T3: A complete guide to cycling T3 and how it works

[Mr.BB]

Just fat loss. They are catabolic.

Powerfull stuff, cannot stand T3.

[hammerheart]

I was thinking about using T4, have tried it just as an experiment a couple of times, noticed that 200mcgs caused me to go from freezing with a lot of clothes on (winter time) to using a t shirt and sweating in a couple of hours.
This only happened the first time I tried it tough, (I often have very high T4 and high TSH "naturally" on blood tests, probably influenced by AAS)

But, I don't need it for cutting really. I was thinking about the fact that it should increase protein synthesis as well as breakdown, and with a blast that includes slin it could perhaps increase anabolism and fat loss at the same time.

I am however more skeptical about T4 than T3 due to its long half life, and whether that would affect recovery.
(I've seen studies on people wrongly put on T4 for up to 20 years and they all recovered, so I'm not dreading any permanent shut down, but weeks or months of feeling bad)


But more importantly, does thyroid meds have any noticable function in regards to gaining muscle, or is it just a fat loss aid in your experience?

What are your FT4/3 levels? Total levels don't matter. Your TSH is probably on the high side due to environmental stimuli (cold climate).

Imo if your thyroid is already high is not worth it. I have been on 150mcg LT4 and it didn't affect my FT4/3 at all, that's why I use 50mcg T3 (for hypothyroism). Still I feel cold without progesterone from HCG (or Tren !).

[DocToxin8]

What are your FT4/3 levels? Total levels don't matter. Your TSH is probably on the high side due to environmental stimuli (cold climate).

Imo if your thyroid is already high is not worth it. I have been on 150mcg LT4 and it didn't affect my FT4/3 at all, that's why I use 50mcg T3 (for hypothyroism). Still I feel cold without progesterone from HCG (or Tren!).

On my last blood work just a week ago it FT4 and TSH were pretty normal.
Other times TSH have been above (just) or near the upper reference range, so have FT4. Many times FT3 were skipped, so maybe there's a conversion issue, but when it has been checked it has been within range, not
Low and not that high, I'll see if I have more blood were both were tested.

But I thought it was very strange the first time I tried T4, since I got elevated body temp with 200mcg within hours. I thought it would take
Much longer. The only couple of times I've tried it since has been at below 200mcg or split dose, and haven't noticed that effect.

But if it's only for fat loss I'm not that interested.
Maybe later.

The there's the matter of T4s long half life, I'm afraid it would cause much more prolonged "lowish" levels after quitting than T3.

[hammerheart]

It's not strange, it's like dropping a bomb on your metabolism, since there is still plenty of endogenous thyroxine/triiodothyronine circulating. Conversion occurs mainly in liver and is also regulated by feedback mechanism that adapt over time. After a couple of weeks, your system will be relying on that huge LT4 dose only and chances are you won't be experiencing the same feelings of heat as in the start. It's also possible that FT3 concentration to be lower than your physiological value, since thyroid T3 output is suppressed and excess T4 inhibits conversion. That's why I'd always recommend to use Liothyronine and not LT4. That way, your body has no chance around but to deal with excess T3.

[Cupid]

I know that this is probably an impossible question to answer....but perhaps someone can give me an educated ballpark.

Is there any approximation of increase in calories burned to T3 dosage.
Austin, what are your thoughts on this?

Lets say a person has TDEE 2500 normally without any thyroid medication.
Assuming same activity level, same everything, but with addition of T3....how much would their TDEE increase by taking a 50mcg daily dose? How about 75? How about 100?

Again I know its probably different on a case by case basis, but does anyone have an idea of what it could be?

[numbere]

I know that this is probably an impossible question to answer....but perhaps someone can give me an educated ballpark.

Is there any approximation of increase in calories burned to T3 dosage.
Austin, what are your thoughts on this?

Lets say a person has TDEE 2500 normally without any thyroid medication.
Assuming same activity level, same everything, but with addition of T3....how much would their TDEE increase by taking a 50mcg daily dose? How about 75? How about 100?

Again I know its probably different on a case by case basis, but does anyone have an idea of what it could be?

If I had to ballpark it based on my experience with t3 a 75-100mcg/d dose would increase your bmr about 10-15 percent.

I'm not sure if there is a linear relationship between amount of t3 taken and bmr increase, but I can tell you that the side effects from doses above 75-100mcg quickly become intolerable.

[jasonc06]

Hello, this is my first post here, and wanted to mentioned what is happening to me. I have been dieting for long on low calories, plus took EC stack..and my Free T3 was low, TSH was high, even though my diet was clean I had extremely high cholesterol and my testosterone low. I then took a test for Reverse T3 and noticed my Free T3 was high.

