Euthyroid Sick Syndrome, Low T3 & “Normal Thyroid Labs” Explained

Euthyroid Sick Syndrome, Low T3 & “Normal Thyroid Labs” Explained

Euthyroid sick syndrome is a series of lab abnormalities seen in certain people with an acute or chronic illness. 

Understanding this condition can help explain why so many thyroid patients are unhappy with their current treatment and help us (Doctors and patients) change how we evaluate thyroid treatment. 

In this guide you will learn what ESS is, how it presents, what causes it, and if you should be treated if you have this condition

What is Euthyroid Sick Syndrome?

If you have thyroid disease there’s a good chance you may not even be familiar with the term euthyroid sick syndrome. 

But this syndrome is actually incredibly important because the physiology involved in this disorder can shed light on why our current thyroid treatment paradigm is lacking. 

Euthyroid sick syndrome (abbreviated ESS for purposes of this article) is a series of lab abnormalities that is observed in people who are sick or ill or in those who are undergoing surgery or fasting (starvation, etc.) (1).

This condition is also referred to as nonthyroidal illness syndrome or NTIS for short. 

But the name can be somewhat confusing so let’s unpack it to better understand the definition. 

Euthyroid is a term used to describe a state of normal thyroid function in the body. 

pathogenesis of euthyroid sick syndrome

‘Sick’ refers to a condition that the patient is under and ‘syndrome’ is simply a word to describe a medical state. 

So euthyroid sick syndrome can be re-stated as normal thyroid function seen in sick patients. 

It is very clear, and MOST (if not all) doctors should be aware of this, that illness results in very specific changes to thyroid function that can be seen during routine blood tests. 

Patients with euthyroid sick syndrome present with very specific lab tests which have been classified as the following: 

It is very clear that illness and chronic medical conditions result in these changes to thyroid function which dramatically alter the amount of free circulating thyroid hormone in the body. 

This is the primary reason that Doctors do not order routine thyroid tests on patients who are admitted to the hospital. 

The idea behind this condition is that there is some altered state of thyroid function that occurs due to illness. 

Our current understanding of this condition is that it represents a state of “normal thyroid function” even though your lab tests are abnormal. 

It is believed that changes, due to illness, negatively impact the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in such a way that suppresses TRH and TSH production leading to reduced stimulation of the thyroid gland and thus low circulating free thyroid hormones (2).

It’s also probable that illness alters thyroid hormone binding levels in the serum, thyroid hormone metabolism, and the uptake of thyroid hormone by specific tissues. 

These concepts are incontrovertible, meaning they are not disputed by those who understand scientific literature (3).

After all, we are simply talking about physiology here. 

This begs the question though:

Is it possible to have euthyroid sick syndrome-like changes in those who suffer from CHRONIC medical conditions

And do those changes affect thyroid function negatively to the point that they warrant treatment

DOWNLOAD FREE RESOURCES

Foods to Avoid if you Have Thyroid Problems:

I’ve found that these 10 foods cause the most problems for thyroid patients. Learn which foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease of any type.

DOWNLOAD NOW

The Complete List of Thyroid Lab tests:

The list includes optimal ranges, normal ranges, and the complete list of tests you need to diagnose and manage thyroid disease correctly!

DOWNLOAD NOW

Does ESS Cause Symptoms?

Because ESS is considered a state of “normal thyroid function” you actually wouldn’t expect people to have symptoms associated with thyroid disease if they also have ESS. 

This may make sense in the acute setting, but it may fall apart in the chronic setting. 

If you are a patient admitted to the hospital with sepsis or some other critical illness, it may not be easy to identify the cause of your fatigue or lack of energy. 

Your symptoms could easily be attributed to your acute illness. 

But in the chronic setting, we see something different entirely. 

Abnormal serum levels of thyroid lab tests are often found among people with chronic medical conditions or those who have recently undergone weight loss diets (4).

Some of these lab abnormalities may also be associated with abnormal hypothyroid-esque symptoms. 

