T3 Supplement Side Effects: What To Look For

T3 supplements are some of the most powerful supplements available for thyroid patients, so it’s no wonder why they are so popular.

And it’s for this reason that some thyroid patients are somewhat hesitant to take them.

But let me put your mind at ease:

T3 thyroid support supplements are quite safe for the majority of people who take them and they do not cause the exact same side effects as T3 medication (though there are some similarities).

But that doesn’t mean that they are completely side-effect-free, either.

Whether you’re taking T3 thyroid medication or using a natural T3 support supplement, here’s what you need to know:

Common Side Effects of T3 Supplements

I’ve had the advantage of selling one of the most popular T3 thyroid supplements on the market for 8 years, so I have an extensive database of information from patients over the years.

And based on that experience, here’s what I’ve learned:

About 80% of thyroid patients who take T3 supplements will see positive side effects.

About 5-10% of thyroid patients who take them will experience some sort of negative side effect.

And the remaining 10-15% will experience no benefit at all.

Looking at those numbers, you are about 8-10x more likely to experience a positive benefit as opposed to a negative benefit.

But if you are one of the unlucky few who doesn’t experience them, here are the most common:

1. Increased Heart Rate & Palpitations

One of the first signs of excessive T3 is a rapid heart rate or the sensation of heart palpitations.

This occurs because your heart is more sensitive to T3 (1) compared to other thyroid hormones like T4.

Most thyroid patients associate heart palpitations with a rapid heart rate or some problem with the heart, but this is rarely the case.

Instead, a heart palpitation is just the sensation that your heart is beating, and it says nothing about the rate at which it is beating.

But that doesn’t mean it isn’t scary.

I would say this is probably the most common reason that thyroid patients stop taking T3 supplements, even though the presence of palpitations doesn’t mean you have to.

If you are experiencing a true rapid heart rate (a heart rate higher than 100 beats per minute at rest) then you should stop them, but most people will not see this with the use of natural supplements.

2. Anxiety & Jitteriness

Because T3 increases metabolic activity throughout the body, it can sometimes cause symptoms of anxiety (2), nervousness, shakiness, or restlessness.

These are usually described as a sense of nervous energy or uncomfortable energy.

While this particular side effect isn’t necessarily harmful on its own, people don’t like feeling this way so they often stop taking whatever is causing it.

But it is important to note that the presence of these symptoms means that whatever you are taking is working.

Instead of completely stopping your T3 supplement, instead, try to reduce your dose so you can benefit from the increase in energy without overdoing it.

3. Insomnia & Sleep Disturbances

Along with what we just mentioned, as T3 increases metabolic activity in the body, it can cause long-lasting energy that extends into the evening.

Unfortunately, this can sometimes result in the inability to fall and stay asleep (3).

And what’s doubly unfortunate is that a lack of sleep can negatively impact your thyroid.

So this is definitely one that you don’t want to accept as far as side effects go.

The good news is that you can often get rid of this side effect by simply taking your T3 supplement as early in the morning as possible.

For the vast majority of thyroid patients, taking their T3 supplement before noon will not result in sleep impairment.

4. Headaches & Migraines

Some people experience headaches when increasing their T3 status.

Why this occurs is not clear but may be due to changes in blood flow and/or changes to hormone levels that occur as your thyroid hormone improves.

In many cases that I’ve seen, these headaches tend to fade after a few weeks, so it’s often worth it to continue on through this side effect to see if your body acclimates.

You can also try taking other supplements such as B vitamins and magnesium, which can both treat and prevent headaches and migraines.

5. Increased Sweating & Heat Sensitivity

Since T3 helps to regulate body temperature (4), increasing your T3 production can sometimes lead to night sweats and flushing.

This symptom is definitely more common in menopausal women and it’s not really something that menstruating women see very often.

It probably has to do with the changes that T3 has on metabolism as well as the impact it has on sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

T3 Supplements vs T3 Medications

There’s definitely a lot of overlap in the symptoms associated with T3 medications and T3 supplements with one notable difference:

The side effects of supplements are considerably less common and less intense when compared to medications like liothyronine and Cytomel.

This is because T3 supplements help your body naturally produce T3 to whatever capacity your body can handle.

They should NOT push you into a state of hyperthyroidism.

This is not true of T3 thyroid medications.

This is important to understand because some people who have experienced side effects with T3 medications are afraid to use T3 supplements.

But because T3 supplements are much more gentle in their approach, this is rarely ever a concern.

Side Effects Specific to T3 Conversion Booster

T3 Conversion Booster has been my #1-2 selling supplement for 8 years and tens of thousands of thyroid patients have used it to date.

If you’re thinking about taking it and want to see side effects specific to its formula, here’s what I’ve seen:

• Digestive Discomfort – This is probably due to the dose of zinc and selenium which can sometimes upset the stomach. This can generally be solved by taking it with food.
• Temporary Fatigue – If your body has been in a state of fatigue for a long period of time, a sudden increase in T3 may lead to temporary fatigue as your body adjusts. If this happens, stay the course or simply take your supplement at night (provided it doesn’t interfere with sleep).
• Mild Jitteriness – Some thyroid patients have reported a feeling of being on edge, especially when they first start taking it. This side effect tends to resolve after about 5-7 days.
• No benefit at all – As mentioned, about 5-10% of people who take T3 supplements will not see any benefit at all. And if we are talking percentages, this is probably the most common reason people stop taking T3 Conversion Booster. The reality is that there is no one-size-fits-all supplement and even the best don’t work for every individual. But through trial and error, you will be able to figure out what works best for you.

Because different T3 supplements contain different ingredients and ratios of ingredients, you will see a different set of side effects for each one.

There will, however, be some overlap in symptoms between them.

How to Minimize Side Effects

If you want to get all of the benefits without any of the downsides, here’s what I’d recommend:

• Start with a Low Dose – When it comes to your thyroid, you always want to start low and go slow. This is especially important if you are someone who tends to be sensitive. Remember: there’s no rush. Take your time and find what dose works best for you. In my experience, the standard dosing works for about 80% of people but 10% of thyroid patients may need less than the standard dose and 10% may need more.
• Take with Food – Taking your T3 supplement with food will help minimize any indigestion that can occur with certain ingredients like zinc and botanicals, which tend to be harder on the stomach. Even though it’s generally preferred to take your supplements without food, it’s better to take them with food than not at all, even if their effects are slightly diminished.
• Monitor Your Symptoms – Always pay attention to how you are feeling. If you don’t notice any difference after 4-6 weeks, increase your dose. If you feel a little too on edge after the same period of time, drop your dose by 50%.
• Work with a Doctor – Even though T3 supplements are powerful, they won’t take the place of T3 thyroid medications like liothyronine and Cytomel. If you feel you need an extra boost or if you feel you have special circumstances that require extra care, don’t be afraid to see a doctor.

Your Next Steps

If you are someone who has been struggling to feel better despite taking your thyroid medication faithfully, then it’s probably a good idea to look into T3 support supplements.

One reason they are so effective is that many thyroid patients suffer from thyroid conversion issues.

But there are many treatments and therapies that you can use to naturally increase your T3 level aside from just the use of supplements.

You can find a list of those here.