When it comes to your weight, nothing is more important than managing your basal metabolic rate (1).
This rate controls and regulates how many calories you burn at rest making it the single most important metric for weight control.
The higher your basal metabolic rate is, the easier it is to lose weight and the easier it is to stay lean.
So if obtaining an ideal body composition is your goal, the question you should be asking yourself is this:
“How can I easily improve my basal metabolic rate?”
And that’s a question that I can help you with.
Here’s why:
The Easiest Way To Manage Your Basal Metabolic Rate
When it comes to managing this number, there’s a lever that you can pull that can make things a whole lot easier for you.
And that lever is your thyroid hormones.
Thyroid hormones, especially T3 and T2, are the PRIMARY regulators of your basal metabolic rate (2) and, by far, the most powerful thyroid hormones.
Current estimates suggest that your thyroid is responsible for about 40-60% of your metabolism.
And while we don’t have an exact number or percentage, and it’s likely that it varies from person to person, we know that it’s one of the most important metrics.
So if you want to more easily lose weight and maintain your body composition, thyroid hormones MUST be at the top of your mind.
When it comes to thyroid hormones, T3 is definitely the strongest overall but T2 plays a more important role in regulating the metabolism for 3 important reasons:
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#1. It helps your body activate brown fat.
Unlike white fat, brown fat is actually good if you want to lose weight because it helps your body burn fat and increases heat production (also known as thermogenesis).
Right now we don’t have a lot of T2 studies in humans but plenty of animal studies have shown that T2-treated mice see a browning of their white fat in as little as 10 weeks of daily T2 use (3).
This effect is so strong that T2 use in animals has been shown to counteract the negative effects of a high-fat diet.
Don’t be alarmed that you aren’t seeing a lot of human studies that are using T2 because it’s just now reaching increased attention.
Studies always start with animals and then extend to humans (4) and it will be the same in this case.
Even though there aren’t many studies on humans, we can extrapolate other existing data that suggests that T2 benefits humans in a similar way:
The first is with the use of Natural Desiccated Thyroid medications like Armour Thyroid.
These medications have long been held in high regard by many thyroid patients for their ability to help with weight loss beyond regular medications like levothyroxine.
Part of this must be attributed to the content of T2.
Yes, they contain T3 but there seems to be something special about T2 because patients who are using a combination of T4 and T3 medications don’t see the exact same results as equal dosing of Armour thyroid or equivalents (5).
And second, my own anecdotal experience with the use of T2 suggests it can help with weight loss as well.
My own T2 supplement has now been used by over 10,000 people and we are definitely seeing that T2 use has an impact on weight and metabolism.
#2. It increases mitochondrial energy production.
Mitochondria can be found in both brown fat and in your muscles where they provide a positive benefit on your weight and metabolism.
The more energy your mitochondria can produce, the more calories you will burn at rest and during exercise.
Increasing mitochondrial energy production is another easy way to enhance your metabolism and increase your basal metabolic rate and T2 thyroid hormone has been shown to do just that (6).
And #3. It provides a balancing effect on T3 and T4 levels (which means it’s beneficial for people WITH and WITHOUT thyroid disease).
Taking additional T2 can stabilize thyroid hormone conversion which means you maintain higher thyroid hormone levels in your body for longer periods of time.
In the normal physiologic state, your body starts with T4 and eventually breaks it down iodine by iodine until it creates T1.
But each thyroid hormone has a slightly different action and function.
T4, for instance, is really just a storage hormone for the creation of T3 and rT3.
T3, on the other hand, is a very metabolically active thyroid hormone.
T2 appears to be one of the most important thyroid hormones for regulating metabolism.
And T1, as far as we know, doesn’t have any function.
If you are trying to capitalize on thyroid physiology to enhance your weight loss efforts, then you’d want to maintain high levels of the thyroid hormones that we know have important functions like T4, T3, and T2.
But as you might have guessed, doing this is easier said than done.
And that’s because the same things that cause weight gain are the same things that negatively impact thyroid hormone metabolism.
Things like inflammation, eating processed foods, not sleeping enough, and stress, all preferentially cause your body to create fewer active thyroid hormones.
Instead of creating T3, your body will create reverse T3 which blocks the function of T3 leading to a decreased metabolism.
This slows down thyroid conversion and causes cellular hypothyroidism in the process.
Being overweight all by itself is enough to impact this conversion process and lead to thyroid dysfunction.
Which is why weight gain and thyroid dysfunction are related.
Weight gain can cause low thyroid function and low thyroid function can cause weight gain.
So, yes, it may very well be the case that your thyroid is responsible for your weight even though your lab tests may look normal.