If you have low T3, low T4, or high reverse T3 then you may experience some of the following symptoms: 

  • Weight gain
  • Cold intolerance
  • Pain
  • Hair loss
  • Cold body temperature
  • Slow heart rate
  • Menstrual problems
  • Fatigue or low-energy

Again, it’s important to realize that not all people with ESS will experience any symptoms. 

But it’s equally important to understand that some people may experience hypothyroid symptoms and it is these people that may require treatment (more on that below)

What causes Chronic Changes to Thyroid Function? 

Why does your body have a mechanism built-in to blunt thyroid function under certain circumstances?

The answer is not clear, but a few theories have emerged. 

One such theory would be that, in an attempt to conserve energy, your body temporarily blunts 

This makes sense in acute illness. 

Why would your body want to put power and energy into growing your hair, maintaining the quality of your skin, and so on, if you are currently critically ill and about to die? 

Wouldn’t it make more sense to put energy into bolstering your immune system (if you are suffering from an infection), improving cardiac output (if you are suffering from heart issues), or putting energy into healing after surgery (if you are suffering from a wound or trauma)?

Your body is much smarter than you probably realize and it does all of these things without you even thinking about it. 

In response to illness, your body sends signals to the peripheral tissues to reduce the conversion of thyroid hormone into the active T3 thyroid hormone. 

This results in normal to high levels of T4, low levels of T3, and high levels of reverse T3 (5).

This allows your body to titrate how it is expending energy, where energy expenditure should go and probably helps the body to heal. 

All of this information makes a lot of sense if we are talking about a critically ill patient, someone who is in the hospital with a serious problem, but what about patients who are “at home” but still chronically ill?

Is it possible that patients who have multiple illnesses may suffer from a similar set of problems as those people who are critically ill, but perhaps on a different scale or intensity?

This is exactly what I believe is going on in many patients. 

Consider this example:

What if you are a middle-aged (40-50) female who is 50 pounds overweight?

join 80,000 other thyroid patients who have used dr. westin childs' thyroid support supplements.

Maybe you also have prediabetes (6), high cholesterol, slight inflammation in your body, and thyroid disease (7).

Is it possible that these metabolic abnormalities are putting strain on the body?

Perhaps enough strain to result in changes in thyroid function and thyroid conversion as your body attempts to fix the many problems you are facing?

While there are MANY reasons that you may have thyroid dysfunction, I believe that one of the most underappreciated conditions that some patients suffer from is low T3 syndrome caused by a chronic ESS-like state

This type of syndrome will often be ignored or misdiagnosed by physicians because it doesn’t fit the current template of thyroid disease. 

Low T3 vs. Euthyroid Sick Syndrome

Low T3 syndrome is a state of thyroid disease that is becoming more and more common. 

You can think of low T3 as a subset of thyroid disorders that falls within the classification of euthyroid sick syndrome. 

The same issues that cause ESS probably cause low T3, but each person may present with slightly different lab studies. 

If we took 10 people and put them under extreme stress we might find that 4 out of the 10 people develop very low T3 levels while 4 out of the 10 people develop both low T3 and low T4

In this way, they are probably variations of the same condition but altered by genetic factors at the individual level. 

In this disease state, the body has difficulty either producing T3 or converting T3 from the substrate T4 (8).

The problem with this condition is that it’s felt to be caused by factors unrelated to thyroid control (such as suppression of the pituitary gland). 

Because of these changes, it is felt that low T3 syndrome is not primarily a thyroid disease. 

And while this is true, it doesn’t mean that the person suffering from the condition will get the help they need. 

If your low T3 is caused by inflammation (9), gut dysfunction (10), or nutrient deficiencies, then the only way that it will go away is if you address those problems. 

But when was the last time that your Doctor asked you about any of these? 

Should it be Treated?

Our current understanding of ESS is that patients with this condition should NOT be treated by thyroid hormone. 

Studies have shown that giving patients T4 thyroid medications, even those who are critically ill, shows no benefit. 

Other studies have shown, however, that the temporary use of T3-containing medications (such as liothyronine or Cytomel) may have some benefits in certain patients. 

It is clear that low circulating levels of T3 thyroid hormone will have detrimental effects on overall health (11).

