Thyroid Medication and Treatment
519 associated posts. These are attributed summaries; original text remains at the linked X post and in the local archive.
- @lowmegatron · 2025-10-01 original
Author asserts that thyroid hormone regulates energy and that energy determines everything. The quoted post, from another account, is an anecdote that the user became less prone to sickness after starting thyroid supplementation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-02 own thread gap
lowmegatron promotes his Hypothyroid Masterclass course, which he says teaches practical testing, nutrition and dosing concepts and includes a support community.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-02 original
The author reports that in women with Hashimoto's taking levothyroxine, one year of 2,000 IU/day vitamin D lowered TPO antibodies by about 30% and TgAb by about 25%. They were not vitamin D deficient at the start. The embedded post quotes Ray Peat on TSH, prolactin, calcium and vitamin D.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-03 original
A bracketed question about Armour thyroid is followed by a quoted joking answer about once buying a barrel of the powder and finding it very good. It is followed by laughing emojis.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-05 original
Author states that taste and smell disturbances affect about 80% of hypothyroid patients and usually reverse with proper treatment. A long quoted passage from an unnamed clinical paper says taste defects may help explain reduced food intake in hypothyroidism. It also says the disturbances generally improved after thyroid hormone replacement.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-06 original
The author says thyroid hormones, specifically levothyroxine, help lower Hashimoto's antibodies and thyroid inflammation. Excerpts from three named papers are quoted in support. The author adds that levothyroxine plus TSH testing is usually not the best approach and that treatment focused on T3 activity will likely work even better.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-06 original
The post shares a Ray Peat quote linking migraine to hypothyroidism, high serotonin, and intestinal irritation. In the quote, active thyroid hormone (T3) lowers serotonin and T3 is effective against migraines at the right dose. The embedded quoted post (lowmegatron) says linoleic acid from seed oils is elevated in migraine and raises PGE2 and serotonin.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-06 original
The post says JFK was diagnosed hypothyroid in 1955 and used T3-only treatment. It quotes medical-history sources and describes basal metabolic rate (BMR) testing as avoiding pitfalls of thyroid/TSH blood tests. It also quotes Werner and Ingbar and Broda Barnes on BMR and basal temperature testing. The embedded post (lowmegatron) discusses an FDA intent to ban natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) and NDT composition.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-07 original
The sharing account reposts an excerpt from a quoted user's account of starting Armour thyroid and then T3. The quoted user reports warmer body temperature, more energy, and relief from anxiety, ADHD, paranoia, depression and brain fog.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-07 original
An excerpt from Kathleen Stewart's Substack email exchange with Ray Peat. The writer describes true hypoglycemia and suspected glucuronidation problems, and Peat replies that these are all signs of hypothyroidism and that a thyroid product lacking thyroid tissue may not raise temperature and pulse.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-08 original
The post quotes Ray Peat recalling childhood migraines, myopia and apparent hypothyroidism among nearsighted girls. The embedded lowmegatron post quotes Peat on serotonin, thyroid hormone, intestinal inflammation and migraine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-08 original
Author reports that near-infrared light therapy in Hashimoto's patients was followed by lower T4 requirements, lower TPOAb and higher thyroid echogenicity. The post describes it as a follow-up to a pilot study and gives the light parameters and session schedule.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-08 original
Author reports a 6-year follow-up of a human RCT in which levothyroxine/T4 requirements stayed reduced in the light-therapy group vs placebo. Author says no long-term risk was found, but that things worsened after treatment stopped.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-08 original
Author says light therapy plus supplements beat supplements alone in a Turkish human study of Hashimoto's, with higher T3, higher T3/T4 ratio, lower TPOAb and lower L-thyroxin dose. The post gives the laser protocol and comments on the supplements used.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-08 original
Post shares Ray Peat quotes saying T2 works practically like T3, and that digesting desiccated thyroid product releases T4, T3 and some T2. The quoted post from texugodum3l says 'T3 is not the end my fellow peaters'.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-09 original
Author claims light is the most effective treatment for Hashimoto's, listing improvements including lower TSH, antibodies and inflammation, and says 47% no longer needed thyroid medication, if done correctly. Says research will follow in a thread.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-09 own thread
lowmegatron reports a 2010 pilot study of light therapy in Hashimoto's-related hypothyroidism. He cites a 60% reduction in T4 needs, 47% discontinuing medication, a 40% drop in TPOAb, and normal thyroid vascularization in a quarter of participants, with two sessions per week for 5 weeks.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-09 own thread
lowmegatron says a follow-up RCT confirmed and expanded the pilot results. He reports 47% stopping thyroid medication, a 58% average reduction in T4 needs, a 49% drop in TPOAb, 95% reducing T4, and 95% increased echogenicity, which he interprets as healthier thyroid tissue.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-09 own thread
lowmegatron says levothyroxine/T4 needs stayed lower for years after light therapy compared with placebo, but that medication requirements crept back up over time, so it is "not a one-and-done."
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-09 own thread
lowmegatron claims light therapy outperformed selenium, vitamin D and iron in Hashimoto's. He reports T3 up 54%, T3/T4 ratio up 44%, TPOAb down 73%, and T4 needs down 50%.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-10 own thread
lowmegatron promotes his Hypothyroid Masterclass, a video course with a support community. It covers hypothyroidism, blood tests, autoimmunity, T3 conversion, supplementing T4, NDT or T3, nutrition, iron, iodine and selenium, PUFA, stress and drugs affecting thyroid hormones.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-12 original
Author states treatment-resistant depression occurs when its cause is not treated, quoting a case report of a woman whose mood and cognition improved with T3 liothyronine. The embedded quoted post from EndoMedChem summarizes the same case.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-13 original
The author claims hypothyroidism activates the sympathetic nervous system, raising cortisol (+60%), adrenaline, noradrenaline and aldosterone (doubled), with downstream effects on blood pressure, blood sugar and mood. Thyroid hormone replacement reversed the activation and lowered diastolic blood pressure, citing PMID 11994331.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-13 original
The author posts 'Winter is coming.' with an image, quoting a post that asks whether more thyroid hormone is needed in winter and requests shares for numbers. No substantive health claim is made.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-13 original
The author promotes the Hypothyroid Masterclass, a video course with a support community, aimed at people whose thyroid labs are 'normal' but who feel hypothyroid. The post lists the course modules. The quoted post is only a link.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-13 original
The author argues that standard hypothyroidism treatment suppresses TSH without relieving symptoms and produces misleading blood tests. They support this with a quoted passage from a paper saying many patients need T4 doses that lower or suppress TSH to restore T3 levels and clinical euthyroidism. The embedded quoted post from lowmegatron says TSH/T4 tests can miss downstream thyroid hormone problems.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-15 original
The author quotes a 1967 J Clin Endocrinol paper reporting decreased stage 3 and 4 sleep in hypothyroidism, with an increase after desiccated thyroid treatment in four of seven patients re-studied. The embedded post by MichaelLexner is an n=1 anecdote about taking T3 before bed and not waking to urinate.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-15 original
Author presents a graph of symptom-questionnaire scores for people switched from levothyroxine/T4 to natural desiccated thyroid (NDT), reporting 90% improved, 6% unchanged and 3% deteriorated. Author claims levo/T4 suppresses TSH but often leaves T3 inadequate, and that NDT's benefit is due to its T3. Quotes a paper noting NDT's potential benefit in selected symptomatic patients after careful consideration.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-15 original
Author asserts that standard tests miss a lot in people with slow metabolism and 'normal' thyroid labs, that levothyroxine rarely restores active thyroid hormone, and that hormone conversion is often ignored. Promotes their hypothyroidism video course and community.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-15 original
Author shares patient testimonials, attributed to PMID 38260143, describing improvements in mood, sleep, energy, focus and daily function after switching from levothyroxine to NDT, with several patients reporting severe symptoms on levothyroxine. One patient notes a sweet spot between too little and too much NDT.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-15 original
Ray Peat quote claims hypothyroid people do not reach deep restorative sleep, and the post adds a 1967 EEG study abstract reporting reduced stage 3 and 4 sleep in 7 hypothyroid patients, with an increase after desiccated thyroid therapy in 4 of them.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-16 original
The author shares a patient report of improvement after switching from levothyroxine to NDT, including clearer eczema, no more hair loss, and less fatigue, dry skin and constipation. He claims NDT's effects differ from levothyroxine because of its T3 content, and that people who don't recover on levothyroxine can't make enough T3 from it.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-16 original
A Ray Peat quotation says inadequate deep sleep impairs tissue repair, and that thyroid hormone and vitamin D are key for maintaining deep sleep. The embedded lowmegatron post adds Peat's claim about hypothyroid sleep and a 1967 EEG study of 7 hypothyroid patients showing reduced stage 3 and 4 sleep, which increased after desiccated thyroid in 4 patients.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-17 original
The author claims T3 enters the brain about three times more efficiently than T4, quoting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) percentages, and that low T4-to-T3 conversion may leave less T3 in the brain. The embedded lowmegatron post says higher T3:T4 ratios are sometimes needed for brain symptoms, quoting Ray Peat.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-17 original
Author explains that the heart's energy comes mainly from oxidative metabolism, which they say depends on thyroid hormone T3. They state that cardiac work (Stroke Work Index) is lower in hypothyroidism and improves with thyroid hormone replacement, and quote a passage attributed to PMID 10843159. The embedded quoted post by lowmegatron links T3 to heart rate and says overtraining and stress lower T3 or its conversion.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-17 original
Author links CFS/ME to low thyroid hormone activity. They share a testimonial from Paul Robinson (recovery with T3 after being dismissed or misdiagnosed) and a quoted study excerpt reporting lower free T3 and a shift toward rT3 in CFS. They assert that CFS can be caused by hypothyroidism and that medical ignorance of T3 leads to misdiagnosis, while adding that CFS likely has multiple causes.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-18 original
The author claims hypothyroidism shrinks the thymus, and that thymic involution attributed to aging is caused by estrogen, cortisol and low thyroid hormone. The post quotes Ray Peat and a rat study excerpt (PMID 7954684). The embedded lowmegatron post says cortisol shrinks the thymus, citing PMID 4669870.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-18 original
The author asserts that standard thyroid tests miss low metabolism, that levothyroxine rarely restores active thyroid hormone, and that thyroid hormone conversion is often ignored. The post invites readers to buy their hypothyroidism course. The quoted lowmegatron post contains only a link.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-19 original
Post quotes Ray Peat saying stress-suppressed thyroid function may not respond to synthetic T4 because stress can block T4-to-T3 conversion. The embedded post from lowmegatron claims stress causes hidden hypothyroidism that often goes undetected on blood tests.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-19 original
Post quotes a clinical thyroidology article arguing hypothyroidism should be defined by insufficient tissue T3 effect, with symptoms plus FT4 and FT3 as best indicators and TSH unreliable. The embedded post from lowmegatron shares patient reports of improvement on NDT versus levothyroxine and claims about why NDT differs.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-19 original
Post shares patient testimonial quotations about switching from levothyroxine to NDT, reporting more energy, motivation, clearer thinking and reduced brain fog, citing PMID 38260143. The embedded post adds further patient reports of improved mood, sleep and function on NDT versus levothyroxine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-19 original
Author states hypothyroidism can cause Raynaud's, explaining that thyroid hormone supports oxidative metabolism, raising carbon dioxide and heat, with CO2 acting as a vasodilator. It quotes a case report of a man with primary hypothyroidism whose Raynaud's symptoms disappeared after T4 replacement.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-20 original
The author shares a Ray Peat quote linking low thyroid function inflammation to vitamin D deficiency. It says TSH and parathyroid hormone promote inflammatory processes, and that vitamin D, more calcium or less phosphate relative to calcium lower both hormones. A paper title on L-thyroxine and chronic urticaria is appended. The embedded post by lowmegatron says TSH/T4 tests are blind to downstream thyroid hormone issues.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-21 original
The post advertises the Hypothyroid Masterclass, described as teaching practical testing, nutrition and dosing concepts with a support community, and lists its video modules. The embedded quoted post from lowmegatron contains only an emoji and a t.co link.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-22 original
The author shares a patient report of feeling better on NDT than on levothyroxine, with improved energy, sleep, skin and brain fog. He attributes the difference to NDT's added T3, which he says also helps kickstart T4 conversion.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-22 original
Author quotes a passage from a study titled 'All Night Sleep Studies in Hypothyroid Patients, Before and After Treatment'. The passage says stages 3 and 4 sleep are decreased in hypothyroidism and that desiccated thyroid may increase them. The embedded quoted post from lowmegatron pairs a Ray Peat quote on hypothyroid sleep quality with the full study abstract (J Clin Endor 27:1593, 1967).
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-23 original
The posting account says levothyroxine-treated patients are more likely to be depressed when TSH is above 2.5. It quotes a study that proposes 2.5 mU/L as a cut-off for depressive symptoms in T4-treated hypothyroid patients. The account adds that the brain needs enough T3, that many people convert levothyroxine to T3 poorly, and that levothyroxine can lower TSH while tissues remain starved of T3. The embedded quote describes a treatment-resistant depression case that responded to T3 (liothyronine) augmentation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-23 original
The author invites readers to join a Hypothyroid Masterclass group that has 30 videos and a support group. The post lists topics covered: the thyroid system, disorders caused by low T3, hormone metabolism, medications, and diet and stress effects.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-25 original
Author promotes their Hypothyroid Masterclass, a 30-video course with a support group covering the thyroid system, low-thyroid diseases, hormone metabolism, thyroid medications, and diet and stress effects. The quoted lowmegatron post contains only a link.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-26 own thread
lowmegatron describes a 3-month study of 70 women with Hashimoto's antibodies, all on T4. Half received 200 mcg sodium selenite daily and half a placebo. He reports normal antibodies in 25% of the selenium group versus 6% of the placebo group, and a 34% versus 12% fall in TPO antibodies. Thyroid hormones were unchanged. He calls this a '4x remission rate' and quotes the authors' conclusion.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-26 own thread
lowmegatron claims selenium may help autoimmune hyperthyroidism. He says patients given antioxidants including selenium alongside anti-thyroid drugs reached normal hormone levels faster, and that Graves' status correlates with blood selenium. He cites a Graves' orbitopathy trial of 200 μg/day sodium selenite with improved quality of life (over 70% vs 22%) and orbital lesions (61% vs 35%).
