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August 14, 2019

How to Lower Reverse T3 Naturally

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Elevated Reverse T3 is a common issue when struggling with thyroid disease, so let’s cover why it could be elevated and steps you can take to reverse it.

How to Lower Reverse T3 Naturally

What is Reverse T3? 

Reverse T3 is one of the three primary thyroid hormones that is made from T4. Some T4 is converted into RT3, which is an inactive form of T3. 

Because RT3 is an inactive thyroid hormone, it doesn’t regulate or stimulate production within the cells. Instead, it acts as a cellular braking system to prevent the overstimulation of excessive free T3. 

Free T3 is like the gas pedal that revs the engine up, and reverse T3 is the brake that slows things down. 

As you can see, it’s very important to get RT3 testing so you can know if your body has the right amount of energy going out to the body’s cells. 

What Causes Elevated RT3?

In general, excess cortisol and/or severe, prolonged stress (see list below) causes elevated RT3. The body creates the RT3 to keep from creating too much free T3 and going into overdrive.  

How Can You Get Tested?

RT3 testing isn’t a common test, but usually if you ask for it most doctors will order it for you. If your practitioner declines your request, you can order it yourself from True Health Labs.

What Is a Normal RT3 Level?

In general, it’s good to see RT3 below 15. The normal ratio of total T3 to RT3 should be 10-12:1. If you are below this ratio, this indicates a form of hypothyroidism, even when TSH is low. If you are above this ratio, you may need less T3 and/or more T4 in the body. 

Here Are Some Conditions That Can Cause Elevated RT3:

Chronic stress
Blood sugar imbalance
Extreme cold
Emotional, physical or biological stress
Acute injury
Surgery 
Any kind of illness 
Autoimmune disease
Inflammation
Diabetes
Aging
Low calorie dieting
Certain prescription drugs
Key nutrient deficiencies
Environmental toxins
Toxic metal exposure
Insulin resistance or blood sugar issues

How Can You Reduce RT3 Naturally? 

1. You should always first take a look at the stressors in your life (see the list above,) as this is the most common reason for elevated RT3.

2. Take steps to balance your adrenals. If there is elevated RT3, then there is most likely elevated cortisol, which means your adrenals need extra support. Click here to read 20 steps you can take to balance the adrenals and in turn reduce RT3.

3. An easy thing to do daily is to use an essential oil, such as lavender, to reduce the stress in the body. This helps reduce cortisol, which can then reduce RT3. 
A few of my other favorite oils to reduce stress are: Forgive, Frankincense, and Lavender.

4. Talk to your nutritionist about supplementation. My clients have often found Pure Radiance Vitamin C or Thorne Basic B Complex  to be helpful as these both support the adrenals, which helps reduce cortisol.

5. A nutrient-dense diet is always a good option to help reduce stress in the body and in turn reduce RT3. Click here to read about what foods are best and which ones to avoid when you have thyroid disease.

6. Only do low-impact exercise like walking, pilates, gentle yoga or stretching. High impact exercise puts strain on the adrenals, which causes additional cortisol to be produced which then raises RT3 levels.

7. Take an epsom salt bath a few times a week (or each evening, if you can). When you’re stressed, the first mineral your body burns through is magnesium (this is why so many people are magnesium deficient!). Soaking in a bath with 1 cup of epsom salts and a few drops of your favorite essential oil will help you relax and replenish your magnesium stores and reduce the stress on the body.

8. Make sleep a priority. It’s good to aim for 8-9 hours of sleep at night. If you’re having trouble sleeping, click here for some tips.

9. Take one day of rest each week. While it’s popular to “hustle”, that kind of daily mentality can lead to all sorts of health issues and will strain the adrenals. Take a day each week to rest. Turn off your phone, get outside, or just sleep all day if that’s what your body needs. It’s ok. God set the example by taking a day to rest, so I order my week that way, too.

If you’d like to learn from first steps you can take to help support your thyroid, check out my class, “3 Keys to Thyroid Hormone Balance”. It’s just 45 minutes and I promise you’ll learn something new! 

Note: The purpose of this post is to give an overview of some common root causes of reverse T3 from a holistic perspective. Due to biochemical individuality there can be many various reasons for the root causes of reverse T3. This information is not intended to take the place of your doctor’s advice.

