Hormone Health Hub: Expert Insights on Testing, Balance & Better Living — slow metabolism

Discover how thyroid imbalances affect energy, metabolism, weight, and mood. Learn key symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and understand which thyroid markers help identify underlying issues for better health and wellbeing.

The UK is facing a growing obesity crisis, with two-thirds of adults and a rising number of children classified as overweight or obese. A recent UK Parliament briefing highlights alarming trends, including regional and ethnic disparities and increased risks linked to socioeconomic status. While public health strategies continue to evolve, addressing the hormonal root of weight gain may offer a more effective, personalized solution. ZRT Laboratory’s Weight Management Profile helps uncover hidden hormonal imbalances—such as elevated cortisol, low testosterone, or thyroid dysfunction—that contribute to stubborn fat gain, poor metabolism, and increased disease risk.

Reverse T3 (rT3) is one of the most misunderstood markers in thyroid testing. Often called the “hibernation hormone,” it is frequently claimed — without scientific basis — to block thyroid receptors and slow metabolism. In Part 2 of this series, Margaret Groves of ZRT Laboratory examines what the peer-reviewed literature actually says about rT3, when elevated levels are clinically meaningful, and how to interpret the T3/rT3 ratio in the context of a comprehensive thyroid assessment.