But let’s put that aside for just a second to say that T2 has a positive impact on thyroid hormone metabolism and may stabilize your T4 and T3 levels.
Regardless of existing thyroid disease, we know that a functioning thyroid gland is important for the regulation of your metabolism.
And both those with thyroid disease and those without can benefit from T2 use by virtue of its stabilizing effects on T4 and T3.
Using T2 For Obesity
This is why T2 is such an interesting treatment for obesity in both people who have thyroid problems and those who don’t.
But more interesting than that, is the fact that you don’t need a high dose of T2 to obtain these benefits.
Relatively small doses of T2, those that are very well tolerated, can have a big impact on your fat cells and other thyroid hormones.
One human study showed that taking T2 was enough to increase resting metabolic rate and resulted in a 4% reduction in body weight over a period of several weeks (7).
This was done in people with NORMAL thyroid function, by the way, not in people who have existing hypothyroidism.
This implies that T2 supplementation may be a useful treatment for all types of obesity, regardless of thyroid status.
I’ve long been a proponent of using T2 for patients with existing thyroid dysfunction but I’ve been hesitant to recommend T2 in those who are overweight but with ‘normal’ thyroid levels.
But my mind is changing…
Is T2 safe for people who are overweight without thyroid problems?
The direction the data is pointing is yes, as long as the dose is not too high (more on that in just a minute).
T2 is Easier to Get Compared to Other Thyroid Hormones
Another really interesting point about T2 is the fact that it’s the ONLY thyroid hormone that is available over the counter which means you don’t need a prescription to get it.
Thyroid hormones like T3 and T4 BOTH require a prescription from your doctor but that’s not the case with T2.
For all of these reasons, I think T2 is probably the single most effective way to manipulate your basal metabolic rate and thyroid hormone system without running the risk of causing problems.
How to Use T2 Safely
If you want to take advantage of the benefits of T2 for weight loss here are a few things to consider:
Let’s start with dosing:
The few human studies that exist suggest that dosing of T2 should not exceed 300 mcg per day (8).
This threshold is important because if you stay under it, you won’t see any negative changes to your thyroid function lab tests if you were to check them.
This is critical because it implies that T2 is having an effect on your cells without changing your thyroid lab tests or putting you into a state of hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid medications like T3 are often abused for their weight loss potential but their abuse leads to temporary states of excess thyroid hormone.
Taking T2 in the right range will augment your metabolic potential without increasing your risk of hyperthyroidism and subsequent problems.
It may be tempting to try and increase your dose of T2 to get results faster but this tactic should be avoided.
That’s because higher doses of T2 can definitely cause problems and have been shown to cause cardiac enlargement (9).
T2 does have a weak affinity for the T3 receptor but it can start to cause hyperthyroid symptoms when dosing exceeds 300 mcg per day.
Beyond existing studies, my own experience suggests that dosing in the 100 mcg to 200 mcg per day range is ideal for both thyroid support and metabolic support.
It provides you enough of a dose to see a benefit while keeping you clear from the higher end of the range which may cause problems.
Using T2 As a Supplement
Next, you need to think about the form of T2:
The most biologically active form of T2 is 3,5 diiodo-l-thyronine.
So if you want to supplement with T2, make sure you get this form and not some other weaker metabolite.
And, finally, the duration of therapy:
It takes a minimum of 6 weeks of daily use of any thyroid hormone before it reaches a steady state in your serum.
So this is not some lose weight quick scheme, it’s something you need to plan to do for the long haul.
Like any thyroid hormone that you may be taking, the benefits really just start to take effect at the 6-week mark but may take several months to fully realize.
For this reason, and because it’s just the best way to approach weight loss, you should never just take T2 by itself.
Its use should always be accompanied by diet and exercise, and I would also add intermittent fasting of some sort to that list.
That’s because T2 and these treatments have a synergistic effect with one another.
Combining T2 with these therapies will make them even more effective and will continually improve your thyroid function overall.
Should You Take T2?
I think it depends on your situation.
For the treatment of hypothyroidism, I know the answer is clear: yes, you should give it a trial.
For weight loss, I think the answer is a little more nuanced.
I would definitely consider the use of T2 thyroid hormone for weight loss to still be in its early infancy and even in the experimental phase.
So if you are somebody who doesn’t like the idea of being an early adopter, then this is probably not the best option for you.
For full disclosure, there are some people who recommend AGAINST the use of T2 by suggesting that it hasn’t been well studied.
And while it is true that it hasn’t been as studied as other treatments, it should come as no surprise that some people recommend against its use.
The same people who recommend avoiding it are the same people who recommend only using T4 thyroid medication and testing the TSH, so you can take that for what it is.
