@FitnessMikey said in Stopped absorbing thyroxine....:
anyone know whats up with thyroxine absorbtion? still can barely raise it, something with the gut?
Here is an different approach... Not based on a higher level absorption but on balance since it can improve the conversion of the reserve hormone to the active one.
Please, don't reject the whole thing when one part is thought to be inadequate or even "stupid".
Context 1
A forumer (FM) on bioenergetics.com is trying to get thyroxine higher because when he took some T4 (first 50 mcg, afterwards 100mcg T4) it has alleviated symptoms for the most part (usual hypo symptoms, like a lack of energy, constipation). He also took some pork thyroid to raise his ft3, he said.
He thinks something impedes the conversion and is trying to find out how to deal with.
Context 2
FM comments:
"I do everything right, empty stomach, hour away from food, it was working and just stopped.
Stopped gluten now for few days but doesn't seem anything is happening yet."
When doing a thyroid panel, he found rt3 was elevated.
He was advised to improve balance between T3 and T4.
He doesn’t catch that when he decided to get T4 higher, the correlation between global improvement and continuous high level T4 doesn’t last.
I advised him to pay attention to useful nutrients for deiodinase enzymes:
“Deiodinases allow tissues to customize either enhancing or decreasing the intracellular concentration of thyroid hormone at the single-cell level and independently of plasma”.
I drew his attention to the fact that we need an adequate amount of cofactors as Zn, I, Mg I. Thyroid and deiodinase function depends on supply of some trace elements.
Taking T3 and T4 synthetic supplement improves metabolism only for a while if Dio3 isn’t performant. Dio3 is responsible for converting T4 to the inactive reverse T3 (rT3), and also for inactivating T3, meaning it can hinder the desired metabolic effects of thyroid hormone replacement.
For other readers (remind) :
T4 and T3 in Hypothyroidism:
T4 is a prohormone that is converted to the active hormone T3 in the body.
Importance of Deiodinases:
Deiodinases are enzymes that play a crucial role in regulating thyroid hormone levels. Deiodinase 1 (Dio1) and Dio2 convert T4 to T3, while Dio3 inactivates both T4 (by converting it to rT3) and T3.
Dio3's Role:
Dio3 is particularly important because it can significantly reduce the amount of active T3 available for metabolic processes. If Dio3 is overactive or malfunctioning, it can lead to lower than optimal levels of T3, even with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
=> So Dio3 is also useful to balance / correct an excess T4 when supplementing.
Impact on Metabolism:
If Dio3 is not performing its function properly, it can limit the beneficial effects of T3 supplementation on metabolism, as it may convert the administered T3 into inactive metabolites.
*) Excess T4 supplement and lack of Dio3
How to improve deiodinase enzymes to correct an excess t4 supplement
This can be achieved through dietary adjustments, targeted supplementation, and lifestyle modifications.
Se- and Zn-rich foods
Ensure adequate intake of vitamin A, vitamin E, and iodine, all of which play a role in thyroid function.
Avoidance of hidden deficiencies by blood test.
Iodine: Consider the fact that iodine is needed by other organs but has been stolen by thyroid.
Selenium: Consider the fact that deiodinase enzymes are seleno-proteins., depending on a right amount. RDA 50 mcg is not sufficient when there is a lack of other anti-oxidants (inflammation, illness, heavy metal intox). After reloading, mind excess. Too much of a good thing is bad.
Manganese: if you don’t eat nuts (30 g / 1 oz.) 2x/wk.
Consider medication adjustments: some medications can interfere with thyroid function.
NB: When Reverse T3 dominance lasts: Pay attention to reverse T3 levels, as increased reverse T3 can indicate impaired conversion and may require specific management strategies (professional follow-up).
Useful info: Trace elements and the thyroid
doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.904889 Front Endocrinol.
Excerpt:
Trace elements, such as iodine and selenium (Se), are vital to human health and play an essential role in metabolism. They are also important to thyroid metabolism and function, and correlate with thyroid autoimmunity and tumors. Other minerals such as iron (Ir), lithium (Li), copper (Co), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), cadmium (Cd), and molybdenum (Mo), may related to thyroid function and disease. Normal thyroid function depends on a variety of trace elements for thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism. These trace elements interact with each other and are in a dynamic balance.
Question to ChatGPT:
How could I make the forum user aware that there are several possibilities for enzyme deficiencies, focusing on the conversion of T3 and T4, and avoiding excessive T4 supplementation?
Note: Don't offer a complete range of nutritional and behavioral advice, but rather rely on one or two probabilities. Don't try to be thorough. Focus the research on raising awareness of the problem, with clues based on what I’ve mentioned. Thanks.
ChatGPT answers
To raise FitnessMikey’s awareness—without overwhelming him—your best approach is to gently reframe the problem he's trying to solve.
He seems focused on boosting T4 levels because he feels better temporarily, but he hasn’t grasped that high T4 is not sustainable if conversion pathways are compromised—particularly if Dio3 is dysregulated and/or cofactors are missing.
Here’s a concise, respectful way you could intervene on the forum:
“Mikey, it sounds like you’re doing all the right things to optimize T4 intake—but since your symptoms improved and then regressed, and your rT3 is elevated, it might be worth stepping back to look at why conversion to T3 isn’t holding.
You may already know this, but just in case: T4 is just the raw material. The real action happens when it’s converted to T3—unless too much of it is shunted into rT3. That often signals a bottleneck at the enzyme level (Dio1/Dio2), or overactivity of Dio3.
Sometimes it’s not about adding more T4, but about whether your system has what it needs to use it well. Even subtle shortages in selenium or zinc—both needed for deiodinase enzymes—can throw this off.
Just a thought: instead of upping T4 again, maybe test or experiment to see if those cofactor pathways are part of what’s blocking the long-term benefit.”**
This message:
• Validates his experience without disputing his logic.
• Plants a seed that more T4 isn’t always the answer.
• Points to one or two trace minerals (Se, Zn) without overloading.
• Encourages him to redirect his energy to a more productive investigation (enzyme support rather than more hormone).
Let me know if you’d like to adjust the tone—more technical or more casual.
LucH says:
Bye. I'll see later.
PS: Thyroid needs minimum 10 days to adjust the levels.