In the acute setting, the answer is more clear. 

Treatment will probably not yield better results (12).

But what about in the chronic setting?

What about the person who has low T3 and who is ALSO experiencing hypothyroid symptoms?

This is probably the person who WILL benefit from thyroid hormone replacement (with T3-containing medications). 

Euthyroid sick syndrome is said to be a state of euthyroidism (meaning normal thyroid function) but this name may be a misnomer under certain conditions (13).

It’s entirely possible that in some situations the thyroid lab abnormalities seen in ESS represent normal physiologic changes due to acute illness. 

But it’s also possible that chronic suppression of thyroid function, such as seen with chronic medical conditions, may be a pathologic state which would benefit from thyroid hormone treatment. 

So should you be treated if you have low T3 syndrome or euthyroid sick syndrome?

The answer probably depends on the degree of thyroid lab abnormalities that you are experiencing AND if you are also experiencing symptoms associated with your disease. 

In patients who have hypothyroid symptoms (such as weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, constipation, and so on) and low T3, low T4, and high reverse T3, thyroid hormone replacement therapy may be beneficial or even necessary. 

Whenever possible, your goal should be to treat underlying dysfunction which may cause the abnormal lab results, but in some cases, this may not be possible

For those who fall into this category, supplementation with T3 medication such as liothyronine or Cytomel may be very helpful. 

The changes we’ve discussed here may explain why studies do show that very specific people have a robust response to T3 medication while experiencing no benefit when using T4 medication. 

Final Thoughts

It appears that our current understanding of thyroid function and physiology has some room to grow. 

By understanding what happens in euthyroid sick syndrome and in acute illness, we can better understand chronic illness and thyroid hormone dysfunction among patients who are suffering. 

There is a large sub-group of the population with thyroid disease who experience the symptoms of hypothyroidism but still remain untreated due to a normal TSH

This population of people may be suffering from a chronic form of ESS, one which may be dramatically improved with the right treatment. 

I remain convinced that this type of information will become more common over the coming years and patients will have much better outcomes as we expand beyond the current thyroid treatment paradigm

Now I want to hear from you:

Do you have low T3 syndrome or do you suspect you have euthyroid sick syndrome?

Have you been able to get treatment or find relief with any other therapies?

What has worked for you? What hasn’t?

Leave your comments below! 

Scientific References

#1. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/82/2/329/2823087

#2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4979220/

#3. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/82/2/329/2823087

#4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3887425/

#5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8808092

#6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5043536/

#7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5471726/

#8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4590373/

#9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27051079

#10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20351569

#11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4772089/

#12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19007679

#13. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/82/2/329/2823087

euthyroid sick syndrome why your thyroid lab tests look normal

picture of westin childs D.O. standing

About Dr. Westin Childs

Hey! I'm Westin Childs D.O. (former Osteopathic Physician). I don't practice medicine anymore and instead specialize in helping people like YOU who have thyroid problems, hormone imbalances, and weight loss resistance. I love to write and share what I've learned over the years. I also happen to formulate the best supplements on the market (well, at least in my opinion!) and I'm proud to say that over 80,000+ people have used them over the last 7 years. You can read more about my own personal health journey and why I am so passionate about what I do.

P.S. Here are 4 ways you can get more help right now:

#1. Get my free thyroid downloads, resources, and PDFs here.

#2. Need better symptom control? Check out my thyroid supplements.

#3. Sign up to receive 20% off your first order.

#4. Follow me on Youtube, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram for up-to-date thyroid tips, tricks, videos, and more.

31 thoughts on “Euthyroid Sick Syndrome, Low T3 & “Normal Thyroid Labs” Explained”

  1. Dr.Childs
    I had thyroidectomy 16 months ago and have had nothing but constant hideous pains mainly in my Feet,Ankles and knees. I do have off and on pains in one shoulder, upper back and hips but they are random. I do have a life long Autoimmune disease and my Endo keep insisting I’m hyper based on blood test FT4, FT3 (fall in the lab ranges) TSH (low due to thyroid cancer) my Reverse T3 was 19. I feel ok not great but ok and I refuse for them to reduce my synthyroid and cytomel, I’m currently on 100mcg synthyroid and 15mcg Cytomel.