After reviewing the existing studies, it appears that T2 use for weight loss is a very promising strategy and I would be happy to argue for its use (along with T3) in place of other more potentially harmful treatments like GLP-1 agonists.
I don’t know how you can suggest that a GLP-1 agonist like Wegovy is safer than a bio-identical thyroid hormone.
It’s less about risk and more about personal preference.
If you are someone that prefers to use natural hormones to help bring your body and metabolism back into balance then I would say T2 is a great option.
In addition, if you’ve tried a lot of other weight loss medications or treatments without success, then you may want to consider it as well.
As I mentioned previously, 3,5 diiodo-l-thyronine is considered to be a bio-identical hormone which means it looks identical to the same T2 that your body produces in a healthy state.
The source is considered synthetic because it’s manufactured in a lab, but whether or not a hormone is beneficial depends far more on whether it’s bioidentical or not as opposed to its source.
As always, do your research first because no one cares more about your body than you do!
And by the way, T2 isn’t the only supplement that can help with thyroid weight loss.
You can see a list of other great options here.
Scientific References
#1. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6893862/
#2. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500006/
#3. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6468521/
#4. translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-019-1976-2
#5. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8089975/
#6. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5854997/
#7. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22217997/
#8. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22217997/
#9. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4272398/
I’m completely exhausted and feeling that there is nothing going to get me better . I need a good thyroid Dr. I struggle with Graves disease and Hashimotos. help point me in right direction
Hi Krystle,
I would recommend checking out this resource to help you find a thyroid literate doctor: https://www.restartmed.com/how-to-find-a-doctor-to-treat-your-thyroid/
I had a brilliant functional medicine physician Dr Gonzales who retired in California. He was trained both as in internist and pulmonologist before going into functional medicine. I have poly autoimmune whatever it’s called and last year a new rheumatologist advised me to go off the high doses of vitamin D3 I’ve been on for 25 years and he won’t prescribe the LDN I’ve been on for years and the lupus, Sjögrens hachimotos reynards etc has upgraded to multiple sclerosis I’m using a cane, having serious neurological issues. I just heard yesterday in a ms support group how important high doses of Vit D3 are and got back on it yesterday. Today Monday I’m seeking a functional med physician. I do well on LDN for autoimmune. I do not desire weight loss.
I’m taking 62 mcg of Cytomel (off brand) per day for the past 4 years…I’m increasingly tired (also 58), should I change to Cytomel and get off the generic? Low mood, can’t lose weight and I work out plenty…Never weighed above 100lb, gynast, etc until late 40s. I added T2 about 5 weeks ago…should I be feeling any different yet? Had my thyroid tested in Feb…despite my dose my T3 was 2.8. I’m also taking testosterone pellet. Can I go up on Cytomel…I feel like thats a no with my onset of Osteoporosis.
Hello~ I want to lose 30 lbs (used to stay @ 114-118) and I currently take Armour 90mg. And I believe in fasting too. I just turned 70
I have Hashimoto’s and struggle with weight loss. I would love to try T2 in addition to my regular meds. I live in Canada, do you know if it is available without prescription here as well? What supplement do you have and can it be shipped here?
Hi Carol,
As far as I know it’s available in Canada as we’ve had no issues in shipping Essential T2 there. You can find my T2 supplement here if you want to learn more about it: https://www.restartmed.com/product/essential-t2/
Shipping is free on all international orders over $250.
Is T2 suitable for those without a thyroid please? I take a combo of NDT and T3. I am also in the UK, not that matters of course.
Thanks
Sue
Hi Sue,
Yes, T2 is especially important for those without a thyroid since they are no longer producing any thyroid hormone.
Just ordered from your store, hoping it will help with a sluggish metabolism while going through a lot of stress.
Will the weight come back if you stop taking T2? Will the body become reliant on the supplement in order to maintain any weight loss?
Thank you!
Hi Evelyn,
If you can lose weight and normalize your thyroid then you will have no need to continue using the supplement. The weight may come back if you don’t make any changes to your lifestyle and continue doing the things that lead to the weight gain initially. For this reason, if you want to lose weight and keep it off, I recommend combining any weight loss supplement with diet, exercise, and intermittent fasting.
I am taking 62.5 of tirosin sol and 5 mcg of slow release compounded T3.
Even though all my values are within normal range, I still don’t feel OK. Should I try stopping T3 slow release compounded and try T2 instead?
Hi Rosa,
I’m not able to provide medical advice but there’s no clinical reason you can’t use T2 in conjunction with T3 or T2 by itself. Both options have the potential to work.
Hi Dr. Childs
Thank you for the information.
I am currently on 180 mgs of Armour.
I am struggling to lose approx 7 to 10 lbs.
Do you think its safe to add T2?