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-26 own thread
lowmegatron promotes his Hypothyroid Masterclass, a course covering testing, nutrition and dosing with a support community, and lists its on-demand video modules. Modules include thyroid blood tests, T4/NDT/T3 supplementation, iodine and selenium, PUFA and FFA, and drugs that affect thyroid hormones.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-27 original
The author presents a severe myxoedema coma case before and after treatment. Features were hypothermia, kidney failure and TSH >100, and the patient was treated with hydrocortisone and levothyroxine and survived. The quoted case report links the multiorgan dysfunction to severe T3 depletion.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-28 original
The post quotes an article on hypothyroidism presenting with psychiatric symptoms (cognitive dysfunction, affective disorders, psychosis), and a historical case report of a woman whose hallucinations and appearance improved within weeks of thyroid treatment. The embedded post is from KruseYouri: 'Thyroid therapy for people in mental clinics'.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-29 original
The author says CFS patients tend to have lower T3 and higher reverse T3 with normal TSH. They interpret this as a thyroid hormone conversion problem and low thyroid hormone activity, and say TSH is useless for identifying deficiency in sick people. An unnamed quoted passage says tissue T3 may be severely reduced. The embedded post from lowmegatron adds a personal T3 recovery anecdote and a study excerpt calling for confirmation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-29 own thread
lowmegatron promotes his Hypothyroid Masterclass group as a clear, no-nonsense guide. He says it covers the thyroid system, disorders caused by low T3, hormone metabolism, medications, and how diet and stress affect test numbers, with 30 videos and a support group.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-31 original
Author explains natural desiccated thyroid (NDT): it contains T4 and T3 (about 4-5 times more T4), is dosed in grains, and is sold under many brands. Author says it works well for many people, and that synthetic combinations usually work as well and are more reliable and often cheaper.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-10-31 original
The author says treating hypothyroidism resolved nasal congestion within 1 month in a study. NOSE scores were reported as perfect and PNIF improved by 21% in men and 11% in women. The author attributes the congestion to mucopolysaccharide buildup and notes the study used levothyroxine (T4), which may not resolve all symptoms.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-01 own thread
lowmegatron invites readers who want more information to take his course, which he says covers hypothyroidism in detail, and gives a link.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-01 original
The post claims hypothyroidism causes low sperm count, low testosterone, low libido and high prolactin, and that correcting it doubles testosterone, increases sperm count, lowers prolactin and improves libido. It quotes a study excerpt on hypothyroid men treated with thyroxine. An embedded earlier post claims hypothyroidism activates the sympathetic nervous system and raises stress hormones and blood pressure, reversible with thyroid hormone.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-04 original
Author says improving thyroid status with levothyroxine reversed high blood pressure in 50% of patients in a study of very hypothyroid people, quoting the study's results. The embedded post says potassium can lower high blood pressure.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-04 original
Author asks for personal experiences with thyroid glandular in the UK.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-04 original
The post quotes a paper (PMID 40649019) stating that roughly one-third of people with recent-onset hypothyroidism have migraine-like headaches that mostly improve after levothyroxine, and that migraine is associated with higher TSH. It also quotes pituitary hormone deficiencies being linked to lower headache prevalence. The embedded quoted post from lowmegatron relays Ray Peat's view that hypothyroidism raises serotonin, contributing to migraines, and that T3 can counter this.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-04 original
The post quotes Ray Peat saying that insomnia can reflect a hypothyroid, fatigued brain that cannot fully relax, and that active thyroid hormone, magnesium and sugar restore brain energy and help sleep come on. The embedded quoted post from lowmegatron quotes a sleep study stating that stages 3 and 4 sleep are decreased in hypothyroidism and that desiccated thyroid treatment may increase them.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-05 original
The author claims severely depressed people have low thyroid hormone. They quote a study suggesting subclinical hypothyroidism in most patients, which may explain nonresponse to antidepressants. They argue that TSH is a misleading proxy and that ignoring T3 leads to misdiagnosis. The quoted lowmegatron post links TSH above 2.5 to depression in levothyroxine-treated patients.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-05 original
The author gives a history of animal thyroid treatment for hypothyroidism, from Murray's 1891 injections to natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) and synthetic T4 and T3. They list improvements after three months of treatment and claim that lab-range errors and T4-only medication now make treatment less effective. The quoted lowmegatron post links hypothyroidism and elevated TSH to migraine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-05 original
The author claims pregnenolone increases deep sleep, which is essential for testosterone production in men. The post quotes study excerpts on 1 mg oral pregnenolone increasing slow wave sleep and on lower morning salivary testosterone when deep sleep was suppressed. The embedded post quotes a paper reporting decreased stage 3 and 4 sleep in hypothyroidism, possibly increased by desiccated thyroid.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-07 original
The post shares a Ray Peat quote saying that traces of allergens in foods or supplements can cause nasal congestion, and that a single dose can keep producing congestion for days depending on intestinal transit time. The embedded lowmegatron post claims that treating hypothyroidism with levothyroxine resolved nasal congestion in a study, based on NOSE scores and PNIF.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-10 original
The post quotes Ray Peat answering a question about valerian, GABA channels and insomnia. Peat calls the mechanism good and the drug safe but potentially habit-forming, and describes thyroid helping relaxation and sleep, including an anecdote about giving a doctor Cytomel. The embedded quoted post from lowmegatron quotes a sleep study on hypothyroid patients.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-12 original
The author proposes that TSH may be a cause of migraine. They cite quoted findings that TSH-deficient patients report fewer headaches and that subclinical hypothyroid patients have higher lifetime migraine prevalence. The embedded lowmegatron post links hypothyroidism, pituitary hormone deficiencies and migraine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-12 own thread gap
lowmegatron quotes advice that high-magnesium foods are best and that thyroid should be started slowly so tissues can absorb magnesium. The quote adds that Ca, Na and K have antistress effects that spare magnesium.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-12 original
The author shares an unnamed woman's account of years of failed SIBO treatment. She reports improvement after starting T3 once a low T3 was found despite 'normal' TSH and free T4. The author adds that hypothyroidism is linked to SIBO, citing a Ray Peat quote, an '11x' figure and a PMID-cited quote.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-13 own thread
lowmegatron promotes his Hypothyroid Masterclass, described as 30 videos plus a support group. It is said to cover the thyroid system, diseases of low thyroid, hormone metabolism, thyroid meds, and diet and stress.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-13 original
The post quotes Ray Peat's account of a hypothyroid woman given increasing T4 doses who developed myxedema coma with undetectable T3, and who recovered with intravenous T3. Peat criticizes T4 prescribing monitored by TSH suppression rather than symptoms. The author adds that T4-only treatment in poor converters probably starves the brain of thyroid hormone, citing monkey data and myxedema coma papers favoring T3.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-15 original
The author reports a Danish register study finding higher adjusted risk of suicide (HR 1.31) and unknown-cause death (HR 1.65) in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In their opinion this is mostly due to inadequate treatment, and they advise optimizing T3, correcting basal temperature, and not relying on TSH alone. The embedded post from lowmegatron cites a study on T3 substitution and mood.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-16 original
Post shares a Ray Peat quote linking GERD to disturbed gut muscle action and factors including high estrogen, serotonin, prostaglandins, low thyroid, inflammation and small-intestine bacterial overgrowth, suggesting a daily raw carrot. It adds two quoted abstracts (PMID 38803365, PMID 7119407) linking hypothyroidism to esophageal motility problems and reflux.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-17 original
Author criticizes the omission of the thyroid hormone T3, calling it 'insanity'. The post quotes a Medscape post saying overtreating mild or subclinical hypothyroidism in older adults may be more harmful than helpful.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-17 original
Author lists gastrointestinal manifestations of hypothyroidism and quotes a paper (PMID 38803365) saying gastric dysmotility often improves with thyroid hormone replacement and that thyroid function should be evaluated in patients with GI complaints. The quoted post adds a Ray Peat GERD quote and a case report.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-19 original
The author claims low thyroid activity raises serotonin and histamine, causing itching. The post quotes Broda Barnes on winter itch in hypothyroid patients responding to thyroid therapy. An embedded lowmegatron post links seasonal thyroid sluggishness to reduced near-infrared (NIRA) light and Hashimoto's.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-20 original
The post quotes Ray Peat linking reduced deep slow-wave sleep in hypothyroidism, old age, schizophrenia and depression to serotonin and torpor-like brain-stress states. The embedded post quotes Peat plus a 1967 study of EEG sleep in hypothyroid patients, with slow-wave sleep increasing after desiccated thyroid.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-20 own thread
lowmegatron says T3 supplementation has antidepressant effects that track with improved brain energy in people with antidepressant-resistant depression. He quotes a source saying T3 augmentation of SSRIs correlates with changes in brain bioenergetic metabolism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-20 own thread
lowmegatron claims TSH is influenced by stress and diet independent of T3 status, and that T4 is not a great way to optimise T3. He cites a study identifying a TSH of 2.5 mU/L as the optimal cutoff for predicting depression symptoms in T4-treated hypothyroid patients, versus the usual upper cutoff of about 4.5.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-20 own thread
lowmegatron claims T3 can help treatment-resistant depression even when thyroid blood tests are normal. He quotes a case report of a perimenopausal woman with failed antidepressant trials who was given liothyronine and reported improved mood within 4 weeks, with thyroid labs staying normal.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-20 own thread
lowmegatron says high-dose T4 has been used in bipolar depression. He argues that T4-only treatment is not ideal for optimizing T3 because of conversion issues, but that the results show levothyroxine can still improve outcomes. He quotes a study concluding that supraphysiologic thyroid hormone improves depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-20 own thread
lowmegatron argues that null trials of thyroid hormone in depression are uninformative because they use fixed or TSH-based dosing and do not address suboptimal T3. He compares this to giving T1D patients the same insulin dose. He cites a report dosing T4+T3 to an upper-range free T3 and a TT3/RT3 ratio of 10:1 or better, with an average 46% improvement in depression, and quotes a clinician's case of a thyroidectomy patient whose fatigue and depression resolved.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-20 own thread
lowmegatron claims that adding T3 to T4, even without individualized dosing, can improve mood and cognition in hypothyroid patients. He quotes a study in which several cognitive and mood scores were better after T4 plus T3 than after T4 alone.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-20 own thread
lowmegatron summarizes his thread: he claims low T3 activity is implicated in depression, that T3 is needed for glucose oxidation, and that basic TSH/T4 testing and treatment are inadequate for assessing T3 status. He recommends patient-tailored approaches using T3, reverse T3, symptoms and basal temperature. He adds caveats that low T3 is not the only cause of depression and that thyroid hormones, especially T3, should not be taken carelessly. A numbered reference list is included.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-21 original
Author shares a Facebook commenter's anecdote (posted with permission) about depression and feelings of helplessness after a thyroid crash with low T3. The commenter says starting Cynoplus with extra T3 lifted the depression quickly. The commenter also claims many women have inadequate T3. The embedded post says depression is a low brain energy state that can be caused by low thyroid hormone.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-21 original
The post author explains non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) and says metabolic rate and thyroid hormone T3 strongly influence it. They say higher NEAT helps prevent fat gain, and that hyperthyroid rats and humans move more while hypothyroid rats and women move less. The embedded quoted post from lowmegatron argues that low T3 activity is implicated in depression and that standard TSH/T4 testing is inadequate. It adds cautions about thyroid hormone use.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-22 original
Author shares a Ray Peat quotation describing his own experience with desiccated thyroid, which he says brought pleasure and a wish to smile. He also describes suicidal women using thyroid or progesterone, who he says changed from weeping to smiling within hours. The embedded lowmegatron post claims depression is a low-brain-energy state that can be caused by low thyroid hormone.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-22 original
The author shares an anonymous Facebook comment, posted with permission, describing a couple's reported results from T3 thyroid hormone. The commenter reports resolution of calcification/sclerosis, myxedema, psoriasis, PMDD and high cholesterol, among other changes. The quoted post from lowmegatron discusses high-dose T4 in bipolar depression.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-23 original
Ray Peat, quoted by the author, suggests pregnenolone avoids the risk of DHEA converting to estrogen when thyroid function is low. He says a small amount of Armour thyroid could quickly lower cholesterol and probably help testosterone, and recommends shellfish, low-fat fish, eggs, liver, cooked potatoes with butter or cream, fruit and cooked greens for nutrients.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-23 original
The post says thyroid hormone (T4) replacement roughly doubled free and total testosterone and halved prolactin in hypothyroid men. It quotes the study's conclusion that primary hypothyroidism can cause reversible hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. The author adds that the men were still far from optimal and that more progress was possible. The embedded quoted post (lowmegatron) gives a Ray Peat quote on low testosterone and high cortisol.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-23 original
The post says hypothyroidism decreases testosterone and testicular weight. It quotes a rat study of experimentally induced hypothyroidism, which reported lower testosterone and body and testes weight with no change in LH and FSH. The embedded quoted post is the earlier human T4 replacement study post by lowmegatron.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-24 original
The author says SIBO and IBS can be caused by hypothyroidism and that levothyroxine absorption is reduced by all three conditions. They cite a study reporting that switching from tablet to liquid levothyroxine improved GI symptoms and TSH in patients with SIBO. They argue that dosing to a normal TSH is inadequate and that correcting T3 would improve outcomes more. The embedded lowmegatron post shares an anecdote of SIBO resolving after T3 treatment and adds hypothyroidism-SIBO claims.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-24 original
The author explains how menstrual-cycle timing affects basal temperature testing for thyroid status. They say hormonal birth control and HRT make the Barnes basal-temperature test unreliable. They quote Broda Barnes on using basal temperature to guide thyroid treatment and on the test's limits.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-24 original
The author advertises the Hypothyroid Masterclass, a video course with a support community, aimed at people with normal thyroid labs who still feel hypothyroid. Most of the post is a list of module topics.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-26 original
The post pairs a Ray Peat quote saying slight hypothyroidism commonly causes chronic urinary infections, because thyroid hormone and progesterone support IgA and reduce histamine resistance. It then quotes a case report of a woman with recurrent urinary tract infections and slightly raised TSH who had no recurrence for 10 months after levothyroxine 25 mcg.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-27 original
The author cites a study excerpt claiming high prolactin reduces the conversion of testosterone to DHT by 5-alpha-reductase in men. He adds that hypothyroidism doubles prolactin in men. The quoted context says thyroid hormone doubled testosterone and halved prolactin in hypothyroid men treated with T4.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-27 original
The author reports thyroid hormone downregulation in pre-eclampsia, quoting a cross-sectional study. Women with pre-eclampsia had higher TSH, lower free T3 and free T4, and more subclinical and overt hypothyroidism than normotensive women, with severity tracking thyroid dysfunction. An embedded lowmegatron post says improving thyroid status with levothyroxine reversed high blood pressure in 50% of very hypothyroid patients.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-27 original
The author says standard thyroid labs can miss a slow metabolism, that levothyroxine rarely restores active thyroid hormone, and that thyroid hormone conversion is critical but ignored. The post invites readers to the author's hypothyroidism video course and community.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-28 original
The post quotes Ray Peat saying hypothyroidism raises estrogen and nitric oxide and lowers serum osmolarity, and that several agents can correct the fluid imbalance in Ménière's disease. It adds a quoted paper excerpt associating thyroid diseases with Ménière's. The embedded earlier post gives study abstracts on thyroid hormone use, pregnancy and the menstrual cycle in Ménière's disease.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-28 original