Results:

Lipid Panel

Total Cholesterol - 334 mg/dL ---High 100-199

Triglycerides - 59 mg/dL 0-149

HDL - 84 mg/dL >39

VLDL - 12 mg/dL 5-40

LDL - 238 mg/dL 0-99

Thyroid

Free T4 1.25 ng/dL 0.82 - 1.77

TSH 5.8 uIU/mL 0.45 - 4.5

Reverse T3 20.2 ng/dL 9.2 - 24.1

Free T3 1.5 pg/mL LOW 2.0 - 4.4

SHBG 55.9 nmol/L 16.5 - 55.9

Free Testosterone (Direct) 5.3 pg/mL LOW 9.3 - 26.5

Total Testosterone 471 ng/dL 348 - 1197


So to correct this, I ordered T3.. and from 1.3 before (low).. it went to mid range.. 3.4.

MY cholesterol drop 50% in one month.. but my TSH got suppressed (which I knew was going to happen). I feel so much better now.. my only problem is I read T3 gets SHBG high..which will hurt Testosterone.

One symptom I'm having is..I do have erections..normal..but sperm count and mobility is pretty low. I went to check my testosterone again to see if T3 made it worst or better.

Is there anything I can do to stop SHBG from increasing? Thanks..

I have attached my recent blood test so you can have a look at it.

[hammerheart]

Your Free T3 was extremely low from impaired metabolism due to long-standing calorie deficit. It's a body natural protection mechanism to spare energy for normal functioning. By introducing T3 you literally told your system to go f*ck itself. With the low free T you have, you are exposing yourself to potential muscle wasting. Heck, most ppl here won't touch T3 unless on a good dose of AAS.

High SHBG is also related to poor nutritional status and dieting.

What is your diet now?

The solution is to restore proper energy intake. Expecially insuling from carbs will help dial down SHBG.

A multi-vitamin/mineral is also recommended.

[kelkel]

By introducing T3 you literally told your system to go f*ck itself.

Direct and on-point.....

[jasonc06]

Your Free T3 was extremely low from impaired metabolism due to long-standing calorie deficit. It's a body natural protection mechanism to spare energy for normal functioning. By introducing T3 you literally told your system to go f*ck itself. With the low free T you have, you are exposing yourself to potential muscle wasting. Heck, most ppl here won't touch T3 unless on a good dose of AAS.

High SHBG is also related to poor nutritional status and dieting.

What is your diet now?

The solution is to restore proper energy intake. Expecially insuling from carbs will help dial down SHBG.

A multi-vitamin/mineral is also recommended.

Thanks for the comments, yes I know T3 will make me lose muscle.. but its that also true if I'm on a normal T3 range? I thought it will make me lose muscle being higher than the range.. meaning almost Hyper.

I really feel amazing, no need for pre workout anymore..full of energy..have erections.. etc.. the only problem is sperm count and mobility.. that's why I was looking for a solution to the SHBG ..

Also my low t3..could had been the cause of my low testosterone .. hopefully results come back higher..

Currently I'm eating a high amount of protein to compensate the T3.. I was considering getting TRT..but the infertility issues scares me..

[hammerheart]

Semen requires months to return to normal, the average time it requires to mature is 74 days, so you gotta be patient.

You should also consume adequate amounts of carb, that will also help with SHBG. T3 increases catabolism, at physiological levels it shouldn't be a concern as long as you meet your energy requirements (that means no more dieting). Eventually, the deiodinases performing conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3) will resume normal functioning.

Standard approach to SHBG includes Vitamin D3. With high dosages it requires some monitoring.

What is your CBC? Iron status?

[jasonc06]

Semen requires months to return to normal, the average time it requires to mature is 74 days, so you gotta be patient.

You should also consume adequate amounts of carb, that will also help with SHBG. T3 increases catabolism, at physiological levels it shouldn't be a concern as long as you meet your energy requirements (that means no more dieting). Eventually, the deiodinases performing conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3) will resume normal functioning.

Standard approach to SHBG includes Vitamin D3. With high dosages it requires some monitoring.

What is your CBC? Iron status?

Hey thanks for following up.. before using T3, I had already very high SHBG..which I suspect must be higher now that I use T3. I will check my other hormones tomorrow and also will check CBC, and Iron Panel so I can answer you question better.

By the way, do you know if high Progesterone is bad?

[hammerheart]

Hey thanks for following up.. before using T3, I had already very high SHBG..which I suspect must be higher now that I use T3. I will check my other hormones tomorrow and also will check CBC, and Iron Panel so I can answer you question better.

By the way, do you know if high Progesterone is bad?

If your protein intake from red meat is already high then probably you aren't low in Iron. Low Iron is another reason for low FT3.

High prog coupled with high cholesterol suggests the steroideogenesis pathway has a bottleneck somewhere, but can also be from stress/high cortisol condition (also elicited by calorie deficits).