Thank you
I have two questions. First for my wife. She takes unithroid 125 but still has all the hashimotos hypo symptoms. Fatigue, hair loss, super dry skin, weight gain. Can she take this with her meds?
My question. I am getting ready to start NP thyroid 60. Can I take 100 mcg of T2 with that to help with weight loss and energy?
Hi Matt,
I generally recommend taking T2 by itself but we’ve had tons of thyroid patients take it at the same time as their other thyroid medication (all types) without any issues thus far.
T2 can be used with all thyroid medications, including NP thyroid so it could be added to that regimen.
My mom is 90 and has had low thyroid for many years, but not a doctor who paid any attention to it. I’ve recently been advocating for her to her doctor who is arrogant and clearly not educated about thyroid. I insisted on having all of her thyroid levels tested and they are abysmal. He started her on a low dose of 25mcg of levothyroxine over 2 months ago and, although her thyroid levels have slightly improved, he doesn’t want to increase her dosage for fear of heart palpitations?? She has no heart problems and is in extraordinarily good health for her age, including no osteoporosis. Since my mom is 90, I’m having trouble getting her to switch doctors, but I hope to eventually persuade her. This is a long way of asking: are there any contraindications for thyroid medication at her age? My naturopath says no. And does it make sense to have her begin taking T2 right now?
Hi Dru,
I’m unaware of any data suggesting that T2 is potentially dangerous or contraindicated in the elderly, but, admittedly, there’s not a lot of data in general about T2. I would think that there’s likely no issue in using it in someone at that age but there’s no way to know for sure without some trial and error.
Can you drink coffee with T2?
Hi Janice,
No. You would never want to drink coffee with any thyroid hormone or thyroid medication and that includes T2. Ideally, you wouldn’t drink coffee at all but if you do drink it, you should take your thyroid hormones as far away as possible for the reasons explained here: https://www.restartmed.com/coffee-and-synthroid/
Hi Dr. Childs,
What’s your take on this article?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4272398/#:~:text=In%20the%20meantime%2C%20the%20current,food%20intake%2C%20and%20cardiac%20hypertrophy.
“In the meantime, the current literature and the results presented by Jonas et al (11) indicate that, in addition to increased metabolism and reduced fat mass, T2 administration also leads to suppression of the HPT axis, increased food intake, and cardiac hypertrophy.”
Hi Josh,
The studies I’ve seen show that 800 mcg per day of T2 can lead to suppression of the HPT axis and that this suppression doesn’t start until doses exceed 300 mcg/day. This is why I dosed my Essential T2 at 100 mcg/serving. The 100-300 mcg range provides physiological benefit without the risk of HPT suppression. Beyond existing research, I also have anecdotal data from the over 10,000 people who have used my T2 product and I can confirm this is not something we’ve seen.
So while that statement is technically correct, it lacks context since the dosing is not specified.
The authors of the article contend that while low doses do not have a suppressive effect on the HPT axis, these same doses are too low to provide physiologic benefit. This is where we would disagree as my experience suggests that this is not the case.
I take Tirosint, should I take Essential T2 at the same time?
Hi Aurora,
I generally recommend taking T2 away from thyroid medication but we’ve had plenty of people who take T2 at the same time as their other thyroid medication without any issues. It’s something you can experiment with and see what works best.
Can you take T2 with the Thyroid Glandular supplement?
Hi Kristi,
Yes, they can be used together.
This is the first time I’ve heard of T2. I am interested in taking it for weight loss and willing to try right now.
I’m currently on 60 mg of armour thyroid but my dr. suggested I titrate up. My problem is I struggle with premature ventricular contractions from time to time and unexplained internal tremors. It could have been a random coincidence but I felt like more thyroid was affecting me negatively. Remember, bloodwork shows I need to increase…but I’m scared.
Will taking T2 at your suggested lower dose have any negative affects like feelings of jitteriness or heart palpitations?
Also, where can I buy it?
Hi Gayle,
It’s possible that T2 may impact the heart, yes. I’ve discussed this in more detail here: https://www.restartmed.com/heart-palpitations-thyroid-medication/ and here: https://www.restartmed.com/how-to-test-for-t2-thyroid-hormone/
In short, T2 has some impact on the thyroid hormone receptor which means it enhances the activity of T3. At low doses, it’s highly unlikely to cause sufficient receptor activity to induce heart palpitations, but it’s always possible.
Out of the thousands of people who have used my T2 supplement, we’ve only seen a handful who have said they experience heart palpitations when taking it. It’s hard to know if T2 was truly the cause, though, since we have limited information and can only go by what they say.