Filed Under: Thyroid Disease, Thyroid Disease | 12 Comments

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12 Comments

  1. Peter Halvorson

    August 14, 2019 at 4:50 pm

    "Because RT3 is an inactive thyroid hormone, it doesn’t regulate or stimulate production within the cells. Instead, it acts as a cellular breaking system to prevent the over stimulation of excessive free T3. " "Free T3 is like the gas pedal that revs the engine up, and reverse T3 is the break that slows things down. " I think you mean to use the spelling brake instead of break for the slowing cellular braking and the slowing of things.
    to Peter Halvorson" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Peter Halvorson'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      August 15, 2019 at 9:07 am

      Thanks for letting me know! I fixed the error!
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
  2. Troy

    August 24, 2019 at 12:47 pm

    I dont understand why your website has uncontrolable scrolling. I have never experienced this before on any other website. Do you know what is happening? I can't read anything that fast. :)
    to Troy" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Troy'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      August 27, 2019 at 10:21 am

      It doesn't, so that must be a glitch with the browser you're on. I'd close your browser and try again.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
      • Kimberly

        December 1, 2020 at 4:53 pm

        I just get get so fed up. How do i just get my t3 and t4 normal. Im well over 2 years in and im so fed up. No problems with this site at all
        to Kimberly" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Kimberly'>Reply to this comment
        • Deliciously Organic

          December 2, 2020 at 11:59 am

          I'm so sorry you are struggling. We are all biochemically individual, so it's not as simple as saying do just "x" and the hormones will return to normal. But, there are ways to figure out what your body is needing. I recommend reading this post about hypo: https://deliciouslyorganic.net/hypothyroidism-symptoms-cause-levels-thyroid-disease/ And, this one about the root causes of thyroid disease: https://deliciouslyorganic.net/root-causes-of-thyroid-disease-or-autoimmunity/
          to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment
    • Mary

      October 23, 2019 at 4:06 pm

      Thank you for amazingly important and informative posts! Your content has already helped me in getting better sleep and understanding why my thyroid and adrenals have been underfunctioning.
      to Mary" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Mary'>Reply to this comment
  3. Janet Nemger

    June 1, 2020 at 10:29 pm

    I was experiencing trigger finger and my thumb was so painful that my doctor gave me a cortizone shot to help me deal with the pain. I was told it was probably rheumatoid arthritis. I was told I had stage three kidney failure also and my doctor wanted to send me to a specialist. I explained that I thought it was all related to my thyroid, and I was almost laughed out of the office. I tried 2 more doctors of which neither was any help. I ordered my own lab work, and found the ratio of T3/rT3 to be low. I ordered Cytomel (T3) and started taking it, and within 12 weeks every issue was resolved. My GFR was 48 and went up to 71. I've been wanting to ween off the T3, but the symptoms come back. Do you think it's possible to get off the Cytomel?
    to Janet Nemger" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Janet Nemger'>Reply to this comment
    • Barbara

      June 9, 2020 at 9:57 am

      I was interested in your comment about the GFR. I am curious as to what your age is. How do you think the thyroid affected the kidneys?
      to Barbara" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Barbara'>Reply to this comment
    • Suzanne

      July 24, 2020 at 5:51 pm

      I'm on T3 also. I tried going off it for a while and my symptoms came back. I don't see that there is anything wrong with this drug as it is the same as what our bodies produce. I feel that your symptoms would probably come back if you stopped it. If you wanted to do so I would make sure you see a good integrative doctor who actually believes in T3 thyroid Hormone. There needs to be a continuous monitoring of your thyroid levels. It is not advised to be taking this without working with a knowledgeable integrative doctor. You can find one by it looking up compounding pharmacist see in your area and ask them for doctors who prescribe this medication. There are obviously other factors involved as to why your thyroid was not working properly and was obviously hungry for some t3. Inflammation, stress, diet can all play a big part in our hormones. All the best.
      to Suzanne" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Suzanne'>Reply to this comment
  4. amroj

    April 9, 2021 at 3:15 am

    Your comment about God set the example by taking a day to rest is quite true and accurate - BUT he took the day of rest on the 7th day the Sabbath (Saturday), he just didn't pick any day to rest. SO if people would stop doing all the other things on the Sabbath and actually take a day to rest as God set the example then maybe the wouldn't have all of the problems they have. Doing all your work during the week and reting on the sabbath (Saturday) is the example God set. Taking a day to rest during the week is fine as long as ou do it on the 7th day as well.
    to amroj" aria-label='Reply to this comment to amroj'>Reply to this comment
    • Deliciously Organic

      April 12, 2021 at 12:24 pm

      I don't know of a passage in the Bible that states that if you don't take a day of rest on Saturday that God won't honor that. Some people have to work on Saturdays and so they have to take their day off on another day. God knows our hearts and if we can't Sabbath on Saturday, but still take another day off to rest, reflect, worship, etc. then I think God honors that as well.
      to Deliciously Organic" aria-label='Reply to this comment to Deliciously Organic'>Reply to this comment

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Hi, I’m Carrie Vitt, FNTP
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Through unprocessed, organic food and detox I’ve reversed Hashimoto’s disease, chronic migraines, IBS and eczema.

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