The post quotes Ray Peat saying estrogen alters immune function, shrinks the thymus and raises antibody production, linking this to allergies. It adds a paper excerpt that estrogen treatment causes thymic atrophy. The embedded earlier post claims hypothyroidism shrinks the thymus and cites a rat study using antithyroid drugs.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-28 original
The post excerpts a case report of a 54-year-old hypothyroid woman with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation whose palpitations and AF episodes reportedly improved after 6 weeks of levothyroxine. It notes that hypothyroidism may contribute to arrhythmia and that excess thyroid hormone also causes Afib. The embedded quoted post (lowmegatron) gives a Ray Peat quote on nutrients and hormones affecting atrial fibrillation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-29 original
The author promotes the Hypothyroid Masterclass, a video course with a support community covering practical testing, nutrition and dosing concepts. The post mainly lists the module titles. The embedded lowmegatron post contains only an emoji and a link.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-11-30 original
The author states that depression is a state of low brain energy that can be caused by low thyroid hormone. The embedded lowmegatron post says depression is a common, often overlooked symptom of hypothyroidism. It says blood tests do not reflect tissue or brain status, and it quotes literature and a historical case of hypothyroid psychosis that improved with thyroid treatment.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-01 original
The author argues that in people without a thyroid, levothyroxine-only dosing suppresses TSH relative to blood and tissue T3, so TSH is a poor marker of T3 sufficiency. They cite two PMIDs (a human study on TSH-suppressive dosing and an animal thyroidectomized rat study) and explain tissue-specific T4-to-T3 conversion. An embedded lowmegatron post says TSH is misleading, with a Ray Peat quote on stress lowering TSH and a statement on fasting and glucocorticoids.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-01 original
The author argues that sleep disruption raises stress hormones and free fatty acids, which impair insulin signaling and predispose to type 2 diabetes. The post quotes a sleep-restriction study excerpt in healthy young men. The embedded quote, from lowmegatron, cites a hypothyroid sleep study on reduced stage 3 and 4 sleep and desiccated thyroid.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-03 original
Author states hypothyroidism is a cause of hyperpigmentation, supported by a Ray Peat quote linking melasma to estrogen excess, energy depletion and thyroid function, and a case report of pigmentation improving after levothyroxine. The author's 🙄 appears to express skepticism about the case report's "no apparent clinical symptoms" wording. The embedded quoted post is the earlier melasma/thyroid antibody post.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-03 original
Author claims hypothyroidism lowers testosterone, shrinks testicles and causes male infertility. Author backs this with quotes from Ray Peat and Broda Otto Barnes, rodent experiments (PTU-induced hypothyroidism, rdw rats with thyroxine treatment), a Nigerian cross-sectional study of infertile men, and a prospective controlled study on sperm morphology. The embedded quoted post claims TSH/T4 and even T3 tests are limited and that T3-activating cells matter.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-03 original
The post reproduces Ray Peat's text on learned helplessness, covering Seligman's work, Richter's rat 'hopelessness' studies and MKUltra context. It adds the statement that T3 has been identified as able to help reverse learned helplessness. It also includes a Facebook comment describing depression lifting after starting Cynoplus with extra T3.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-03 own thread gap
lowmegatron promotes his Hypothyroid Masterclass for people told their labs are normal who still feel hypothyroid. He lists on-demand modules on thyroid testing, conversion, supplementation, nutrition, stress and thyroid-affecting drugs, and mentions a support community.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-03 original
The author says vitamin C supplementation lowered TSH and improved symptoms in people on levothyroxine, citing a small proof-of-concept study. The author also says vitamin C may aid levothyroxine absorption and protect the thyroid from lipid peroxidation. The author personally thinks whole-food vitamin C is safer. The embedded quote is a Ray Peat statement on TSH.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-03 original
The author asserts that subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with insomnia and poor sleep, and that 'there is no such thing as subclinical'. The post quotes a cross-sectional study abstract, Ray Peat on T3, magnesium and sugar restoring brain energy, and an all-night sleep study in hypothyroid patients. The embedded post repeats the sleep study and Peat material.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-04 original
Post poses a question about substances or activities that help induce deep sleep and answers with a Ray Peat quote naming thyroid hormone, vitamin D, calcium and magnesium. The embedded lowmegatron post links subclinical hypothyroidism to insomnia and quotes Peat and a hypothyroid sleep study.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-05 original
The author claims zinc is overlooked in thyroid status and may independently contribute to hypothyroid hair loss. He cites studies on zinc preventing exercise-related drops in thyroid hormones, zinc opposing melatonin's thyroid suppression, and zinc raising T3. He speculates zinc helps T4-to-T3 conversion.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-05 original
Author reports a small human trial in which T3 gave greater weight loss and lower cholesterol than T4/levothyroxine at doses keeping TSH within 0.5-1.5. The author does not read this as meaning everyone needs T3 alone, saying a combination is best for most people who need thyroid hormones and that others should aim to increase thyroid hormone conversion.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-05 original
Post presents Ray Peat's claim that US doctors fail to correct hypothyroidism by prescribing T4 instead of T3, and that hypothyroid women are more likely to get cancer. It then quotes an observational study of 23 end-stage cancer patients in whom induced low T4 with T3 was associated with survival beyond expectation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-05 original
The author quotes Ray Peat on light, winter sickness and estrogen dominance. Peat claims a lack of bright light causes progesterone deficiency, leaving estrogen and prolactin unopposed. He also links this to unsaturated fats and tryptophan and says thyroid supplement needs can be four times higher in December than in July.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-08 original
The post claims hypothyroidism raises stress hormones and histamine, contributing to anxiety, hypertension, blood sugar problems and depression. It cites experimental hypothyroidism data, a T4/T3 combination therapy study and a rat mast cell study.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-09 original
The post quotes Ray Peat saying hypothyroidism causes thymus atrophy, partly from lack of thyroid hormone and partly from excess estrogen and cortisol. The embedded lowmegatron post adds thymus function context and a rat study.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-09 original
The sharing account posts a Ray Peat quote saying cold hands and feet, and oral temperature, can indicate thyroid function without a blood test, with cold extremities being the first sign of failing thyroid function. The embedded post by lowmegatron claims hypothyroidism raises stress hormones and histamine and that T3 added to T4 therapy improves anxiety, depression and quality of life.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-10 original
The post shares a quoted passage saying thyroid hormone transport across the blood-brain barrier in hypothyroid patients is clinically important but poorly understood, and that T3 may be better than T4 for myxedema coma because it crosses more rapidly and completely into cerebrospinal fluid. The embedded lowmegatron post says T4-only treatment in poor converters probably starves the brain of thyroid hormone, citing monkey experiments.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-10 original
The author shares a Facebook commenter's account of decades of CFS/ME diagnosis that the commenter says was Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. The commenter reports that T4 was nearly useless but natural desiccated thyroid gradually resolved symptoms, and urges testing FT3. The author frames it as another person misdiagnosed with CFS when the cause was low thyroid hormone. The embedded quoted post from lowmegatron claims CFS patients have lower T3 and higher reverse T3 despite normal TSH.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-10 original
The author claims hypothyroidism with fast heart rate, high blood pressure and palpitations can be caused by high TRH. The author quotes Ray Peat on TRH effects, explains that TRH is elevated in primary hypothyroidism, and quotes a pharmacology passage on TRH pressor and tachycardic effects. The embedded quoted post from lowmegatron claims hypothyroidism raises stress hormones, blood pressure and histamine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-10 original
The post quotes Ray Peat recommending carbohydrate (preferably sugar), salty foods, bedtime T3 or ice cream to reduce nighttime stress hormone reactions. It also quotes a 1967 study excerpt that hypothyroidism reduces stage 3 and 4 sleep and that desiccated thyroid may increase them. The embedded quoted post from lowmegatron links subclinical hypothyroidism to insomnia.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-11 original
Author describes a randomized, double-blind crossover trial of substituting T3 (liothyronine) for T4 (levothyroxine) in hypothyroidism. They report greater weight loss and lower LDL, total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B at equivalent TSH suppression. They add that high cholesterol usually indicates another disease process, here hypothyroidism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-13 original
Author says thyroid hormone markers differ in depression but are often ignored. Standard testing focuses on TSH and T4, yet T4 must convert to T3, and many people convert poorly. Depression is associated with low T3, and a raised TSH may be dismissed if T4 is normal. Quoted study excerpts report lower T3 and higher TSH across depression severity grades and suggest thyroid evaluation before antidepressant therapy.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-14 original
Author states hypothyroidism increases adrenaline, quoting Ray Peat on adrenaline sustaining blood sugar and body temperature while disturbing sleep and speeding the heart. A quote from PMID 4766338 says thyroid hormone depresses noradrenaline and adrenaline secretion by blocking production at the cellular level. The embedded post from lowmegatron claims experimental hypothyroidism raised stress hormones and histamine, and that adding T3 to T4 improved anxiety, depression and quality of life.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-14 original
The author says hypothyroidism nearly doubles dementia risk and that the association is worse in people on thyroid medication. They suggest T4-only medication and a lack of diet/lifestyle guidance as the likely reasons, and link lipid peroxidation from insufficient T3 to neurodegeneration. The embedded quoted post mentions a Ray Peat anecdote about dementia recovery with increased body temperature.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-15 original
The author says subclinical hypothyroidism can elevate prolactin and cause galactorrhea, and presents a quoted case report of a woman whose galactorrhea resolved and prolactin normalized after levothyroxine. The embedded quoted post begins a thread on lowering excess prolactin and lists effects of high prolactin.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-15 original
The author says obese women on levothyroxine have lower resting metabolic rates than obese women not on levothyroxine with similar TSH. They argue levo-only therapy does not fully correct metabolism and normal TSH is a poor marker of thyroid hormone metabolism. The quoted post (lowmegatron) says caloric restriction, fasting and low-carb diets reduce T3 conversion.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-15 original
The post quotes Ray Peat saying elevated TSH goes with elevated prolactin, that thyroid hormone supplementation usually corrects prolactin, and that calcium and vitamin D help balance prolactin, parathyroid hormone and cortisol. The post author adds that low thyroid hormone raises TRH, which stimulates TSH and prolactin. The embedded quoted post describes a case report of subclinical hypothyroidism with hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea that resolved on levothyroxine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-16 own thread
lowmegatron promotes his Hypothyroid Masterclass Group, listing video modules on hypothyroidism symptoms and causes, blood tests and their problems, pulse and temperature, T3 activity, autoimmunity, conversion, reverse T3, T4/NDT/T3 supplementation, nutrition (iron, iodine, selenium, PUFA), stress, and drugs affecting thyroid hormones.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-16 original
The author claims hypothyroidism raises stress hormones (cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, aldosterone) and histamine, contributing to anxiety, hypertension, blood sugar problems and depression. They cite studies in which stopping thyroid medication raised these hormones, and studies in which adding T3 to T4 improved mood and quality of life. A rat study is cited for higher mast cells and histamine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-16 original
The author describes a case report of myxedema coma in a woman with 'subclinical' hypothyroidism who was prescribed levothyroxine. She recovered after IV T3, and the author argues that lab ranges missed her condition. The report notes she may not have taken the levothyroxine. The embedded quoted post claims TSH/T4 tests are blind to downstream thyroid hormone issues and that T3-activated cells are what matter.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-16 original
The author compiles Ray Peat quotes and cited excerpts arguing that hypothyroidism or low thyroid hormone activity can drive anxiety through raised adrenaline and histamine. The post says T3 added to T4 therapy improved anxiety, depression and quality of life, and that some foods, thyroid or pregnenolone may help. An embedded post by lowmegatron repeats the same thyroid, stress-hormone and histamine claims.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-17 original
The author argues that a 1°C lower core temperature, reflecting low thyroid hormone activity, could add about 120 lb over a decade and that hypothyroidism induces a hibernation-like state. The post describes Broda Barnes's basal temperature test and BMR as thyroid indicators, with cited thresholds. The embedded Ray Peat quote criticizes TSH/T4 reference ranges and the history of the protein-bound iodine test.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-17 original
The author claims hypothyroidism causes constipation, citing Ray Peat and a paper reporting a 72% improvement in constipation with T3 plus T4 versus levothyroxine alone. A quoted case describes a 71-year-old woman whose symptoms, including hair loss, improved on T3 and worsened on levothyroxine only.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-18 original
The author presents a case report of myxedema coma in 'subclinical' hypothyroidism: body temperature 93°F, heart rate 58, TSH 59 with a 'normal' free T4; after T4, T3 and hydrocortisone, temperature rose to 98°F and heart rate exceeded 72 over seven days.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-19 original
The post shares a Ray Peat quote saying regular sleep timing, about six to nine hours a night, is protective and anti-stress, and that prolonged starvation or fasting can shrink the brain. The quoted lowmegatron post links hypothyroidism to reduced deep sleep, citing a 1967 study of 7 hypothyroid patients that reported fewer stage 3 and 4 sleep minutes, with some improvement after desiccated thyroid.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-19 original
The post shares a Ray Peat quote about learned-helplessness experiments in rats, where rescued rats later swam longer. The embedded lowmegatron post quotes Peat on learned helplessness and stress, says T3 can help reverse it, and includes a Facebook comment describing depression lifting after starting Cynoplus with extra T3.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-23 own thread
lowmegatron announces a new interview with Dr Wilson and links to it. The post does not describe the interview's content; the root post concerns Wilson's T3 Protocol.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-27 original
The author presents a case report and commentary from a paper saying thyroid supplementation (natural desiccated thyroid) lowered a hypothyroid patient's raised blood pressure after thyroidectomy. The paper reports that only about 20% of hypertensives normalize, 55% partly improve and 25% do not respond. The quoted post warns that a doctor's presence can raise blood pressure readings.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-27 original
The author says T4/levothyroxine is not thyroid hormone and that high doses of T4 alone can reduce tissue T3 even if labs look fine, supported by a Ray Peat quote. The quoted post is an anecdotal Facebook testimonial reporting many improvements after switching to T3.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-27 original
The post shares Ray Peat's first-person account of reactions to synthetic vitamin C (relief from poison oak, then sore throats, bronchitis and sickness from manufactured ascorbic acid), contrasted with no symptoms from fruit juice. The quoted post summarizes a small proof-of-concept study in which vitamin C lowered TSH and improved symptoms in people on levothyroxine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-28 original
The author claims hypothyroidism raises noradrenaline, which can increase blood pressure, cholesterol and anxiety. The post quotes Menoff's paper and studies it cites (Christensen, Stoffer) on thyroid hormone and catecholamines. The embedded lowmegatron post presents a case report and paper commentary on thyroid hormone (NDT) lowering blood pressure in some hypothyroid patients.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-29 original
The author says they receive daily questions about whether one is hypothyroid when tests may be unreliable, which supplement to take and how much thyroid hormone is needed. They say these are reasonable questions without simple answers and link to an explanation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-29 own thread
lowmegatron claims TSH responds well to levothyroxine/T4 but is over-suppressed relative to the thyroid hormone available to cells, so low TSH does not mean adequate thyroid hormone. He says the amount and T4:T3 ratio needed vary hugely between people and compares this to insulin dosing in type 1 diabetes.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-29 own thread
lowmegatron says levothyroxine is the most common treatment for true hypothyroidism and is T4, which must be converted to T3. He claims conversion is rarely optimal on levothyroxine alone and that adding some T3 "kickstarts" conversion and gives a more stable T3 supply through the day.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-29 own thread
lowmegatron claims that even large doses of active T3 may not work if nutrition is inappropriate. The post includes an image, whose content is not described in the text.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-29 own thread
lowmegatron argues that questions about hypothyroidism lack one-size-fits-all answers and that anyone offering broad solutions doesn't understand the problem. He promotes his Hypothyroid Masterclass Course, described as 31 short video modules, and lists the topics covered (tests, conversion, reverse T3, T4/NDT/T3 supplementation, nutrients, PUFA, stress, diet, drugs).
