Blog — T3

The thyroid gland may be small, but it plays a monumental role in maintaining your body’s health. Located in the neck and shaped like a butterfly, this endocrine powerhouse regulates everything from metabolism to mood through the hormones it produces. Yet, thyroid hormone imbalances often go unnoticed—despite affecting millions. According to the American Thyroid Association, more than 12% of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime, and up to 60% of those affected may not even know it. These disorders are frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked, often dismissed as symptoms of stress, ageing, or other common conditions....

*By Jim Paoletti, ZRT Laboratpry Many patients who produce sufficient hormone from the gland still suffer from low thyroid symptoms. Hypothyroidism is defined as: “lack of thyroid hormone production from the thyroid gland.”  When thyroid levels are not within normal ranges, many conventional treatment protocols rush into thyroid replacement therapy. Two problems exist with this approach: If the patient has normal levels of T4 and T3—but a slightly elevated TSH—they are classified as “Subclinical Hypothyroid” and continue to suffer from symptoms. If the patient has low levels of T4 and/or T3, they are given thyroid replacement therapy—even though they may produce...

To start a regimen of iodine supplementation should be based on a detailed nutritional, physical, and laboratory assessment. Once the need is established, some clinicians go straight for supraphysiologic dosing while others may implement a diet rich in sea vegetables to get the job done. How do you decide where to start? The first step is understanding the different supplement forms of iodine. Supplementation Iodine exists in several oxidative states in the body which perform vastly different actions. That said, there are a couple of forms of iodine to understand before starting to prescribe iodine. A working knowledge of these forms is...