    Can you tell me why endo insist I’m hyper when I have not one single symptom and Im pretty sure I know hyper since I had severe episodes of hyper before thyroidectomy. Sorry so long…grace

    Reply
  2. Hey Dr. Childs, I’m the bulimic guy who’s asked you a bunch of questions over the last year. At one point, an ND dx’d me with ESS but I was a little hesitant to accept it due to the fact that my reverse T3 was actually low. I had low T3, T4 at the very bottom of the range, normal TSH at that point. Can you have ESS with low RT3? At some point, I started taking Cytomel 50 mcg daily because the hypo symptoms were so bad and I was gaining weight. The T3 helped me stop gaining weight but not return to my baseline. When I went off (to see what would happen), my T3 dropped far below the range, T4 was low, and TSH was high at 5. Interestingly, despite low T3 for years (and symptoms), my TSH had always been normal. I’m back on T3 because I quickly put weight back on and felt terrible. I’m ready to give up caring anyway as nothing I have tried has helped me escape the beast (bulimia). Somewhat relatedly, I did an OAT recently and I seem to have significant clostridia overgrowth among a few other odd results. Any thoughts on the big picture?

    Reply
  3. Hi Dr Childs,

    I have been off and on phentermine for at least 12 years. I am only 25-30lbs overweight. The first time I lost 30 lbs in 2-3 months. As soon as I stopped taking it the weight came back. Fast forward over the 12 years and I’ve been off and on at least 5 times only to lose 6-8lbs each time and cannot lose more no matter how long I stay on it. I also tried HCG with the same initial 6-8lb loss then no more. I have elevated TSH (but “within normal range”) low T4, low T3 and high reverse T3. I am currently taking no thyroid meds. I have been searching for a good thyroid doctor for eight years. I have seen 16 different physicians to no avail. I cannot find anyone who will treat my thyroid with anything but synthroid. I have given up with conventional medicine at this point and I AM A NURSE!!
    I believe my only choice is to heal myself with supplementation and maybe NDT I can obtain from Europe. What are your suggestions for supplements? I’m certain I have destroyed my metabolism with years of calorie restriction from the phentermine and HCG diets.

    Reply
    • Hi Suzanne,

      You can look into supplements which help improve thyroid function and treat leptin resistance as a starting point.

      Reply
  4. I was certain you would say thyroid resistance or insulin resistance. I didn’t expect leptin resistance. I am NEVER hungry. My stomach literally never growls or gives me “hunger pains”.

    Reply
  5. Hi Dr Childs. I am finding your website so informative! I have really increased my understanding of all things thyroid.

    But quick question . What thyroid issue is involved with low TSH (.11), low t3, low t4 and reverse t3 of 12? I currently have post concussion syndrome, but with these low thyroid values I am almost comatose and have been or on medical leave. But because my TSH is low, my doc won’t address my other lab values and redo my throat needs. I currently take 1.5 grains armour.
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Hi Julie,

      Some people are very sensitive to the T3 in NDT which may suppress TSH more than would be considered “normal” without properly increasing free thyroid hormone levels.

      Reply
      • I’m a male 55 my testosterone is at 235 Estradiol-Sensitive is at 12, T3-Uptake is 38. Hard to swallow food , out of character. High blood pressure fast heart beat. Server neuropathy , osteoarthritis 85% of my cartilage is gone, hepatitis c and severe sciatic issues one leg is more than the other please get dumb toes getting numb

        Reply
  6. Hi, please have no insurance so I want to make the essential tests first. Been diagnosed with hashimotos by the antibodies blood test. Not on any medication but never had reverse 3 tested or adrenals. Dr wants me to do the poop test first. Do you think reverse 3 test first would be best as the mornings are hell, high agitation which lasts many hours what do you think?

    Reply
    • Hi Karen,

      The two best tests for evaluating your thyroid are probably Free T3 and reverse T3 or the free T3:rT3 ratio. That’s probably the best place to start if you are on a budget.