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-30 original
Author describes a case report of a 16-year-old with hypothyroidism-induced dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. He reportedly worsened on levothyroxine and heart failure drugs and then improved markedly on combined levothyroxine and T3. The author says the changes strongly suggest reverse remodeling.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-31 original
The sharing account adds only a link. The embedded post from lowmegatron describes a case report of a 16-year-old with hypothyroidism-induced dilated cardiomyopathy who worsened on levothyroxine and heart-failure drugs and then improved on levothyroxine plus T3. It states that heart size and ejection fraction changed toward normal.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-31 original
Ray Peat is quoted describing a 'high-energy resting state' in which adequate thyroid and magnesium let cells retain energy and stay relaxed. He says magnesium deficiency can cause seizures, insomnia and inflammation. The embedded lowmegatron post adds Ray Peat's claim that hypothyroid people get poor deep sleep, plus a 1967 study of hypothyroid sleep EEG.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2025-12-31 original
The author argues that thyroid hormone is essential for heart function and that supplemental T3 is sometimes needed. Two case reports are quoted, one of a child with myxedema heart disease and one of an adult with myxedema cardiogenic shock who improved on liothyronine. The embedded lowmegatron post quotes Ray Peat and studies on T3 and cardiac fibrosis after heart attack.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-01 original
The author claims high-carbohydrate diets lower famine and stress signals and raise thyroid hormone conversion and metabolism, whereas low-carb acts as a famine signal that lowers conversion. Support is a Broda Barnes self-experiment quote saying high protein raises thyroid needs, and a quoted study (PMID 11167929) showing carbohydrate deprivation lowered T3 and raised reverse T3. An embedded MojitoSlammer post is a personal fat-loss anecdote crediting Ray Peat.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-02 original
Author's text is only a t.co link, posted over a quoted reply from GawdawgElite suggesting warm milk with a pinch of salt and 2 tablespoons of sugar, plus a little T3, before bed as "helpful". The post is context-dependent and the author adds no explanation or endorsement.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-02 original
The author says thyroid hormone T3 is especially important for heart health, and that hypothyroidism or impaired T4-to-T3 conversion can lead to atherosclerosis, heart failure and heart attacks and limit recovery from them. The post quotes a paper on low T3 syndrome in myocardial infarction and heart failure. The embedded quoted post from lowmegatron describes a case report of a 16-year-old with hypothyroidism-induced dilated cardiomyopathy who improved on combined levothyroxine and T3.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-03 original
The author asserts that low thyroid hormone decreases immunity and that thyroid hormone needs may increase in winter. The post supports this with quoted statements from Broda Barnes about thyroid therapy, fewer infections and thyroidectomized rabbits, and a Ray Peat statement that people on thyroid supplements often need four times as much in December as in July.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-04 original
The author argues that levothyroxine (T4) alone does not fully correct slow metabolism or weight gain in hypothyroidism, because T3 drives metabolism. They say high-dose T4 may reduce T3 conversion and release, and that lowering TSH does not necessarily raise T3. They propose improving conversion or adding T3, and say basal body temperature is a better guide than TSH. The archived quoted post from lowmegatron links core temperature to fat gain and describes Broda Barnes's basal temperature test.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-06 original
The author states that hypothyroidism, including subclinical hypothyroidism, raises cholesterol. They say levothyroxine lowers elevated cholesterol in subclinical patients, though less than levo+T3 or NDT. They quote a study excerpt reporting lower total and LDL cholesterol on L-thyroxine. They add that they are not claiming cholesterol itself is bad, but that elevated cholesterol is a good marker for hypothyroidism and other drivers of cardiovascular disease.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-09 original
T3 therapy compared to T4 (levothyroxine) alone leads to weight loss and lower LDL cholesterol. Citation PMID: 24783015 provides evidence. Embedded post from lowmegatron explains differences between T4 and T3, role of T3 in metabolism, and body temperature as metabolic guide.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-10 own thread
lowmegatron says hypothyroidism activates the sympathetic nervous system, raising stress hormones, anxiety, blood sugar and blood pressure. The author cites a study of hypothyroid people who stopped medication, reporting about +60% cortisol and doubled adrenaline, noradrenaline and aldosterone, with diastolic blood pressure dropping as T3 rose with replacement.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-10 original
Estrogen-induced thyroid dysfunction is compensated by elevated adrenaline and cortisol, with inadequate compensation causing hypoglycemia and elevated histamine. Women with hypothyroidism on thyroxine may need increased dosing during estrogen therapy.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-11 original
Stress-induced cortisol elevation suppresses TSH and impairs thyroid hormone T4-to-T3 conversion while elevating reverse T3, resulting in low functional thyroid hormone despite normal TSH and T4 labs. Free fatty acids further impair T3 metabolism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-12 original
Author reports personal thyroid experiment results comparing their Graves' hyperthyroidism case to the quoted protocol for Hashimoto's; finds FT3 improved 15-20% but antibodies continued rising on previous trend, questioning efficacy in their condition.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-12 original
Hypothyroidism causes atherosclerosis; elevated TSH increases MCP-1 expression which drives atherosclerosis via monocyte recruitment; thyroid hormone replacement (L-T4) improves atherosclerosis markers like CIMT.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-13 original
Caloric restriction lowers T3 via decreased T4-to-T3 conversion (not thyroid output); T4 is shunted to reverse T3 instead; TSH suppression during treatment reflects normal adaptation, not overmedication; standard thyroid testing fails to detect this metabolic suppression.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-14 original
Ray Peat quote on hypothyroidism-related hormonal dysregulation (elevated adrenalin, estrogen, cortisol; low magnesium) and insomnia treatment with T3 and magnesium. Embedded post by lowmegatron cites study linking subclinical hypothyroidism to sleep disturbance and discusses Ray Peat's mechanism of T3 in brain energization; includes study on sleep stage changes in hypothyroidism before/after desiccated thyroid treatment.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-15 original
Case report of ICU patient with subclinical hypothyroidism presenting with respiratory failure and coma; T4 monotherapy failed but rapid improvement occurred when T3 was added. Embedded post describes similar case of myxedema coma in subclinical hypothyroidism with normal T4 but elevated TSH, treated with T4, T3, and hydrocortisone.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-15 original
TSH and T4 levels predict resting metabolic rate, weight gain, and obesity. Small TSH/T4 variations from levothyroxine dosing changes associate with significantly altered resting energy expenditure in hypothyroid patients. Active T3 hormone primarily responsible for resting energy metabolism. Embedded post by lowmegatron comparing T3 to T4 monotherapy with weight loss and LDL reduction outcomes.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-16 original
The author presents a quoted case report of a 71-year-old woman whose dizziness, dry skin, constipation, hair loss and brittle nails reportedly improved with tailored thyroid hormone treatment. Her symptoms reportedly returned on levothyroxine 50mcg and improved again after T3 was restarted. The author concludes that T3 and T4 are not equivalent. He also lists the paper's targets: free T3 in the upper 20% of the range, a total T3:reverse T3 ratio of 10:1, and low-normal T4, using individualized T4 and T3 doses with T3 split in two.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-19 original
TSH is unreliable for assessing thyroid hormone activity in sick people due to differential pituitary vs. tissue thyroid hormone conversion. Discusses tissue-level hypothyroidism despite normal blood levels and superiority of basal temperature and NDT over T4 dosing.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-19 original
Broda Barnes used Armour Thyroid (NDT) to prevent heart disease; discussion of industry preference for levothyroxine and role of polyunsaturated fats in blocking thyroid hormone effects. Historical context on Barnes and basal temperature test provided.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-19 original
Hypothyroidism causes sluggish liver unable to produce sufficient glucose from protein during stress, leading to hypoglycemia; thyroid therapy restores liver function. NDT USP recommended for correcting low metabolic rate.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-19 original
High-dose thiamine 600 mg reduces fatigue in Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. Thiamine supports glucose metabolism impaired in hypothyroidism. Case series of three patients on T4 replacement with persistent fatigue showed regression within hours/days on thiamine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-21 original
Critique of thyroid hormone cancer studies; distinguishes T4 (inactive) from T3 (active); argues T4-only supplementation suppresses T3 and increases cancer risk, while T3 in end-stage cancer prolongs survival.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-22 original
The author quotes Ray Peat and a paper abstract on diabetes and thyroid hormone. Ray Peat says cellular glucose deficiency impairs T4-to-T3 conversion and that T4+T3 combination therapy suppresses TSH. The paper reports lower T3 and higher reverse T3 in diabetes, normalizing with improved hyperglycemia. The embedded lowmegatron post claims stress causes hidden hypothyroidism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-22 original
The author claims T3 helps restore hair color, hair growth and skin quality. He cites two case reports of gray hair darkening with increased T3 and animal and cell experiments in which T3 stimulated hair growth and follicles entered anagen earlier. He also says hypothyroidism causes hair loss and topical T3 accelerates growth. He cautions that T3 is a metabolic stimulant rather than a hair supplement and should not be used without understanding it.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-22 original
The author claims hypothyroidism generally increases cortisol, with chronic cortisol elevation driving fat gain, high blood sugar and free fatty acid effects. The author says cortisol also lowers TSH and reduces T3 conversion, giving misleading labs. The author speculates that NDT or T4+T3 would have improved the study's results beyond levothyroxine. The embedded lowmegatron post makes related claims citing human and rat studies.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-23 original
Historical and clinical evidence linking hypothyroidism to arthritis improvement via thyroid treatment, including Barnes' clinical observations and mechanistic explanations involving mucopolysaccharides.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-23 original
Near-infrared photobiomodulation (PBM) combined with supplements increases T3, reduces thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), and reduces levothyroxine dose requirements in Hashimoto's patients.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-23 original
Endotoxin from intestinal bacteria suppresses thyroid hormones and testosterone production through multiple mechanisms, with supporting evidence from human and animal studies.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-23 original
The author quotes Ray Peat's article, which describes McGavack's 1951 approach to thyroid physiology. On this account, hypothyroidism was suspected from a wide range of symptoms and signs, including hair and skin abnormalities. Physicians used measures such as oxygen consumption, the Achilles reflex, temperature and pulse. A therapeutic trial of thyroid, adjusted to the patient's response, served as the final diagnostic test.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-24 original
JFK diagnosed hypothyroid in 1955 and started T3-only treatment early, potentially before T3's official market introduction in 1956; treatment involved basal metabolic rate testing rather than TSH/thyroid blood tests.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-27 original
The author claims dieting and fasting can reset the metabolic set-point downward in some people by lowering T3 and raising reverse T3, hindering weight loss. He says thyroid levels may need correcting and that TSH is a useless marker for dosing, since thyroid replacement during weight loss suppresses TSH. Quotes are from Rowsemitt and Najarian.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-28 original
Adrenaline and noradrenaline lower immunity and are elevated in hypothyroidism, partly explaining Broda Barnes' findings of recurrent infections in hypothyroid patients. Cites PMID 32045472 on β2-adrenergic receptor modulation of host immune response to viral infection. Includes Barnes' clinical observations on thyroid removal effects and thyroid therapy outcomes.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-29 own thread
Quotes claims that stored PUFA released by stress or hunger slows metabolism; niacinamide lowers free fatty acids; small amounts of coconut oil aid fat oxidation; aspirin reduces stress-related free fatty acid rises; thyroid supplements are reasonable until the saturated-to-PUFA ratio is about 2:1. Includes a personal anecdote of losing about two pounds weekly with a tablespoon of coconut oil.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-29 own thread gap
Quotes a study conclusion that hypothyroidism is tied to higher dementia and mortality risk and that adding T3 may mitigate this better than LT4 alone. The author adds that T4 must convert to T3, many cannot convert enough, and T4 suppresses TSH effectively, misleading those who rely on T4/TSH labs.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-29 own thread gap
The author argues few studies dose T3 individually, so the benefit of proper treatment may exceed what the paper found, and says the goal should be correcting low metabolic rate rather than a fixed T3 dose. It cites two PMIDs. The quoted earlier post claims hypothyroidism nearly doubles dementia risk, worse with thyroid medication, and links lipid peroxidation to neurodegeneration.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-01-31 original
Author states hypothyroidism diminishes color vision and that blue-yellow and red-green color contrast sensitivity improved with thyroid hormone treatment, quoting a study (PMID 25960961) on thyroxine treatment. The embedded quote is an earlier lowmegatron post on thyroid hormone and color vision.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-02 original
Levothyroxine monotherapy associated with lower well-being in hypothyroid patients compared to healthy controls, attributed to insufficient T3 bioavailability; diet and lifestyle factors affect thyroid hormone conversion.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-02 own thread
lowmegatron quotes an editorial saying that hypothyroid patients adequately treated with T4 score slightly worse on psychological well-being and have more symptoms than matched controls. One possible explanation given is that the T4 dose was not optimal or that T3 was not given.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-02 own thread
lowmegatron quotes Robert D. Utiger, who comments on the Saravanan et al. results. He says it is unhelpful to tell symptomatic patients on adequate T4 that the cause lies elsewhere, and that clinicians should focus less on serum TSH and think about new ways to treat hypothyroidism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-03 original
Broda Barnes research on low basal temperature in migraine patients as indicator of hypothyroidism; Natural Desiccated thyroid increased basal temperature and reduced migraine frequency/severity in 95% within one month. Non-migrainous headaches attributed to multiple causes including hypoglycemia, infection, hypertension, liver/gallbladder issues, and hypothyroidism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-04 original
Active thyroid hormone T3 increases by 10% when levothyroxine is taken at night versus morning; total T3 increased from 96 to 106 ng/dl on average with lower mean hourly TSH at bedtime dosing.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-04 original
TSH dropped by 3.9 points with night-time dosing of levothyroxine; shares linked study on levothyroxine dosing timing.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-05 original
Ray Peat extended quotation critiquing levothyroxine monotherapy and advocating for natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) based on physiologic T3:T4 ratios, bioavailability, and cellular energy mechanisms.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-06 original
