Thyroid Strong™: Protect the T3

Did you know that about 90% of the hormone released by the thyroid gland is in the T4 form? This is actually the inactive form. Approximately 60% of the thyroid hormone T4 will be converted to the active thyroid hormone T3. The liver, kidneys, and glial cells in the brain are responsible for this conversion. Another 20% will be converted into reverse T3, which is also an inactive form of thyroid hormone.

These conversions to activate T4 are dependent on a group of enzymes called deiodinases. There are three types of deiodinases, and they are found throughout different body tissues in the periphery.

These enzymes react dynamically to oxidative stress, and those reactions can alter thyroid hormone metabolism. In other words, the more oxidative stress you have, the greater the rate of inactivation of T3.

N-Acetyl Cysteine, Zinc, and Selenium all play roles in preventing this inactivation and protecting T3 in its active state. Once again, we can’t rely on iodine alone, as it will not address the vulnerability of T3 in our body tissues and cells.