I take NP thyroid twice a day. One dose is 60 mg. and the second dose is 30 mg. I have been taking your T2 for months now. It doesn’t seem to make any difference in my weight or thyroid labs. I exercise daily and eat very healthily. I do not overeat. I only eat two small meals daily. I am 67 years old. I am just not sure I should continue to take your T2 since I have not noticed any difference in my weight whatsoever.
Hi Marilyn,
There are many factors that go into one’s ability to lose weight that are beyond thyroid hormones and eating healthy. I would recommend reading this article for more information:
https://www.restartmed.com/mistakes-hypothyroid-patients-make-when-trying-to-lose-weight/
Based on the limited information you’ve shared here, it’s very possible you have caused damage to your metabolism from under eating. If that’s the case, you will need to resolve that issue first and no amount of T2 will fix that problem until you address it specifically.
There’s always a reason that someone is unable to lose weight, it just can be difficult to find if you don’t know what to look for.
When should I take t2 and how many mg your supplement contains ?
Hi Azita,
T2 is taken in the same way as any other thyroid medication so it’s best taken on an empty stomach and away from other food and supplements. Most people take it in the morning but it can be taken in the evening. My Essential T2 contains 100 mcg of 3,5 diiodo-l-thyronine in each capsule.
I added your T2 along with Tirosint and cytomel. It hasn’t helped t all
I’m disappointed as I think highly of your information
Thanks
Hi Nikki,
Can you elaborate on what you mean by it didn’t help at all? Do you mean it didn’t help you lose weight or that it didn’t help you feel better?
There’s no guarantee that any therapy will work, but the combination you are on should definitely have a positive impact on thyroid function, provided you are being dosed correctly. This leads me to believe that you either are a) not being dosed correctly with your other thyroid hormones (even though T2 is powerful, it doesn’t take the place of T4 and T3), b) you are missing something that is causing thyroid-like symptoms but is not actually related to your thyroid or c) you are missing out on important lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, stress management, etc. and relying too heavily on thyroid medications/supplements.
Hi
I take 100mcg of t4 one day then 75mcg of t4 the next I was told to rotate them nightly due to hashimotos, I was also told not to fast as it puts my body under pressure and causes more issues? I also take 50mcg of t3 and I cannot lose weight at all? I’m active during the day, watch what I’m eating etc but still the weight creeps on I’m at a loss as to what to do and the doctors in the uk don’t seem to know much about the thyroid and don’t it much attention to your bloods and or your symptoms… putting the weight on has massively impacted my life and just need some help xx
Hi Claire,
You will need to have your thyroid lab tests evaluated to see if you are being dosed correctly. That’s always the first step. You can learn more here: https://www.restartmed.com/normal-thyroid-levels/
Hello Dr Westin Childs…
Rye Murless here from the UK
So wouldn’t T2 be good for me?
Full thyroid removal just over 2 years ago…..I am now underactive thyroid 150mg levothyroxine with 10mg of propranolol & 7.5mg of Ramipili daily. Graves disease with Ted…. eat clean,with moderate exercise daily . But still find weight loss hard. Do intimated fasting & keep calories daily 1,300 as if I seem to eat more than this weight creeps on more! So happy to purchase your T2 (if you post to the UK?) Will this help with more weight loss? If so how long after taking will I see results? & is it safe to take with my other medications ?
Kind Regards.
Hi Rye,
It’s impossible to predict results, but based on experience, T2 is ideal for those without a thyroid as they no longer have the same thyroid hormone function as those with a thyroid gland.
Whether or not it helps with weight loss is more a function of what other treatments you combine it with (diet, lifestyle changes, exercise, etc.) and whether your other thyroid hormones and medications are dosed appropriately.
In regards to your other questions, yes, we ship to the UK frequently and we’ve never had issues getting our supplements through customs. I would, however, look into VAT charges as they do sometimes charge additional fees for imported goods into the UK.