Low brain T3 thyroid hormone causes anxiety and depression in mice despite normal blood levels; mechanism involves decreased T4-to-T3 conversion in brain; may explain mood issues in levothyroxine-treated patients with normal TSH; exercise improved symptoms.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-06 original
Alzheimer's patients have lower thyroid hormone levels than non-Alzheimer's controls; mental function improves with higher thyroid hormone; aberrant motor behavior more common with low thyroid hormone; suggests adjunctive T3 treatment potential.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-06 original
The author, citing Broda Barnes, claims ailments attributed to aging are often due to failing thyroid function, and that the TSH/T4 paradigm has made the problem worse. He quotes an anecdote about a 67-year-old man with baldness, low energy, forgetfulness, depression, high blood pressure and low basal temperature. After thyroid therapy his depression lifted, blood pressure normalized and hair regrew, per Barnes.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-09 original
Author argues that blood tests cannot measure thyroid hormone activity in tissues, only circulating levels; T3 activity drives symptoms; basal temperature may better indicate thyroid status than blood tests; and historical diagnosis by symptoms and temperature was superior to current TSH-centric protocols.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-10 original
Author presents case of 86-year-old with elevated TSH after starting Iodoral (high-potency iodine supplement) prescribed by naturopath; TSH escalated to 99 after 1 month despite levothyroxine dose increase; TSH normalized after Iodoral cessation. Includes explanation of Wolff-Chaikoff effect and recovery mechanism with quoted study text.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-10 original
Author documents that soy products interfere with thyroid hormone and levothyroxine absorption, particularly in children. Includes case of child who became profoundly hypothyroid on soy milk despite levothyroxine dose increases, normalizing after switching to cow milk. Discusses phytoestrogen mechanism of thyroid peroxidase inhibition.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-10 original
Author observes a recurring pattern in patient narratives: elderly hypothyroid patients stable on desiccated thyroid (NDT/Armour) for decades experience rapid deterioration when a new doctor switches them to TSH-centric levothyroxine protocols; symptoms return despite normal labs, blamed on aging rather than undertreated hypothyroidism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-11 original
Quoted Ray Peat claims that nighttime stress and inflammation hormones rise despite ice cream consumption; bright incandescent light reduces them further. Recommends Cynoplus at bedtime instead of Cynomel to maintain T4 and hold down TSH; suggests daily eggs and weekly liver for nutritional support.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-11 original
Author claims hypothyroidism impairs sleep stages 3 and 4, and that active thyroid hormone T3 is needed for proper rest. Includes embedded quote from lowmegatron about progesterone normalizing sleep without suppressing deep sleep.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-11 original
Author claims Broda Barnes treated hypothyroid patients with low basal temperature using natural desiccated thyroid, reducing heart disease diagnoses by 94% compared to Framingham Study predictions. Includes embedded quote from lowmegatron on thyroid testing reliability.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-13 original
Ray Peat quote on T3's cardiac protection through glucose oxidation support; includes case study of adolescent with hypothyroidism-induced heart failure who improved on combined T3/T4 therapy; describes reversal of cardiomyopathy structure and function.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-15 original
High-dose thiamine (600 mg) reduces fatigue in Hashimoto's hypothyroidism patients; mechanism involves glucose metabolism improvement; case series shows fatigue regression within hours to days.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-16 original
Case report of individual with severely depressed basal metabolic rate (-37%) and multiple hypothyroid symptoms (constipation, high cholesterol, cold intolerance, stiffness, soreness) showing visible physical changes at 3 and 18 months after starting natural desiccated thyroid (NDT).
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-17 original
Thyroid hormone T3 accelerates alcohol clearance and corrects alcohol intolerance; low thyroid function associated with hangover severity and hypoglycemia risk from alcohol consumption.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-17 original
Hypothyroidism is a cause of burning mouth syndrome; thyroid hormone treatment (Levothyroxine) reverses burning mouth symptoms, with 64% of hypothyroid patients showing pain reduction.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-20 original
Sharing embedded post from lowmegatron describing misdiagnosis of CFS/ME as hypothyroidism, advocating FT3 testing and natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) treatment.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-20 original
Explanation that liver carbohydrate availability regulates T4-to-T3 conversion and metabolic rate; glucose is essential for T3 production; Ray Peat quote on hypothyroid temperature and pulse response to carbohydrate feeding; study citation on dietary carbohydrate and T3 production; embedded quote on thyroid dysfunction during ketogenic diet in epilepsy patients.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-23 original
Levothyroxine shows paradoxical effect in morbidly obese individuals: 600 mcg dose lowered T3 by 7% despite raising it 17% in non-obese controls. Authors hypothesize impaired T4-to-T3 conversion linked to elevated IL-6 in obesity, which blocks conversion and increases inactivation of thyroid hormones. Embedded post notes bacterial endotoxin produces similar thyroid marker derangement.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-24 original
Ray Peat states T3 (active thyroid hormone) reverses learned helplessness in rats after it is induced. Embedded post discusses historical context of learned helplessness research, CIA MKUltra connections, and anecdotal report of T3 treatment resolving depression and hopelessness linked to low T3 from thyroid crash.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-24 original
Hoarseness in hypothyroidism results partly from mucopolysaccharide buildup and vocal cord swelling, similar to facial swelling. Embedded post notes recovery from hypothyroidism via NDT or T3 improves singing ability through reduced nasal inflammation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-24 original
Ray Peat explains levothyroxine monotherapy can worsen thyroid problems by suppressing residual thyroid T3 production. Symptoms result from low T3 availability, not TSH level. Desiccated thyroid products (Armour, Thyrolar, Euthroid, Proloid) containing both T4 and T3 at physiologic ratio more effective. Embedded post details levothyroxine alone fails to correct slow metabolism and weight gain; T3 drives metabolism. High-dose levothyroxine can reduce T3 conversion and suppress gland T3 release despite lowering TSH.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-27 original
T3 thyroid hormone improves ADHD in children with resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH), a condition affecting up to 3/4 of ADHD children; children with higher TSH (lower thyroid hormones) score higher on ADHD testing; in double-blind crossover trial, L-T3 benefited 5/8 RTH+ADHD children but not most ADHD-only children.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-02-28 original
Hypothyroidism reduces stages 3 and 4 deep sleep, leading to subjective poor sleep quality; treatment with desiccated thyroid may increase deep sleep phases.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-01 original
Author documents Dr. George Murray's 1891 use of animal thyroid extract for hypothyroidism/myxedema treatment, contrasts early results with development of Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT) and later T4-only therapy (levothyroxine), arguing NDT's T3:T4 ratio was more effective than synthetic T4 alone.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-01 original
Author presents case study of woman with treatment-resistant depression who failed multiple antidepressants but recovered with thyroid hormone T3, arguing active thyroid hormone is essential for brain metabolism reduced in depression; includes clinical findings showing improvement within 4 weeks.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-01 original
Author presents Dr. Denis Wilson's experience using Broda Barnes's approach of measuring body temperature to guide thyroid hormone treatment with desiccated thyroid in patients with normal lab tests, finding ~60% clinical improvement where conventional medical training predicted none.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-03 original
TSH within normal range shows dose-response relationship with hypertension risk: 9% increased risk per 1.0 mIU/L increase. Many people have hypertension from suboptimal thyroid hormone; mechanism involves TRH increasing blood pressure when thyroid hormone is low. Embedded quoted post cites case report and historical study showing thyroid hormone supplementation lowers elevated blood pressure in some hypothyroid patients; effect varies by hypertension type.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-04 original
Author notes anecdotal reports of reduced allergies following thyroid hormone correction; cites embedded user experience with Armour thyroid (T4/T3 combination) taken over three years.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-04 original
The author claims hypothyroidism can cause graying hair, sometimes reversed with treatment. He quotes a case report in which a patient treated with IV then oral L-thyroxine had complete repigmentation of gray scalp hairs that persisted through 2 years of follow-up.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-04 original
Broda Barnes reported that patients with winter itch responded dramatically to thyroid therapy, often with undiagnosed hypothyroidism; circulation reduction in cold weather exacerbates the condition.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-06 original
Case report of treatment-resistant depression resolved with T3 thyroid hormone after multiple failed SSRI, SNRI, and antipsychotic trials. Active thyroid hormone T3 is essential for brain metabolism and correction of hypothyroidism may address depression.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-06 original
Broda Barnes, MD reported that women with menstrual disorders treated with NDT thyroid therapy experienced high rates of symptom relief. Basal metabolic rate or basal temperature testing better identifies thyroid deficiency than blood tests. NDT containing T3 is more effective than levothyroxine monotherapy, though synthetic T4 plus T3 combination works similarly.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-06 original
Hypothyroid symptoms are primarily caused by low T3 activity in cells and tissues, not just low production by the thyroid gland. Current diagnostic testing with TSH and T4 cannot assess cellular T3 activity, so many people with low T3 activity remain symptomatic despite normal blood tests. Low T3 activity has multiple causes beyond thyroid gland failure.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-06 original
Case report of a patient with internal myxedema and hypothyroidism treated with NDT. Before-and-after photos show gastrointestinal swelling reduction, carotenemia resolution, and multiple symptom improvements including normalized basal metabolic rate, cholesterol reduction, reduced cardiac involvement, and cessation of menorrhagia after 3 months of NDT therapy at 2-4 grains daily.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-09 original
Author explains low thyroid hormone reduces energy to non-essential functions including testosterone and fertility in men; compares T4 (levothyroxine) versus T3 (liothyronine) therapy; notes downstream conversion and uptake issues. Quotes three studies on hypothyroidism, testosterone, sexual function, and spermatogenesis.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-10 original
Author explains obesity appearance in hypothyroidism as mucopolysaccharide (glycosaminoglycan) accumulation causing water retention. Attributes Ray Peat quote on hormonal imbalances in hypothyroidism. Describes mechanism: low thyroid hormone → fibroblasts produce more mucopolysaccharides → water trapping → myxedema symptoms. Embedded post by lowmegatron on historical thyroid extract treatment and NDT efficacy.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-10 original
Author claims depression, constipation, headache, muscle cramps, rheumatoid symptoms, cold, and fatigue are massively reduced with properly dosed NDT compared to levothyroxine dosed according to TSH.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-11 original
Xanthomas are lipid-filled lesions caused by abnormal lipid handling; hypothyroidism reduces thyroid hormone and slows lipid clearance, contributing to xanthoma formation and atherosclerosis. Case shows regression of xanthomas after 3 months of desiccated thyroid treatment.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-12 original
Hypothyroidism causes nasal passage swelling and congestion; symptoms resolve with optimal thyroid dosing. NDT appears more effective than T4/T3 combination for this symptom.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-12 original
The author lists improvements reportedly noted after switching from levothyroxine to NDT USP, including that hair loss stopped, brain fog lifted, energy rose, eczema cleared and constipation went away. He quotes patient statements such as feeling like a normal person again on NDT 120mg.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-13 original
Ray Peat quoted on TSH and mucopolysaccharide accumulation in hypothyroidism; explanation of how these molecules cause tissue swelling and puffy facial features. Embedded quoted post by lowmegatron describes Dr. George Murray's 1891 use of animal thyroid extract for myxedema, historical development of NDT, and T3:T4 ratio differences between NDT and synthetic levothyroxine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-13 original
Study of 155 post-thyroidectomy patients with subclinical hypothyroidism treated with levothyroxine; measured changes in uric acid and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) over 2 months. Embedded quoted post by lowmegatron on metabolic syndrome risk with upper-normal TSH range and relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and insulin resistance, including mouse model data.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-13 original
Broda Barnes and Ray Peat quoted on gout, hypothyroidism, and thyroid therapy; Ray Peat's view of uric acid as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Embedded quoted post by lowmegatron on thyroid hormone treatment effects on uric acid and insulin resistance.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-13 original
Broda Barnes quoted on high-protein diet effects on thyroid hormone requirements and stress hormone effects on thyroid conversion. Multiple studies examine protein effects on cortisol, cortisol effects on TSH and T3, and methionine restriction effects on thyroid function and metabolism. Embedded quoted post on cortisol's anti-thyroid effects.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-13 original
Broda Barnes case report of 10-year-old boy with recurrent nightmares resolved with natural desiccated thyroid therapy; only definite physical finding was subnormal basal temperature.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-13 original
Images showing before-and-after facial changes in hypothyroidism and recovery with NDT USP treatment. Embedded quoted post by lowmegatron on hypothyroidism-induced nasal congestion mechanism and mucosal changes confirmed in animal models.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-13 original
Broda Barnes quoted on clinical experience treating acne with thyroid therapy alone; reported >90% of patients benefited to varying degrees across all age groups, comparable to multi-measure acne treatment regimens.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-14 original
Author lists interventions reported to lower thyroid antibodies (TPOAb, TGAb) with effect sizes, including near-infrared light, vitamin D, selenium, vitamin C, testosterone in deficient men, and levothyroxine; notes LDN, gluten removal, and dairy removal help a minority.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-16 original
Author shares extended Ray Peat quote and embedded lowmegatron post on high-protein diet's thyroid-suppressing effects via amino acids (methionine, cysteine, tryptophan) and cortisol, milk's protective calcium, delayed tissue response to thyroid hormone, and NDT dosing; includes cited studies on protein, cortisol, methionine restriction, and thyroid hormone conversion.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-16 original
Author traces historical discovery of thyroid hormone-induced weight loss from 1890s iodothyrin to modern T3 studies, noting iodothyrin as active thyroid gland extract containing T3; embeds lowmegatron post comparing T3 and levothyroxine on weight loss and LDL.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-16 original
