#27 10 Important Tips for Taking Synthroid: Dosing, Side Effects, T3 Medications & More
Today is all about Synthroid. If you take this medication then you'll want to learn more about these 10 tips and tricks that you can use to help feel better.
Synthroid is one of the most common thyroid medications used to treat hypothyroidism but it's not without problems.
These tips are designed to help you find your optimal dose, help you understand if you are absorbing Synthroid, help you figure out if you need a new medication and more.
10 Tips to know when taking Synthroid:
#1. Peripheral T4 to T3 conversion
First off, you need to understand that Synthroid contains the inactive thyroid hormone T4. This means that in order for thyroid hormone to be utilized in your body it must first be activated through peripheral thyroid conversion. Several factors including genetics, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies and so on can impact this process. There are situations in which you may be taking enough Synthroid but your body is not able to activate it.
#2. Absorption of Synthroid
In order for your body to use Synthroid, it must also be absorbed in your intestinal tract! Several medications, supplements, and even foods can impact how much you absorb. Do your best to take Synthroid away from supplements such as Calcium and Iron which can limit absorption.
#3. Are supplements helping or hurting you?
Some supplements can decrease absorption but there are others that can help. The use of Selenium and Zinc can help your body activate Synthroid after it is absorbed.
#4. The time of day that you take Synthroid
Synthroid can be safely taken in the morning but it can also be taken at night. Studies have shown that patients who take it in the evening actually have higher free T4 and free T3!
#5. Levothyroxine vs Synthroid: Are they the same?
Levothyroxine and Synthroid both contain the same active ingredient but they are not considered bio-equivalents. Some patients do better on Synthroid over Levothyroxine so switching which one you take can impact how you feel.
#6. Tirosint
Tirosint is another T4 only medication but it is unique because it has the fewest inactive ingredients. Tirosint is more expensive than Synthroid but it can be used in cases where you may be reacting to fillers or dyes in Synthroid.
#7. Dosage
In order for Synthroid to work properly you must be getting an adequate dose. You can ensure that you get a high enough dose by following all of the thyroid lab tests (more info below).
#8. Switching to NDT or T3 medication
Your thyroid naturally produces both T4 and T3 but Synthroid only has T4. In some cases, you may need to switch medications or add T3 in order to feel better.
#9. The full thyroid lab panel
While monitoring your dose you need to be looking at more than just the TSH. If you take Synthroid you should be looking at the following tests:
- TSH
- Free T3
- Total T3
- Free T4
- Reverse T3
These tests will give you an idea as to how your body is utilizing Synthroid.
#10. Synthroid side effects
Lastly, make sure that you watch our for the side effects of Synthroid which include:
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Heart palpitations
- Rashes
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Hot flashes
- Changes in menstrual cycle
Any of these side effects may indicate you need to switch medications!
You can learn more about high-quality supplements that I create (and personally use) here:
https://www.restartmed.com/shop/
More information, including links to literary studies, in the video and the full blog post, can be found here:
https://www.restartmed.com/synthroid/
Synthroid is one of the most common thyroid medications used to treat hypothyroidism but it's not without problems.
These tips are designed to help you find your optimal dose, help you understand if you are absorbing Synthroid, help you figure out if you need a new medication and more.
10 Tips to know when taking Synthroid:
#1. Peripheral T4 to T3 conversion
First off, you need to understand that Synthroid contains the inactive thyroid hormone T4. This means that in order for thyroid hormone to be utilized in your body it must first be activated through peripheral thyroid conversion. Several factors including genetics, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies and so on can impact this process. There are situations in which you may be taking enough Synthroid but your body is not able to activate it.
#2. Absorption of Synthroid
In order for your body to use Synthroid, it must also be absorbed in your intestinal tract! Several medications, supplements, and even foods can impact how much you absorb. Do your best to take Synthroid away from supplements such as Calcium and Iron which can limit absorption.
#3. Are supplements helping or hurting you?
Some supplements can decrease absorption but there are others that can help. The use of Selenium and Zinc can help your body activate Synthroid after it is absorbed.
#4. The time of day that you take Synthroid
Synthroid can be safely taken in the morning but it can also be taken at night. Studies have shown that patients who take it in the evening actually have higher free T4 and free T3!
#5. Levothyroxine vs Synthroid: Are they the same?
Levothyroxine and Synthroid both contain the same active ingredient but they are not considered bio-equivalents. Some patients do better on Synthroid over Levothyroxine so switching which one you take can impact how you feel.
#6. Tirosint
Tirosint is another T4 only medication but it is unique because it has the fewest inactive ingredients. Tirosint is more expensive than Synthroid but it can be used in cases where you may be reacting to fillers or dyes in Synthroid.
#7. Dosage
In order for Synthroid to work properly you must be getting an adequate dose. You can ensure that you get a high enough dose by following all of the thyroid lab tests (more info below).
#8. Switching to NDT or T3 medication
Your thyroid naturally produces both T4 and T3 but Synthroid only has T4. In some cases, you may need to switch medications or add T3 in order to feel better.
#9. The full thyroid lab panel
While monitoring your dose you need to be looking at more than just the TSH. If you take Synthroid you should be looking at the following tests:
- TSH
- Free T3
- Total T3
- Free T4
- Reverse T3
These tests will give you an idea as to how your body is utilizing Synthroid.
#10. Synthroid side effects
Lastly, make sure that you watch our for the side effects of Synthroid which include:
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Heart palpitations
- Rashes
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Hot flashes
- Changes in menstrual cycle
Any of these side effects may indicate you need to switch medications!
You can learn more about high-quality supplements that I create (and personally use) here:
https://www.restartmed.com/shop/
More information, including links to literary studies, in the video and the full blog post, can be found here:
https://www.restartmed.com/synthroid/
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