I keep reading your articles and research after getting my Stratogene test results back a few years ago & have had only 1 person analyze & fully explain results & my vast amount of SNP detours. I’ve said for MANY YEARS to TOO MANY doctors (PCP & Endocrinologist) that I felt something was wrong with me. Tests always came back in the normal range, so All my symptoms from hair loss to not being able to regulate my body temp (always sweating or chilly), very dry skin, severe fatigue in past that pops up now & then, weight gain & inability to lose issues (and I will say here, I follow non-dairy, anti inflammatory, clean eating, and exercise of weight training & daily cardio). I have been on a healthier lifestyle campaign over the last 11 years, been to 1 nutritionist that diagnosed me in 2016 with severe adrenal fatigue taking one of the recommended Cortisol tests. And as you know NO endocrinologist believes in that. They look at me like I’m nuts & because tests are “normal range” they blame all my symptoms on being a woman, my age and not believing I actually follow a healthy lifestyle, which I might add is draining me mentally because NOTHING works. I went thru a 6 month intensive program with a local functional “medical” Dr in 2017, with the promise of getting to the root of my Issues & fixing. I was strict with the fasting, with the supplements & repeated tests etc and NOTHING changed except my mental health. I basically isolated myself from friends cutting out all social plans because I couldn’t eat like a “normal” person and I was determined to not do anything to spoil what I thought was an opportunity. I did learn some things. Won’t deny that. Since then I did find a real functional and integrative medical practice; however still not able to get symptom relief after testing GI, food intolerances and even couple DUTCH Tests. In 2017I also had my Thyroid removed due to several growing nodules and had a WONDERFUL surgeon who was the only one to test me for Hashimito, which I did & I understand never goes away fully. I’m under care of endocrinologist and since 2019 have had a struggle keeping weight AND TSH levels within range bouncing from above range All the way to below range with medication changes along the way. AND weight changes impact that too. No tested females hormones exist & after MANY yrs of debating that last December I gave ok to start Progesterone & compounded Estrogen. Medication after my surgery was Levothyroxine and after seeing that Functional person in 2018 I asked my endocrinologist to put me on Liothyrinine because genes show I don’t convert, I don’t detox well either. She did without questioning my findings. We more recently switched me to SYNTHROID to see if I absorb better. But still bouncing in the under range or minimally in the scale.vi don’t feel right & the times when Dr Quack put me on a dessicated hormone, Endocrinologist objects violently. I read this article, but still concerned to take a dessicated T2 as OTC. She’ll have a fit. BUT if I don’t find resolution to the weight being hot all the time & not feeling like I can enjoy social environments and get out in life to enjoy dinners with friends, relatives & my husband, go On vacations, not sure this mental struggle is also good for my adrenals or brain in general.
Hi Kelly,
If you do better on T4 medications and you are worried about absorption then Tirosint or Tirosint-sol would likely be better for you than Synthroid:
https://www.restartmed.com/tirosint/
https://www.restartmed.com/tirosint-sol/
Good morning!
I have been following you for a while now. I just read your article on T2 and I am intrigued. I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and am looking to prevent full blown hypothyroidism. I am having a very hard time losing weight. I initially lost 55 pounds following a strict Keto diet, but as I got away from only 30 gm of carbs a day to just a low carb, moderate protein, high (good) fat diet I am seeing the scale steadily increase weekly. I have gained back 25 pounds and am so frustrated. I am getting ready to try the T2. I’ll keep you posted as to my progress.
Hi Valerie,
Sounds good! I would also recommend checking out my Perfect Thyroid Diet if you are looking for a diet for your thyroid and for weight loss: https://www.restartmed.com/perfect-thyroid-diet/
Hi! I take 45 mg of Armour thyroid per day. Since Armour already has some T2 in it.. how much T2 should I take separately? I weigh 135 but should weigh 110.
Also.. does T2 affect bones, heart or kidneys in a positive or negative way?
Thank you!!!
Hi Sharon,
No one knows how much T2 is in Armour thyroid (or even if it’s actually in there) because the manufacturers don’t test for it. My best guess is that if there is any T2 in it, it probably contains between 1 to 5 mcg which is very tiny. Given that, the dosing for those adding T2 to NDT is the same as for those who are using any other type of thyroid medication. It starts at 100 mcg per day and can be titrated up to 200 mcg per day and should never exceed more than 300 mcg per day.
Dear Dr. Childs,
My endocrinologist found elevated levels of Prolactin in my labs. 44 ng/ml , she ordered an MRI of my pituitary and there is no tumors nothing at all. She still wants to put me on a trial of Cabergoline 0.5mg to see if this will lower my prolactin levels… what are your thoughts on elevated prolactin levels and cabergoline?
I have Hashimoto’s my thyroid doesn’t work . I take 75mcg of tirosint and I have a very low level of TSH BUT very low levels of all other thyroid labs as well FT3, FT4, Total T4 and T3. Which does not make sense, with a low TSH .059 , FT3, FT4, Total T4 and T3 should be high but they are not, they are either below normal values or border line low as if I was taking enough medication. Please help me, thank you so much.
I take 180 mg of armour thyroid is it safe to add the T2 ?
Hi Debbie,
Based on available data and patient experience, T2 doesn’t cause problems when taken in conjunction with NDT formulations like Armour Thyroid.
Hello,
I have Hashimoto’s. I stopped taking levothyroxine and litothyronine cold turkey. I don’t want to be on the medication anymore. Will T2 help with the typical symptoms of having Hashimoto’s and is it a good idea to take it alone?