Author notes thyroid hormone's known role in mental health over decades; quotes Broda Barnes case studies of severe psychiatric symptoms (suicidality, morbid obsessions, hallucinations) resolved by thyroid treatment (NDT USP); includes image excerpt of another case of psychosis with myxedema resolved by thyroid therapy; clarifies NDT treatment differs from levothyroxine dosing for TSH.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-16 original
Low T3 (active thyroid hormone) is linked to depression. T4 must convert to T3 to be effective. Poor T4-to-T3 conversion can leave brain thyroid activity low even with normal standard labs. TSH above 2.5 mU/L is associated with more depressive symptoms in T4-treated people. Standard tests focusing on TSH and T4 miss tissue-level thyroid activity; T3, reverse T3, and conversion capacity are more relevant.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-16 original
lowmegatron argues that hypothyroid dogs have lower energy expenditure and that levothyroxine raised it. He cites a study in which 18 of 20 obese dogs lost weight, lethargy improved in 14 of 15, and 93% of dogs with skin or coat problems improved or resolved. He states that thyroid hormone accounts for about 50% of BMR and that dogs seem to respond better to levothyroxine than people do.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-18 original
T3 thyroid hormone production drops in diabetes due to impaired peripheral conversion from T4; high free fatty acids and gluconeogenic hormones impair conversion; levothyroxine monotherapy may not resolve hypothyroid symptoms despite lowering TSH; high blood sugar indicates glucose utilization impairment not sugar causation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-18 original
Broda Barnes recommended minimum effective dosing of natural desiccated thyroid for symptom relief in adults, typically 2 grains, sometimes 3, rarely 4; synthetic T4 with small T3 doses is usually equally effective; basal temperature normalization is secondary to symptom resolution.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-19 original
Ray Peat clinic findings: thyroid hormone and vitamin A at higher doses improved acne, bladder/kidney infections, periodontitis, sinusitis, colitis, myositis, bursitis, and arthritis. Many patients appeared deficient in both compounds despite supplementation, suggesting possible toxin interference.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-20 original
Author compiles evidence that thyroid hormone regulates saliva quality and that hypothyroidism impairs dental health; cites historical observation, clinical studies on Hashimoto's and xerostomia, and animal studies showing causality via thyroid hormone and thiouracil.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-21 original
Author argues that T4-only thyroid replacement does not replicate natural thyroid gland function due to T4:T3 ratio imbalance and that the system requires some T3; lists factors impairing T4-to-T3 conversion.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-21 original
Author observes that a study on thyroid hormone therapy was conducted in the UK, noted as restrictive in this area, and quotes the study's patient referral description.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-23 original
Author quotes Ray Peat on Armour thyroid versus levothyroxine, noting that Armour releases T3:T4 in 1:3 ratio and produces higher serum T3:T4 ratios in users compared to levothyroxine users. Adds explanatory note that T3 is active hormone and T4 is precursor requiring conversion.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-24 original
Iodocasein is a thyroid-hormone-like modified milk protein formerly used in animal agriculture and contaminating some NDT/Armour thyroid supplements; derived from periodocasein made by heating milk and iodine; author cautions against unknown thyroid-hormone-like substances.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-24 original
lowmegatron restates the quoted canine findings: after levothyroxine, lethargy improved in 14 of 15 dogs, 18 of 20 obese dogs lost weight, and 93% of dogs with dermatologic disease, including dry coat or alopecia, improved or resolved.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-25 own thread
The post text is only links. Its quoted post by lowmegatron claims elderly hypothyroid patients did well for decades on NDT/Armour, then declined after a new doctor used a TSH-plus-levothyroxine protocol, with symptoms blamed on other causes because labs 'look perfect'.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-25 own thread
The post text is only links. Its quoted post by lowmegatron claims experimental hypothyroidism raised cortisol (+60%), adrenaline, noradrenaline and aldosterone (2x), links this to blood pressure, anxiety and blood sugar, says adding T3 to T4 improved anxiety, depression and quality of life, and that hypothyroidism raised mast cells and histamine in rats.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-25 own thread
The post text is only links. Its quoted post by lowmegatron claims hypothyroidism diminishes color vision and that blue-yellow and red-green contrast sensitivity improved after thyroxine treatment.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-25 original
TSH in upper normal range increases hypertension risk by 30%; thyroid replacement therapy lowers blood pressure; elevated TSH impairs endothelial vasodilation; historical data showing NDT outcomes: 20% high→normal, 55% reduced, 25% no improvement; case example from Broda Barnes.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-25 original
Chronic stress suppresses TSH and impairs T4-to-T3 conversion via CRH, ACTH, and cortisol; stress-induced alterations can cause low active T3 despite normal T4 and TSH labs; T3 effects on tissues matter most.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-25 original
Ray Peat and Broda Barnes quotes on thyroid therapy and heart disease prevention; Barnes' method using basal temperature and symptoms with natural desiccated thyroid reduced expected heart disease by 94% compared to Framingham Study predictions; warning about caution post-heart attack; embedded case of 16-year-old with hypothyroidism-induced cardiomyopathy reversed on T3+T4 combination.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-26 original
Broda Barnes case report of severe migraines with normal thyroid labs but low basal temperature (44 bpm resting pulse) resolved by NDT dosing to correct temperature and symptoms; emphasizes symptom-based dosing differs from TSH-normalized levothyroxine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-26 original
Analysis of suicide mortality in Hashimoto's patients (43% higher) attributed to inadequate brain thyroid hormone replacement with levothyroxine; comparison of NDT vs. levothyroxine showing symptom improvements with NDT dosed to symptoms/basal temperature rather than TSH.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-27 original
Subclinical hypothyroidism (elevated TSH, normal-range thyroid hormones) causes excessive daytime sleepiness; two case reports of teenagers/young adults treated with levothyroxine showing resolution of sleep abnormalities.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-27 original
Hypothyroidism decreases hippocampal neurogenesis, impairing brain cell production and cognitive function; study shows adult-onset hypothyroidism reduces neurogenesis and thyroid hormone replacement restores it.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-30 original
Patient testimonial of symptom improvement on natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) versus levothyroxine for hypothyroidism: resolution of depression, suicidality, joint pain, bloating, digestive issues, dysmenorrhea, and restoration of functional capacity and relationships.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-30 original
Blood tests cannot detect thyroid hormone activity in tissues; T3 is active outside blood; low T3 tissue activity causes hypothyroid symptoms despite normal blood tests; basal temperature may better indicate thyroid hormone activity than blood tests.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-31 original
Hypothyroid individuals produce 40x normal adrenaline as compensation; T3 supplementation initially causes stress-like adrenaline reaction during adaptation; T3's primary function is relaxing; sugary and salty foods help manage adrenaline during adjustment; thyroid hormone suppresses noradrenaline and adrenaline production.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-03-31 original
Thyroidectomy reduces metabolic rate 45% within weeks; effect corrected by thyroid hormone replacement; thyroid hormone's fundamental function is regulating energy metabolism rate; embedded quote details hypothyroid dogs' weight loss and energy gains on levothyroxine with improved coat health.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-01 original
Light therapy improves anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, and sleep problems in Hashimoto's hypothyroidism patients within 3 weeks, despite levothyroxine monotherapy at TSH-lowering doses.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-01 own thread
lowmegatron says past studies show this treatment can reverse the autoimmune and inflammatory processes behind Hashimoto's, and that because these processes are not confined to the thyroid they may explain the symptom relief. The quoted earlier post claims light therapy in Hashimoto's cut T4 needs by 58% and TPOAb by 49%, and cites PMID 22718472.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-01 own thread
lowmegatron states that all the patients were taking levothyroxine (T4). He argues that levothyroxine-only therapy is unlikely to fully restore tissue T3, which he offers as the reason hypothyroid symptoms often persist in people on levothyroxine alone.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-01 own thread
lowmegatron claims the T3 increase from the treatment has the same effect as switching from levothyroxine dosed to TSH to NDT dosed to symptoms and basal temperature. He says the benefit comes from greater T3 availability in tissues, not just blood.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-05 original
Explanation of Type 1 (thyroid gland dysfunction) vs Type 2 (cellular thyroid hormone insufficiency) hypothyroidism, their interaction, and mechanisms by which Type 1 causes Type 2 through increased cortisol and free fatty acids that impair T4-to-T3 conversion and thyroid hormone action.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-05 original
Hypothyroidism elevates free fatty acids, which impair insulin sensitivity and glucose oxidation. Levothyroxine treatment improves insulin sensitivity and halves free fatty acid levels, with benefits noted even in subclinical hypothyroidism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-06 original
Quoted account reports depression lifted and creative emergence after beginning Cynoplus (T3+T4 combination) at 3:1 ratio; attributes transformation to T3 and thyroid optimization, noting many women lack access to T3.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-06 original
Ray Peat quotation and research citations on thyroid dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. Low thyroid function increases tissue vulnerability and diabetes impairs glucose uptake reducing hepatic T3 production. Studies show T2DM patients have significantly lower FT3, FT4, and TSH. Low-carbohydrate diet decreases plasma T3 similar to starvation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-07 original
Post synthesizes three studies showing that hypothyroidism impairs heart diastolic relaxation and electrical recovery (JT interval), and that thyroxine therapy improves these measures.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-07 original
Hypothyroidism impairs insulin secretion and glucose tolerance; study in mice shows PTU and thyroidectomy reduce glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and that islet insulin secretion correlates with T3 and T4 levels.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-07 original
Post critiques JAMA article recommending levothyroxine discontinuation in adults over 60 with TSH <10 and normal free T4; author argues TSH elevation itself causes inflammation, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and miscarriage risk independent of low T3.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-08 original
Historical overview of myxedema in hypothyroidism: mucopolysaccharide accumulation causes tissue swelling, facial changes, and personality alterations. Introduction of animal thyroid extract in 1891 and later desiccated thyroid (NDT) containing T3 and T4; shift to T4-only medication (levothyroxine) has reduced treatment efficacy.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-08 original
Memory impairment correlates with low T3 and T4 and elevated TSH in depressed hypothyroid patients. Treatment with levothyroxine improved depression, memory, libido, and other cognitive/mood symptoms.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-10 original
People on levothyroxine monotherapy show lower T3:T4 ratios and lower active thyroid hormone T3 compared to healthy controls with same TSH, despite normalized TSH. This group also has higher BMI despite lower calorie intake, lower physical activity, and greater antidepressant/statin use.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-12 original
Comprehensive explanation of selenium's role in thyroid hormone conversion and autoimmune thyroid disease. Covers mechanisms in acute stress, effects in Hashimoto's via RCT and case study, effects in Graves' disease and thyroid eye disease, synergy with myo-inositol, and recommended dosing.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-13 original
Quotes Ray Peat on T3's role in maintaining core temperature and intracellular respiration. Discusses nervous system slowing in hypothyroidism including reaction time, memory, and perception. Presents evidence linking memory decline to low thyroid hormones and improvement with treatment.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-13 original
Quotes Ray Peat on T3's role in depression treatment via stress/cortisol reduction. Presents evidence for T3 efficacy in treatment-resistant bipolar depression, compares natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) vs levothyroxine symptom profiles, and discusses cortisol dynamics in hypothyroidism and mental disorder.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-14 original
Desiccated thyroid supplementation based on basal temperature measurement decreased migraine frequency and severity in 95% of cases within one month, according to work by Broda Barnes, M.D.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-15 original
Bacterial endotoxin (LPS) lowers both TSH and thyroid hormones, creating misleading thyroid test results. Multiple dietary and supplemental compounds may reduce endotoxin burden or its effects.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-15 original
Low thyroid hormone elevates histamine, estrogen, and serotonin, contributing to urticaria. Thyroid hormone supplementation improved urticaria in 80% of women with Hashimoto's through TSH modulation of immune response.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-16 original
Hypothyroidism increases oxidative stress and atherosclerosis risk. Broda Barnes' diagnostic method using basal temperature and symptom assessment with NDT treatment reduced heart disease diagnoses by 94%. Levothyroxine monotherapy reduces but does not normalize oxidative stress markers.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-16 original
Hypothyroidism increases fistula formation risk 4-fold after laryngeal cancer salvage surgery. University of Michigan study found levothyroxine supplementation reduced fistula formation by ~50% and follow-up surgery need by 70%. Author speculates T3 supplementation could improve outcomes further.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-16 original
Before-and-after case report: 6 weeks of NDT USP treatment normalized basal metabolic rate (was 38% below normal), improved energy production, reduced facial edema, and resulted in 10 lbs weight loss. Author notes NDT contains both T4 and T3, differs from levothyroxine monotherapy, and acknowledges individual variation in response.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-17 original
Levothyroxine monotherapy fails to reproduce normal thyroid physiology even when TSH normalizes. Hypothyroid patients on levothyroxine have higher T4 and lower T3 than healthy controls at equivalent TSH. Despite lower calorie intake, levothyroxine-treated patients have higher BMI and greater use of statins and antidepressants.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-21 original
Synthesizes John C. Lowe's research and reviews on thyroid hormone therapy for fibromyalgia, presenting evidence that combined T4/T3 therapy, T3 alone, and supraphysiologic T3 doses were effective treatments. Discusses inadequate thyroid hormone regulation hypothesis, metabolic failure, and peripheral thyroid hormone resistance. Notes normal TSH/thyroid hormone levels may not reflect tissue-level deficiency.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-21 original
Explains that hypothyroidism/myxedema causes severe reductions in brain glucose and oxygen consumption and cerebral blood flow (26-38% decreases), with analogy to depression's metabolic signature. Cites 1950 study showing recovery of cerebral metabolism with thyroid therapy, and 2020 paper linking impaired brain glucose metabolism to depression and hypothyroidism. Embedded quote discusses glucose metabolism in prefrontal cortex in depression and factors reducing glucose oxidation (hypothyroidism, high serotonin, high estrogen, low thiamine).