      Reply
  7. Early 20s, (TSH = 1.4 mIU/L) (total t3 = 82 ng/dL) and (Thyroxine-T4 = 3.8 ug/dL).T3 and T4 are a bit low, but with a normal TSH. Is this odd to see without chronic illness and when obesity is not a factor?

    If experiencing fatigue, brain fog, lethargy, and many other symptoms from your checklist… Should one seek thyroid treatment?

    Reply
  8. I’m currently going through this. Was blessed to have got a doctor at a walk in urgent care clinic to listen to me about not converting t4 to t3. His reply was, well we’ve got to try something or you’ll die! My face swelling and eye6was hugh plus not being able to use my hand and wrists due to pain and swelling which my Thyroid dr. passed off as RA. The first week after being on t3 only was great and had functioning hands and wrists and energy again, but then the second week pain and swelling and no energy! I hope he will consider uppering the t3 and that will help. I’m sick of going through this crippling inflammation!

    Reply
  9. I am 61 years old……I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and was taking levothyroxine and doing okay. Then after being diagnosed with Euthyoid sick Syndrome, liothyronine was added. I took it for about 3 years. It was hard to keep my levels normal and would have to lowered and increased as needed. I never felt much better after starting it. I was having severe heart palpitations, depression, sluggishness.. …..so I asked to be taken off the liothyronine. I did feel better for a while but started feeling sluggish, depressed and anxious. I started taking an adrenal supplement. Felt MUCH BETTER. Now I purchased your thyroid reset and ARC II to try but am wondering if that’s what I need. I thought about also getting the leptin supplement you have. I notice my weight went up about 10-15 lbs and is staying but my mid section is getting BIGGER. I walk/jog 2 1/2-3 miles 5-6 times a week. I eat VERY clean. Can you maybe make a suggestion?

    Reply
  10. Wow this stuff sounds like myself. Can’t sleep I have no patience. No energy face swells hips and buttox stays in severe pain can’t breathe when eating nearly ,camping for air legs hurt so bad im afraid I’m not going to be able to walk my body is a faint nerve. Blockage in legs, arteries hormones are low ,no energy. Everyone has an excuse for me ,but they are not my excuses but I have to take it on the chin everyday depresses me more .I’m doing good to work 4 to 5 hours a day. I lost insurance .been saying for two years I’m 3 weeks away from being homeless.

    Reply
  11. What if we have the Euthyroid sick syndrome lab patterns while ON thyroid meds for hypo? Is it then a medical issue or a med issue?
    I do have chronic lyme disease, Co infections, mold illness

    Reply
  12. Dr. Childs-
    I have been treated for 6 years now with NDT hormone 0.25-0.5gr and more recently, synthetic T4 & T3 (50mcg/7.5mcg) with no apparent improvement in my hair loss, energy, brain fog, anxiety, etc. Seven years ago my TSH was 2.1, FT4 1.06, and FT3 2.3 before I started on any meds. At current dosing, I am at TSH of 1.1, FT4 of 1.1, and FT3 of 2.1. RT3 rises when I add more T4. I don’t feel much different other than I now have heart arrhythmia and under the care of a cardiologist. I am now thinking I must have ESS due to some underlying chronic health issue. I don’t know what that is, but I suspect malabsorption maybe due to low digestive enzymes (EPI). Maybe a liver problem? Should I be taking ANY thyroid hormones is the question. I am now starting to see many specialists to look for underlying sources of illness/inflammation that may have been present for YEARS that no one has yet discovered. It’s frightening. My naturopath is good with thyroid, but moves me too slowly. A new endo is trying to find the right mix for me to see how we can get my FT3 up a bit. I think my body is winning the battle to keep my levels low as it perceives illness. What do you think?

    Reply
    • Hi Sue,

      It would be worth a trial of thyroid medication to see if you see any improvement if you’ve tried other routes without much success.

