to gluten will cause terrible damage to the microvilli. Causing the villi to erode consequently causing many symptoms including malabsorption and malnutrition. If Kelli has T1D and Celiac and Low T3 levels she very well may have Hashimoto’s. Hashimoto’s is a condition where the immune system creates antibodies attacking the thyroid and eventually causing lowered thyroid function. Hashimoto’s can be similar to celiac.  There is a sensitivity to gluten in Hashimotos that patients do much better on a gluten-free diet. Hashimoto’s is similar to celiac bc gluten needs to be eliminated to reduce the Hashimoto immune response.   Let’s back up a bit and explain about thyroid.  The thyroid gland secretes mainly T4. T4 will travel in the bloodstream and convert to T3.  Free T3 is the active form of thyroid. Even if you have perfect levels of T4 but low T3, then you could have symptoms of low T3.   Doctors really don’t know what to do if the T3 levels are low.  A lot