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-21 original
Notes that JFK was prescribed T3 (liothyronine) for hypothyroidism in 1955, highlighting access disparity: a U.S. president received T3 therapy 70 years ago while most hypothyroid patients today cannot obtain it. Cites discharge documentation and medical histories. Embedded quoted post provides extensive background on JFK's T3 treatment timeline, basal metabolic rate testing, and alternative thyroid assessment methods (Broda Barnes temperature test).
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-21 original
Presents Ray Peat's hypothesis that thyroid antibodies represent a cleanup mechanism in low thyroid states, and that correcting thyroid hormone deficiency reduces inflammation and lowers antibody levels. Supported by evidence that levothyroxine supplementation reduces TPOAb and TgAb in Hashimoto's patients and decreases thyroid tissue destruction (assessed by T1-mapping MRI). Notes near-infrared light as alternative non-hormone treatment achieving similar antibody reduction.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-23 original
Author reports 5 people reducing hypothyroid symptoms and increasing T3 via increased calories/carbohydrates; Ray Peat on T4-to-T3 conversion via diet; multiple studies on carbohydrate restriction's effects on thyroid hormones (T3, rT3, T4).
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-23 original
Ray Peat on hypothyroidism's effects on temperature, cortisol, adrenaline and sleep via sympathetic nervous system activation. Study shows hypothyroidism increases cortisol (+60%), adrenaline (doubled), noradrenaline (doubled), aldosterone (doubled); reverses with T3 replacement and reduces blood pressure.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-24 original
Explains water retention as sign of hypothyroidism linked to disorganized biological water without adequate thyroid-potentiated energy. Describes myxedema (mucin swelling) accumulating under eyes and jawline, with secondary effects on digestion (constipation, SIBO risk), joints (inflammatory swelling), nasal passages, and voice. Before/after photos of hypothyroidism treatment shown. Embedded case of woman with SIBO misdiagnosed for years, eventually found to have thyroid hormone (T3) deficiency despite normal TSH/free T4, with rapid improvement on T3 treatment and SIBO resolution.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-24 original
Reports 1990s animal research finding pregnenolone several hundred times more potent than tested memory enhancers, with mechanism via transcription facilitation. Cites human studies showing pregnenolone improves memory and pregnenolone augmentation improves attention/working memory in schizophrenia patients. Embedded post on thyroid hormone correlation with memory in depressed patients, showing levothyroxine treatment resolved multiple symptoms including failing memory.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-27 original
Ray Peat explains that thyroid hormone is not a stimulant but corrects sleep disorders caused by hypothyroidism. In hypothyroidism, elevated adrenaline, estrogen, and cortisol with low magnesium disturb deep sleep. T3 with magnesium reliably treats insomnia, cramps, and anxiety. Cited sleep study shows hypothyroid patients have significantly decreased stage 3 and 4 (deep) sleep, which increases after desiccated thyroid treatment. Deep sleep stages essential for physical restoration, immune support, tissue repair, and growth hormone release.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-27 original
Hypothyroidism increases blood pressure by activating adrenal glands and elevating aldosterone, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. Sympathetic and adrenal activation in hypothyroidism is reversible with thyroid hormone treatment. Embedded post describes hypothyroidism increasing oxidative stress (MDA elevation) and atherosclerosis risk; cites Broda Barnes' basal temperature and NDT treatment method reduced heart disease diagnoses by 94% compared to Framingham Study expectations.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-27 original
Low body temperature associated with dementia; body temperature influenced by thyroid hormone activity. In hypothyroid patients, adding active thyroid hormone T3 reduces dementia risk by 16-30% versus TSH normalization alone. Animal Alzheimer's models show cold exposure increases tau and amyloid beta; raising body temperature via thermoneutral environment lowers amyloid beta and improves memory within a week. UTMB study author Dr. Antonio Bianco states TSH normalization alone insufficient for optimal outcomes.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-27 original
Subclinical hypothyroidism (elevated TSH, normal T4) treated as harmless but carries risk. TSH itself is harmful, causing insulin resistance and atherosclerosis independently. TSH directly activates TLR4 inflammatory pathway, increases MCP-1 (promoting atherosclerosis), and correlates linearly with insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) even within normal TSH range. Embedded post describes JAMA article recommending TSH <10 and weaning older adults off levothyroxine, citing negative effects of TSH including inflammation, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and miscarriage risk; notes T3 excluded from study and lower T3 causes most hypothyroid symptoms.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-28 original
Low testosterone twice as likely in hypothyroid men; thyroid supplementation doubles free/total testosterone and halves prolactin; sexual dysfunction reversible with thyroid correction.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-29 original
Hypothyroidism increases hypoglycemia risk through multiple mechanisms: blunted growth hormone and cortisol responses, reduced gluconeogenesis, impaired glycogenolysis, reduced glucagon secretion, prolonged insulin activity, and reduced glucose absorption. Extensive symptom list and pathophysiological explanations provided.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-30 original
Severe hypothyroidism causes mental hebetude, slowed cognition, irritability, social withdrawal, and risk of acute mania, melancholia or dementia unless treated early. Natural desiccated thyroid USP therapy relieves mental disturbances. Historical context: Dr. Murray pioneered thyroid extract injection for myxedema in 1891.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-04-30 original
Personal account of recovery from depression and learned helplessness after starting Cynoplus with 3:1 T3 ratio following thyroiditis and thyroid crash. Caller reports rapid mood lift and emergence of creative force.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-02 original
Light therapy reduced anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, and sleep problems in Hashimoto's hypothyroidism patients after 3 weeks, despite ongoing levothyroxine treatment.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-04 original
Author synthesizes evidence linking thyroid hormone, CO₂ production, and diabetes complications; presents Broda Barnes case study of diabetic patients on NDT with improved outcomes, and discusses CO₂ therapy for wound healing with mechanistic explanation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-04 original
Author claims dementia risk is 2-3× higher in hypothyroidism but reduced up to 30% with T3 thyroid hormone; attributes dementia-insomnia correlation to inadequate T3 activity; cites population study and UTMB research on combination therapy.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-05 original
Presents Ray Peat quote on thyroid supplementation and liver consumption improving acne, dandruff and other conditions; clarifies that 'supplement thyroid' means prescription thyroid hormone medication (T3/T4).
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-06 original
Open question to audience about whether nighttime T3 dose stops nighttime nasal congestion; personal inquiry seeking community experience.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-06 original
Author explains hypothyroidism causes oxidative stress via lipid peroxidation, details mechanisms and biomarkers (MDA, PON1), cites study showing malondialdehyde elevation in hypothyroid patients and partial recovery with thyroid hormone replacement, and notes TSH correlation with oxidative markers.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-06 original
Author attributes to Ray Peat a mechanism explaining poor body temperature response to thyroid medication: stress hormones shifting T4 metabolism to reverse T3, and emphasizes selenium sufficiency for T4-to-T3 conversion.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-08 original
Author shares Ray Peat quote about thyroid supplementation form (USP thyroid containing both T4 and T3) preventing stress-induced hypothyroidism and arrhythmias compared to Cytomel monotherapy.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-11 original
Historical and contemporary evidence that thyroid hormone improves rheumatoid and arthritic symptoms. Author cites early 20th-century clinical observations by Hertoghe, describes Broda Barnes' use of natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) to improve arthritis and metabolic markers, and reviews 1990s mechanistic research linking thyroid involvement to rheumatological disorders.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-12 original
Ray Peat quotation regarding timing of thyroid hormone dosing: T3 (Cynomel) is depleted overnight allowing proinflammatory TSH to rise; bedtime dosing of combined T3+T4 (Cynoplus) may better suppress TSH. Embedded post discusses thyroid hormone effects on sleep architecture and quality.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-13 original
Quoted account reports cervical spine osteoarthritis pain resolved after thyroidectomy and levothyroxine initiation; physician stated no connection.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-13 original
Case report of severe psychiatric symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech) caused by severe hypothyroidism (TSH >100) resolving within days of levothyroxine initiation; embedded quote discusses depression and psychosis as overlooked hypothyroidism manifestations, challenges standard thyroid testing, and attributes mechanism to reduced T3 brain bioavailability.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-13 original
Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) as complication of hypothyroidism with case report of resolution upon levothyroxine treatment; symptom progression from early to advanced stages; mechanistic explanation citing Ray Peat on reduced carbon dioxide formation and sodium retention.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-13 original
Urticaria/chronic hives caused by hypothyroidism via elevated histamine and serotonin; case report of Hashimoto's thyroiditis patient with recurrent urticaria completely resolved after levothyroxine dose titration to euthyroid state, discontinuing topical treatments and antihistamines.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-15 original
Thyroid expert Dr. Broda Barnes noted his hypothyroid patients on NDT had no diabetes complications; T3 enables higher CO2 production which improves diabetic complications; CO2 therapies improve diabetic neuropathy and ulcer healing.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-15 original
Case of 32-year-old woman misdiagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and treated with sertraline for 10 months; thyroid labs eventually revealed hypothyroidism (high TSH, low T4); switching to thyroid hormones resolved anxiety and improved sleep, concentration, and energy within 2 months.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-16 original
Ray Peat explanation of thyroid hormone T3 role in carbon dioxide formation, cellular respiration, and bone formation; embedded quoted post details baking soda study on bone loss reduction via bicarbonate.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-18 original
Early clinical study treating children with metabolic insufficiency (low metabolic rate with normal thyroid labs) using T3 thyroid hormone; detailed symptom resolution rates and mechanistic differences from hypothyroidism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-18 own thread
lowmegatron quotes a 1950s study of children with metabolic insufficiency or hypothyroidism who improved on liothyronine (T3) after earlier desiccated thyroid or thyroxine gave inadequate responses. The quoted results include improved appetite, bowel function, bone age and mood, and smoother hair. He interprets the findings as evidence of hidden hypothyroidism involving thyroid hormone utilization.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-19 original
Levothyroxine normalizes TSH but does not fully correct metabolic rate reduction in obese hypothyroid women; desiccated thyroid and T3 replacement show greater weight loss; metabolic effect depends on T4-to-T3 conversion capacity.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-20 original
OTC thyroid supplements and desiccated thyroid products have highly variable thyroid hormone content; some contain no hormones while others contain up to 25 mcg T3 or 22 mcg T4 per dose; herbal products often contain undisclosed thyroid hormones.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-21 original
Salt, glycine, CO2, progesterone, thyroid hormone and sugar optimize energy and sleep as restorative background processes (Ray Peat quote). Progesterone restores normal sleep when disturbed without inhibiting deep sleep (unlike hypnotics). Hypothyroidism decreases stages 3-4 sleep; desiccated thyroid may increase these. Glycine 3g improves sleep quality and reduces fatigue in sleep-restricted subjects.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-21 original
T3 thyroid hormone is lower in levothyroxine-treated patients than in healthy subjects at equivalent TSH levels. TSH is not the gold standard for adequate levothyroxine substitution; it reflects only pituitary thyroid hormone levels. Elevated T4:T3 ratio with levothyroxine monotherapy may downregulate T4-to-T3 conversion peripherally. Type 1 and 2 deiodinases appear more effective in pituitary than peripheral tissues.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-23 original
Untreated hypothyroidism increases anxiety risk nearly 4-fold. Mechanisms include elevated histamine, catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline), cortisol, lactate, hyperventilation, and reduced CO₂ production. A case study shows severe psychiatric manifestations (delusions, hallucinations, insomnia, anxiety, disorganized speech) in a hypothyroid patient (TSH >100) that resolved within one day of levothyroxine initiation and remained absent at 6-month follow-up without psychotropic medications.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-23 original
Thyroid hormone regulates growth in children. Hypothyroid children are shorter than average; hyperthyroid children are taller. Historical and contemporary evidence shows thyroid hormone treatment improves height and intelligence in hypothyroid children. Genetic thyroid hormone resistance is associated with 6-fold increased short stature risk if untreated. Historical case series: treatment improved growth rates (e.g., 7-year-old grew 1 inch in 2 years before treatment, 1 inch in 2 months on thyroid; 5-year-old gained 1 inch in 9 weeks; 18-year-old 34-inch-tall youth gained 2 inches in 9 weeks). Modern study confirms lower height z-scores in acquired hypothyroidism; hyperthyroid children show increased height and low BMI.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-25 original
Ray Peat quote on Broda Barnes' demonstration that hypothyroidism causes heart disease and that correcting hypothyroidism prevents both heart attacks and degenerative conditions in diabetics, combined with embedded content on T3 metabolism, CO2 production, and transcutaneous CO2 therapy outcomes in diabetic neuropathy and ulcer healing.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-26 original
Soy-based phytoestrogens can worsen subclinical hypothyroidism to clinical hypothyroidism and interfere with levothyroxine absorption in children. High-dose soy phytoestrogen (16 mg) poses 3× increased risk of progression to clinical hypothyroidism. Case reports describe hypothyroid children who became profoundly hypothyroid on soy milk despite levothyroxine treatment.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-26 original
Author lists sixteen factors that can impair thyroid hormone response: elevated free fatty acids, low total cholesterol, levothyroxine monotherapy, inappropriate T3 dosing, empty-stomach T3 administration, wrong T4:T3 ratio, TSH-only dosing, micronutrient insufficiencies (sodium, magnesium, calcium, retinol, zinc, selenium, vitamin D), high polyunsaturated fat intake, estrogen dominance, protein imbalance, and iron/iodine imbalance. Embedded post emphasizes carbohydrate's role in hepatic T3 production.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-27 original
Hypothyroidism and low thyroid hormone activity cause ADHD. Research shows higher TSH within normal range correlates with ADHD symptoms in preschoolers; thyroid hormone resistance increases ADHD risk by 60%; T3 improves ADHD specifically in children with thyroid hormone resistance but may be detrimental in those without resistance.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-27 original
To correct elevated reverse T3 relative to T3: lower cortisol/glucagon; if taking thyroid hormones, increase T3:T4 ratio, spread doses, and take with food.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-27 original
Hypothyroidism causes Raynaud's phenomenon by elevating catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) that reduce blood flow. Treating hypothyroidism with levothyroxine reverses Raynaud's symptoms and resolves the underlying mechanism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-28 original
Author describes case of 9-year-old with hypothyroidism, retained baby teeth, and delayed bone age; tooth eruption normalized one year after levothyroxine treatment. Embedded quote from lowmegatron lists comprehensive oral manifestations of hypothyroidism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-05-28 original
