What happens after I get my results?

You'll receive detailed doctor notes in simple language explaining what your Reverse T3 levels mean for your energy, metabolism, and thyroid function. These notes include personalized recommendations like dietary adjustments, stress management techniques, supplement suggestions, or whether you should follow up with an endocrinologist. You'll also get the standard lab report and can track your Reverse T3 levels over time using our trends feature to monitor how your interventions are working.

Who should consider getting this test?

This test is particularly useful for people with persistent fatigue and metabolism issues despite normal TSH and thyroid hormone levels. It's also valuable for those dealing with chronic illness, recovering from severe stress or trauma, anyone following a very low-calorie diet, or people with symptoms of hypothyroidism whose standard thyroid tests don't explain their symptoms.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Common signs include ongoing fatigue even after getting enough sleep, difficulty losing weight despite diet and exercise efforts, feeling mentally foggy or having trouble concentrating, and experiencing cold intolerance or low body temperature. Other symptoms include hair loss, dry skin, depression, or feeling like your metabolism has slowed down, especially if your regular thyroid tests have come back normal.

How can I naturally support healthy Reverse T3 levels?

Managing stress through meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help normalize Reverse T3 levels. Ensuring adequate selenium intake through foods like Brazil nuts, eggs, and fish supports healthy thyroid hormone conversion. Getting sufficient sleep, avoiding extreme calorie restriction, and treating any underlying chronic conditions or infections are also important. Regular moderate exercise and maintaining stable blood sugar levels can further support balanced thyroid function.

What is Reverse T3 and why does it matter?

Reverse T3 is an inactive form of thyroid hormone that your body produces as a way to slow down metabolism during times of stress, illness, or low calorie intake. When Reverse T3 levels get too high, it can block your active thyroid hormone from working properly, leading to symptoms like fatigue and weight gain even if your other thyroid tests look normal. It's essentially your body's brake pedal on metabolism, and understanding your levels helps explain why you might feel hypothyroid despite normal test results.

What does high Reverse T3 mean?

High Reverse T3 typically indicates that your body is converting too much of your thyroid hormone into the inactive form, which can happen during chronic stress, illness, severe dieting, or inflammation. This means less active thyroid hormone is available to your cells, which can cause symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and feeling cold. High Reverse T3 often explains why someone feels hypothyroid even when their TSH and T4 levels appear normal.

How often should I retest my Reverse T3 levels?

If you're making lifestyle changes or working with a healthcare provider to address elevated Reverse T3, retesting every 8-12 weeks allows you to track your progress. Once your levels normalize and symptoms improve, testing every 6-12 months helps ensure they remain stable. If you're dealing with ongoing chronic illness or high stress, your healthcare provider may recommend more frequent monitoring to adjust your treatment approach.