Danielle
Hi Danielle,
It may, but it’s not really a replacement for T4 or T3 thyroid hormone. I’m not sure it would make sense to go off T4 or T3 in favor of T2, though, given that all 3 of these are bio-identical thyroid hormones. If you don’t like the idea of taking T4 and T3 then you probably wouldn’t like the idea of taking T2. The only difference between T4 and T3 is that T2 is available over the counter, otherwise they are all thyroid hormones.
Hi Dr. Childs,
I have both Hashimoto and adrenal insufficiency and my problem is not gaining weight as is the case with most people. My problem is losing weight.
Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciate. Thank you.
Hi Ande,
This article is about helping people lose weight which, based on your comment, is exactly what you are looking for.
You can also find additional information here:
https://www.restartmed.com/lose-weight-hashimotos/
https://www.restartmed.com/weight-loss-naturethroid/
I started taking NP Thyroid 60 mg about 4 weeks ago. Would you recommend taking T2 right now or let the NP Thyroid get into my system before starting?
Hi April,
It wouldn’t matter one way or the other. It takes roughly 6 to 8 hours of daily use of any thyroid hormone before it reaches steady state in your system so you could wait that amount of time before starting T2 if you felt compelled to for whatever reason. It’s reasonable to allow your body some time to adapt to NP Thyroid to see how you respond if you wanted to wait.
I’ve just started taking your T2 supplement. It says to take it 30 to 60 min. before or after other thyroid meds. If I take my T4 and T3, wait 30 min., and then take the T2, do I have to wait another 30 min. before eating? Thanks!
Hi Marilyn,
Essential T2 can be taken at the same time as thyroid medication if that makes it easier. Alternatively, it can be taken 30-60 minutes away from food and other supplements/medications (just like thyroid medication).
What is your opinion on the use of T2 hormone for someone taking 13mcg Tirosint and 5 mcg Liothyronine with diagnosed Low T3 syndrome? Good idea or bad idea?
My free T3 barely changes despite how much T3 or T4 I throw at it.
Hi Sue,
T2 can be used with all thyroid medication including T3. The available evidence suggests that T2 supports T3 action on the thyroid hormone receptor.
Why do my questions disappear. Never once had a response.
Hi Karen,
I looked through our comment records and it looks like all of your previous comments are posted and showing up publicly.
In my Adrenotone supplement, I see that there is 250mg pantothenic acid (as D–calcium pantothenate). It has calcium in the name, so does that act as regular calcium that I have to take 4 hours away from thyroid medicine?
I am surprised to see that you talk about the risks of Wegovy and similar drugs. You have often posted patient success stories here and repeated many times that Saxenda and Victoza are safe and that serious side effects are rare. Have you now changed your mind and, if so, why? I even found a doctor to prescribe Saxenda after reading your articles about it.
You have stressed many times that the reason many people cannot lose weight is leptin resistance, and Saxenda and similar drugs are currently the only ones addressing that condition. You have said over and over again that leptin resistance will make weight loss impossible. Do you no longer believe leptin resistance is an issue, or is your opinion that T2 addresses that as well?
Hi Anna,
My thinking has definitely evolved on many topics including GLP-1 agonists which is explained here: https://www.restartmed.com/glp-1-agonists-and-weight-loss/
There are a number of other topics that I’ve changed my stance on as well and I will be writing about those in the future.
Hi Dr Childs,
I’ve been on levothyroxin for about 3 years. My last labs the value was 68. That seems close to the lower end, but my doctor won’t change my dosage. She says she can’t unless it drops below. I’m not overweight at all, but would like to lose a few pounds. I feel like my metabolism has really slowed down. I am a breast cancer survivor, had radiation and sometimes wonder if the radiation has damaged my thyroid. In any case, I would like to try T2. It sounds like it won’t effect my thyroid lab test. Is that true? I’ve listened to a few of your podcasts, which have been helpful. Thank you for doing them.
Hi Alice,
Based on available data, doses less than 300 mcg per day shouldn’t have any impact on thyroid lab tests.
Hi Dr Child’s
My functional doc recommended your T2 for weight loss. I was also particularly interested in the extra energy from an increased metabolism.
However, I know I can be sensitive to meds.
-Day 1 and 2 I took one capsule at about 10am (away from T4/T3). It seems to have a reverse effect on me. It makes me tired and drowsy. ( and it’s the only medication I had added in those days)
-Day 3 (today) I took it at 5pm. it’s 9.30pm and I am ready to go to sleep. I honestly can’t keep my eyes open (very unlike me).
I’ve been trawling through all the questions and answers to see if anybody else has had the same reaction.
Can you tell me why this is happening?
And is it benefiting me in any way?
(I also take Exhilirin, had the same reaction during the day, I now only take that at nighttime).