      Reply
  13. Dr. Childs,

    I have had a general unwell feeling for 2+ years. I’m 59 years old with hypothyroidism since age 34. Since August 2020 my cbc hasn’t been right – wbc are typically 2.3 to 2.7 with spikes every four times tested to 3.4 then back in 2 range. My neutrophils are between 1,000-1,200 and lymphocytes usually low as well. During this time my levothyroxine has been reduced to levels I don’t recall in the past, now at 88. I keep finding myself in an ‘overdosed’ state and contact my primary and I get tested and levo is reduced and then that repeats itself. Am I going through a conversion from hypo to hyperthyroidism? I have tested positive for ANA and I have an upcoming bone marrow biopsy scheduled. I’ve had 3 MRIs (Brain, Lumbar and Cervical) as my team of doctors try to figure what is going on – I have a host of symptoms that include nerve, bowel, dizziness and on and on. I walk 4-6 miles per day typically, eat decent and at a good weight. I have lost a little weight in last year but my doctors and I believe that’s due to exercise. Severe neck pain was my primary symptom in 2021 which doing PT exercises keeps manageable.

    Thanks, Sally

    Reply
  14. Hi Dr. Childs,
    After COVID it looks like I developed thyroiditis and NTIS or euthyroid sick syndrome from my results? Right now my TSH is 2.2 from taking 17.5mcg of Cytomel. Yet my t4 is slightly high and my t3 is slightly low. When we first found out Dec 2021 I was in the hospital and my TSH was at a 27. But 7 months before my TSH was at a 17 to 11 after I stopped using iodine. But it all was missed by my doctor. Cytomel is the only medicine I can take though. T4 medicine makes me absolutely crazy and anything with t4 such as Armour and whenever I take too much T3 such as when I take 20mcg of it, it throws me off and I feel so tired all the time and my heart rate goes through the roof. The thing is I have to take Vitex too. Without it I have, and I have a hard time describing the pain, only that it feels like the bowels of hell ripping through my brain and my OCD becomes exponentially worse, along with my depression becomes debilitating. So with your help and like minded others, y’all have saved me. Thank you. It’s scary though that if I didn’t have these tools, informative people, and a will to live I would certainly not be here today. So thank you again.

    Reply
  15. Hello Dr. Child:
    When I was 15 years old in 1972 1/2 of my thyroid was removed ,(hashimoto s),put on synthyroid. I was on synthyroid all my youth and most adult life until they recalled it. I jumped back and forth from hypo to hyper when I was put on levothyroxine something about too much in some pills and not enough in others. I learned over the years how to know when I was either.In 2015 I was told from a bone marrow biopsy I have rare blood cancer,MPN ESSENTIAL THYROMBOCYTHEMIA which I now take hydroxurea 500 mg three times a day, blood platelets would reach one million and jump back to 600. When I know I am hyper I just stop the thyroid meds for two weeks and when I am hypo I take more. These two meds are all I take beside a baby aspirin and folic acid. What do you think? Keep doctoring myself are add something to get my TSH from 2.65 down to 1.?? Open for suggestions.

    Reply
  16. Thank you that is so helpful.

    This is possibly what I have…
    Borderline low T3 12 (12-22)
    Borderline low T3 3 (3-7)
    Normal TSH 1.25 (0.5-4)
    Lots of underactive symptoms

    I tried levothyroxine (T4 I think?) But felt very unwell, why would that be? Could it be because of rT3?

    Should an endocrinologist be able to do rT3 test if I ask?

    How does a person know if they have ESS or something hypothalamus or pituitary related? (Had bloods for pituitary, seemed okay, but don’t know if to push for a scan?)

    Reply
  17. I have been trying desperately to have a doctor listen to me regarding my thyroid. My primary does not see anything wrong and I see a DO for osteo manipulation that I asked his opinion, but he said there doesn’t appear to be anything amiss. My last labs concerned me: T3-1.9, T4 Free-1.5, and TSH 1.66; the T4 and TSH have been trending upward over the past year. Additionally, I had a lung cancer screening which identified a mild atrophic thyroid. I have all of the typical symptoms: short tempered, depression, memory issues, extremely dry skin and hair, and a ridiculous amount of weight gain despite no change to diet. Am I being overly concerned over nothing?

    Reply

Leave a Comment

0
Your Cart
Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
Calculate Shipping