SHBG too should normalize over time with proper energy intake, again, carbs will be useful there.

[jasonc06]

If your protein intake from red meat is already high then probably you aren't low in Iron. Low Iron is another reason for low FT3.

High prog coupled with high cholesterol suggests the steroideogenesis pathway has a bottleneck somewhere, but can also be from stress/high cortisol condition (also elicited by calorie deficits).

SHBG too should normalize over time with proper energy intake, again, carbs will be useful there.

Thanks, my CBC from my November results, were all normal...waiting for the test I did today to check my CBC again and Iron. Will keep you updated.

[jasonc06]

Hey its been 2-3 months since my last post..

Let me explain first my background first for those that don't know..
I had VERY High Total Cholesterol and LDL last year. My Free Testosterone was low also and Total Testosterone. My T3 was low too and Reverse T3 high.

After doing alot of research and going to many doctors, one said I was fine and only prescriped cholesterol pills. Another said I was fine again.

But the numbers were saying something else..

T3,Free,Serum
1.5 LOW
Reference Range: 2.0-4.4 pg/mL

Reverse T3, Serum
20.2 NORMAL (it says normal but it was almost going to high)
Reference Range: 9.2-24.1 ng/dL


Sex Horm Binding Glob, Serum
55.9 NORMAL (it says normal but was almost going to high)
Reference Range: 16.5-55.9 nmol/L

TSH
5.820 HIGH
Reference Range: 0.450-4.500 uIU/mL

Estradiol
30.6 NORMAL
Reference Range: 7.6-42.6 pg/mL


Testosterone, Serum
471 NORMAL (this is low if you ask me, I'm 28 years old)
Reference Range: 348-1197 ng/dL

Free Testosterone(Direct)
5.3 LOW
Reference Range: 9.3-26.5 pg/mL

Cholesterol, Total
334 HIGH
Reference Range: 100-199 mg/dL

LDL Cholesterol Calc
238 HIGH
Reference Range: 0-99 mg/dL


As you can see I was going crazy! I found a doctor and only took T3 .. my testostrone increase and Free testosterone too. My cholesterol dropped like a rock and LDL too in just 1 month. My Free T3 increase. (Tsh and T4 surpressed as expected). Problem is.. on my new test he added Estrogens and Progesterone and those are high.. and SHBG is very high (I read T3 causes this)

New Results.

DHEA-Sulfate
177.5NORMAL
Reference Range: 138.5-475.2 ug/dL

T4,Free(Direct)
0.35LOW
Reference Range: 0.82-1.77 ng/dL

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
426NORMAL
Reference Range: 31-701 ng/dL

TSH
0.016LOW

TSH
0.016 LOW
Reference Range: 0.450-4.500 uIU/mL


Progesterone
0.3 HIGH
Reference Range: 0.0-0.1 ng/mL

Estradiol
25.5 NORMAL
Reference Range: 7.6-42.6 pg/mL

Estrogens, Total
139 HIGH
Reference Range: 40-115 pg/mL

T3,Free,Serum
3.6 NORMAL
Reference Range: 2.0-4.4 pg/mL

LH
7.6 NORMAL
Reference Range: 1.7-8.6 mIU/mL

FSH
5.7 NORMAL
Reference Range: 1.5-12.4 mIU/mL

Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy
31.1NORMAL (started taking Vitamin D3 to increase this)
Reference Range: 30.0-100.0 ng/mL

Sex Horm Binding Glob, Serum
84.4 HIGH
Reference Range: 16.5-55.9 nmol/L

Total Testosterone, Serum
716 NORMAL
Reference Range: 348-1197 ng/dL

Free Testosterone(Direct)
10.4 NORMAL
Reference Range: 9.3-26.5 pg/mL

17 OH Pregnenolone, Serum, MS
347 NORMAL

Dihydrotestosterone
53 NORMAL


Any help will be very appreciate it. Maybe I should lower the T3 to get SHBG lower? But the strange thing is Estradiol is the same as before. I read this is the bad estrogen for male? But what about Estrogens and Progesterone. Too bad my doctor didn't test Estrogens before.

[Ger_1997]

I have to take 25mcg T3 and 100 T4 because of secondary Hypothyroidism.
Still suffer from 35 Celsius / 95 Fahrenheit ...
I think this disengagement is high for me because i‘m Only 5‘3/160cm.

I take test e 125mg per week TRT and 5000 I.U D3 and iodid salt per day

[Testlolblast]

Thanks, what a great information! I didn't really know about the t4 to t3 conversation ratio

[ErectionAdvisor]

Is this thread still active? How do I get proper bloodwork on T3?

I’m taking 50mcg AM, and 150mcg T4 AM as well. I get my blood drawn the next morning about 24 hours later. My FT3 and FT4 is still coming back low! My TSH is crushed though. I know my stuff is legit, it’s pharma.