Many thanks
Neena
Hi Neena,
It takes a minimum of 6 weeks of daily use of any thyroid hormone before it reaches steady state in your system and many months before it reaches its full effect. This is standard for all thyroid hormones, including T2 because of their action on the thyroid hormone receptor, genetic transcription, and the subsequent changes that follow. For this reason, any symptoms you are experiencing within days of taking the supplement would not be related to the T2, but to something else. You’ll want to look at other causes for the symptoms you are experiencing as you won’t even begin to feel the effects of T2 for many more weeks.
Dear Dr. Childs,
I received your T2 supplement and from day one felt an immediate lift in my energy and muscle strength.
I had a partial thyroidectomy 5 years ago and have struggled with side effects from every thyroid medication dr.s have had me on mostly fatigue and muscle weakness. As I have excellent health and I’m in great shape for my age 71 and take no other medication I can clearly speak to how thyroid meds have effected me terribly I might add so I am beyond pleased with my results from your T2 and I will remain optimistic from here on out as it has been a god send.
I will hope for everyone to have a similar experience , May you all be blessed.
Carol
Hi Carol,
Glad to hear it’s working well for you!
Hi, Neena.
I just have to chime in here, and share my experience with T2. I have been on a low dose of Dessicated Thyroid (ThyroGold) ~110mg for several years, and recently added 100mcg of T2 to see if I could bump up my metabolism a little bit. The day I started the T2, I couldn’t sleep. But in the days after starting it, I noticed that I felt much MORE tired and lethargic, and I needed more sleep than before. My weight has paradoxically gone UP, without any changes to diet or exercise.
I have now been on the T2 for about 4 weeks, and I have GAINED about 3-4 pounds, again without having changed my diet or exercise frequency/intensity. And, I ALWAYS take the thyroid meds away from each other, plus I don’t drink coffee at all.
Dr. Childs, do you have any theories on what can be going on with people like us that experience negative effects like this? We can’t all be imagining this.
Hi Neena,
I don’t think people are imagining their symptoms, but I think it’s certainly possible they could be misattributing them to thyroid hormones when they are caused from some other cause.
Can T2 lead to weight gain? I’m sure there’s some strange scenario where that could occur in an indirect way but it runs counter to everything we understand about the physiology of T2. And, as a result, I would always look to other factors first.
Other factors that I think are far more likely to be responsible for weight gain while taking T2 include fluid, constipation, food volume, stress, sleep, and menstrual related weight gain/fluid shifts.
On top of these, you also have to consider the quality of the T2 product you are taking.
My manufacturer and I had to create a prolonged blending process in order to ensure that the T2 in Essential T2 is properly blended and dosed consistently and this is all done by hand. A standard manufacturer may spend only a fraction of that time meaning the dosing is likely far less consistent.
It would be hard to blame T2 unless you’ve accounted for all of these other factors including the quality of the product you are taking.
Why does T2 need to be taken 30 min before or after thyroid medication? Is it OK to take them together? I’d highly prefer that, because I already find it difficult to wait 30-45 min. before my morning cup of coffee.
Also, both me and my friend take thyroid medication, but with differing instructions. His doctor said to wait 45-60 min before food and drinking coffee and to take it with a big glass of water. My doctor says to wait 30-45 min before eating or drinking and take it with a sip or water. Which is it? I read somewhere that thyroid medication is absorbed in the duodenum, so a rush of water pushes it down there, is that true?
Hi Rebecca,
Long story short is that when I first created it, and in an attempt to be cautious, I recommended that it be taken by itself. What I later found was that it was fine to take at the same time as other thyroid hormones. The product page now reflects this additional option but I left the instructions on the bottle the same to avoid confusion from people who are used to taking everything away from their thyroid medication. It’s one of those things where we are going to get a lot of questions either way, but the reality is that both options work.
I’m currently taking 150mcg of levothyroxin daily for hypothyroidism -resulting in TSH of 2.0. As I need to loose 70lbs. I added 100mcg of 3,5 diiodo-L-thyroninre one day recently and went into a hyperthyroid rapid heart rate state within 36 hours, so immediately stopped taking the T2.
I might be one of those people who needs a T2 dose of only 50mcg.
Is it possible that I might be able to take 50 or 100mcg T2 and not need the levothyroxin at all?
Hi Bryan,
It’s possible, yes, but it’s not typical. T2 is best used in combination with other thyroid hormones, but there are plenty of people who have been able to use it by itself as well so it really just depends on the individual and their situation.
As far as hyperthyroidism goes, T2 shouldn’t cause that directly. What it may do, though, is enhance the effectiveness of your existing thyroid medication (this is a good thing). When this happens, adjusting your other thyroid hormones downward may be warranted.