Author explains swelling during levothyroxine therapy is likely hypersensitivity to excipients rather than hormone itself; describes successful desensitization protocol starting at 0.01 mcg and doubling every 30 minutes, with case outcome and mechanism explanation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-01 original
Explanation of reverse T3 elevation as stress marker; cortisol and other counterregulatory hormones shift T4 conversion toward rT3 while raising free fatty acids that impair thyroid function; lists interventions to lower cortisol and suggests T3:T4 ratio optimization in levothyroxine users.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-01 original
Historical finding from 1960s that hypothyroidism destroys sleep quality and architecture, with treatment via desiccated thyroid restoring restorative sleep stages; suggests T3+T4 combination will have similar effect.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-05 original
Author presents rat and mouse experiments showing hypothyroidism causes anosmia (loss of smell); describes test methods and reversal of smell loss with thyroid hormone treatment. Cites human studies showing ~40% of hypothyroid patients have olfactory issues, largely reversible with thyroid hormone therapy. Notes levothyroxine-only may not provide full recovery due to T3 conversion requirement. Embedded quote describes PEA and luteolin combined with olfactory training for post-COVID smell recovery.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-08 original
Sharing post about taste and smell dysfunction in hypothyroid patients and animal studies of anosmia; notes impaired recovery with levothyroxine-only therapy and suggests T3 conversion may be relevant.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-09 original
Ray Peat statement that short-term thyroid supplementation in a small percentage of hypothyroid patients can stimulate recovery of normal thyroid function by activating the brain-pituitary system, raising blood sugar to increase hepatic T3 production, and lowering anti-thyroid stress hormones.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-10 original
Ray Peat quoted on thyroid deficiency causing digestive issues including gas; embedded case study of woman with SIBO resolved by T3 therapy after years of failed treatments, with explanation of hypothyroidism mechanisms in SIBO pathogenesis.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-10 original
Author argues against T3-lowering diets for weight loss, citing associations between elevated cortisol and reduced T3 in cardiovascular disease patients. References Broda Barnes' 1970s research showing 94% reduction in heart disease with natural desiccated thyroid treatment; embedded quote on hypothyroidism increasing blood pressure.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-10 original
Extended Ray Peat quotation on T3 deficiency causing sleep problems, especially at menopause, with explanation of paradoxical T3 effects in high-stress/adrenergic states. Notes T3 as prescription medication available in liothyronine and natural desiccated thyroid forms; embedded post on light therapy for Hashimoto's symptoms.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-11 original
Correcting hypothyroidism with levothyroxine improves insulin sensitivity; author suggests NDT or combination therapy may provide further improvement.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-12 original
Case report of heat intolerance and agitation in hypothyroid patient treated with levothyroxine; Ray Peat discusses mechanisms including nitric oxide vasodilation and metabolic temperature monitoring.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-17 original
Author shows before/after of thyroid replacement treatment over 3 weeks and explains mechanism: T3 drives mucopolysaccharide breakdown; low T3 causes accumulation and water retention leading to myxedema swelling.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-17 original
Thiamine deficiency impairs thyroid hormone effectiveness; author cites studies showing thyroid causes anxiety and tachycardia in thiamine-deficient patients but tolerates better with prior thiamine repletion; recommends starting at 0.3mg and increasing to up to 19mg daily.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-17 original
Before/after eyelashes in hypothyroidism treatment; cites case literature linking ciliary madarosis (eyelash loss) to thyroid dysfunction, predominantly hypothyroidism in women; embedded post explains T3's dose-dependent effects on hair growth and repigmentation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-18 original
Repost of MelRoBuilds describing previous trial on desiccated Armour thyroid without effect and indicating intent to try a new experiment.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-18 original
Report of thiamine supplementation improving memory and learning in hypothyroid animals; includes embedded repost of lowmegatron on thiamine deficiency as reason for poor thyroid hormone response, with historical clinical observations on interaction.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-19 original
Hypothyroidism identified as cause of burning mouth syndrome with potential resolution via thyroid hormones within months. Cites systematic reviews and case reports showing 64% of hypothyroid patients with positive response to thyroid hormone treatment. Case example shows pain reduction from VAS 8 to 5 in one month, complete resolution in six months with levothyroxine. Embedded post lists multiple oral manifestations of hypothyroidism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-21 original
Author reports case of woman with TSH 7 and melasma treated with levothyroxine, achieving 80% hyperpigmentation reduction and TSH normalization to 0.78; includes embedded quoted post about eyelash loss association with hypothyroidism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-21 original
Author reports new research showing near-infrared light reduces anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain and sleep problems in Hashimoto's hypothyroidism patients within 3 weeks, despite continued levothyroxine therapy.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-21 own thread
lowmegatron notes the patients were all taking levothyroxine and claims levothyroxine-only therapy is unlikely to fully replenish tissue T3, which he offers as why hypothyroid symptoms often persist.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-21 own thread
lowmegatron claims the T3 increase has the same effect as switching from levothyroxine dosed to TSH to NDT dosed to symptoms and basal temperature, attributing the benefit to greater tissue T3 availability.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-22 original
Author reports higher TSH within normal range associated with coronary heart disease mortality in women and cites Broda Barnes' 1970s research showing 94% reduction in heart disease with natural desiccated thyroid; includes embedded quoted post about cortisol-T3 relationships in cardiovascular disease.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-23 original
lowmegatron says levothyroxine raised resting energy expenditure in hypothyroid dogs by about 24% on average. It also reports weight loss in most obese dogs, improved lethargy, and improvement of dermatologic signs including dry coat and alopecia.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-23 original
Analysis of resting energy expenditure (REE) in thyroid cancer patients across five time points: normal thyroid, post-thyroid removal (hypothyroid at 3 weeks), after levothyroxine monotherapy, after dose increase, and 12 months follow-up. Shows 24% REE swing. Compares levothyroxine monotherapy to NDT and liothyronine (T3) replacement, noting weight loss differences and conversion efficiency implications.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-23 original
lowmegatron says hypothyroidism can affect hair and nails mildly or severely, and that the cause is often ignored when TSH is 'normal'. The quoted case describes Hashimoto's hypothyroidism with a TSH of 30, where the nail and hair changes resolved after five years of levothyroxine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-24 original
Explains resting energy expenditure (REE) and its dominance in total energy expenditure; shares embedded study showing 24% REE variation with thyroid status in thyroid cancer patients, comparing levothyroxine monotherapy vs. NDT and T3 combinations.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-24 original
lowmegatron says thyroid hormone restores hair growth. He quotes a study in which thyroid deficiency raised the percentage of telogen hairs and replacement restored normal telogen-anagen ratios, and he notes that the replacement was NDT rather than levothyroxine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-24 original
Links restless leg syndrome to thyroid dysfunction; reports 5-fold higher odds of subclinical hypothyroidism in RLS patients and describes improvement with thyroid hormone treatment in Hashimoto's cases.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-24 original
lowmegatron says hypothyroidism doubles noradrenaline, which he links to greying and hair loss. He cites a case in which greying reversed after IV levothyroxine, rodent T3 results, a human greying study and fasting-related follicle research, and says greying must be caught early to reverse.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-25 original
High-dose thiamine improves fatigue across multiple conditions including hypothyroidism, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease; dosing recommendations provided; embedded quote on thiamine deficiency interaction with thyroid hormone efficacy.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-25 own thread
lowmegatron lists references for high-dose thiamine and fatigue: trials in Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and quiescent IBD. He adds that treatment led to partial or complete regression of fatigue within hours or days.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-26 original
Quote attributed to Ray Peat regarding learned helplessness in rats based on seeing another rat escape. Embedded quote discusses CIA MKultra program, Martin Seligman's learned helplessness research, Curt Richter's rat studies, and T3 thyroid hormone as a reversal agent for learned helplessness with anecdotal recovery account.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-26 original
Tocotrienols (vitamin E variant, not thyroid hormone) suppress mast cell degranulation and reduce histamine release in mice through suppression of protein kinase C (PKC) activity, reducing allergic dermatitis. Embedded quote discusses idiopathic urticaria, thyroid hormone supplementation effects on thyroid antibodies and allergies.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-29 original
User shares embedded anecdote from KamilBaszczyk1 about resolving hypothyroid symptoms by reducing iodine intake from supplements and salt after consulting a GPT chatbot about diet analysis.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-29 original
Author shares Ray Peat quote on thyroid hormone brain concentration and T3:T4 ratios, then embedded quote from lowmegatron on T3-depression link with multiple reference citations.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-29 original
Author presents Ray Peat quotes and citations on estrogen's adverse cardiovascular effects in men, including discussion of the Coronary Drug Project trial and elevated serum estradiol in men with heart disease.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-06-30 original
Author cites clinical descriptions of hypothyroidism skin manifestations (dry coarse skin, myxedema, xerosis) and discusses differences between thyroid extract (NDT) and levothyroxine in treating these symptoms. Embedded post by lowmegatron discusses mucopolysaccharide buildup in hypothyroid dogs.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-01 original
Author proposes adding a medical school curriculum component where students experience anti-thyroid medication and dexamethasone to lower T3 and suppress TSH, to help thyroid patients feel reassured their condition is normal. Embedded post by astadiuvita describes personal experience of low T3 during stress with a doctor dismissing it based on low TSH.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-01 original
Author explains hypothyroidism-induced insulin resistance via lower T3 and higher TSH, cites study showing insulin sensitivity restoration with thyroid hormone replacement, and details multiple mechanistic pathways (postreceptor signaling defects, GLUT4 translocation, glycogen synthesis, mitochondrial oxidative metabolism). Embedded post by lowmegatron discusses TSH-induced insulin resistance via inflammatory pathways and cites human population studies.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-01 original
Author argues urinary free T3 is most objective thyroid sufficiency marker, correlates better with symptoms than other tests, normalizes with NDT but remains low on levothyroxine alone. Discusses differential symptom correlation with various thyroid tests and explains T4-to-T3 conversion mechanisms via deiodinase enzymes. Cites studies showing TSH/T4 poor correlation with clinical hypothyroidism diagnosis and mechanisms of inadequate T3 on levothyroxine monotherapy.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-01 own thread
lowmegatron argues that 24-hour free urinary T3 is the best test of thyroid hormone sufficiency. He reports values of about 756 pmol for untreated hypothyroid patients and 767 for levothyroxine-treated patients, versus 1990 for NDT-treated and 2,074 for healthy people. He describes an NDT protocol dosed by symptoms rather than TSH, and reports that hypothyroid symptoms were higher on levothyroxine than on NDT. He adds a disclaimer that he does not claim NDT is superior to properly dosed synthetic T3+T4, that thyroid hormones should be taken under medical supervision, and that this is not medical advice.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-01 original
Author explains levothyroxine normalizes TSH while leaving tissues T3-deficient, cites rat study showing normal blood tests despite low tissue T3, and describes how this creates hidden hypothyroidism. Discusses peripheral T4-to-T3 conversion inadequacy and presents human data showing >20% of post-thyroidectomy patients have abnormal T3/T4 ratios despite normal TSH.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-01 own thread
lowmegatron gives two references, one on combined T4+T3 treatment in thyroidectomized rats and one on levothyroxine monotherapy in athyreotic patients. He notes that the man in the accompanying image was treated with NDT USP, which contains T3. He explains that he uses older images because treatment back then was guided by symptoms, basal temperature and/or basal metabolic rate, which he considers more appropriate.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-02 original
Post presents data on urinary free T3 levels across untreated hypothyroidism, levothyroxine treatment, and NDT/Armour therapy, with claims that levothyroxine fails to raise T3 adequately compared to NDT. Embedded quoted post from lowmegatron discusses thyroid testing, symptom correlation, and conversion enzyme mechanisms.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-03 original
Natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) contains both T4 and T3 in ~4-5:1 ratio; T3 content helps activate T4-to-T3 conversion enzyme; NDT effective for many patients; synthetic T3+T4 combinations often equivalent; individual response varies; OTC bovine glandulars lack standardization.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-07 original
Case report of hip pain and joint degeneration caused by undiagnosed severe hypothyroidism, with complete resolution following thyroid hormone replacement. Initial misdiagnosis over 2-3 months; imaging showed hip effusion, femoral head demineralization and acetabular damage; treatment with levothyroxine reversed all changes within 2-3 months with normalized labs and normal follow-up imaging at one year.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-07 original
Case report of woman misdiagnosed with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis for 2 years presenting with progressive PIP joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Diagnosed with severe hypothyroidism (TSH 65.9); treated with levothyroxine 100 mcg daily; joint swelling disappeared within 3 months, grip strength increased, no residual pain except on maximum flexion. Follow-up radiographs showed soft tissue swelling resolution and no progression of erosions; remains well 2 years later.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-08 original
Hypothyroidism can cause atrial fibrillation; case study and mechanism explained. Case reports show levothyroxine treatment resolved AF symptoms. Studies indicate up to 8% of AFib patients are hypothyroid. Author notes hyperthyroidism is a more common AFib cause; normalizing thyroid hormone levels corrects the imbalance.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-08 original
US hypothyroidism prevalence increased from 9.5% to 11.7% (2012-2019), a 23% relative increase driven by changes in older adults (50+). Author compares prevalence data from medical claims/prescriptions to older survey-based lab values, noting methodological differences in case definition.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-08 original
Author discusses limitations of TSH testing for hypothyroidism diagnosis. TSH is blind to peripheral T4-to-T3 conversion and thyroid hormone resistance. Gene variants, stress, and diet affect conversion and activity independent of TSH. Contrasts TSH-based prevalence (10%) with Broda Barnes' symptom-based approach (40% responsive to NDT treatment).
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-08 original
Author claims levothyroxine treatment does not normalize thyroid hormone levels despite normal TSH. Cites research showing levothyroxine-treated patients with normal TSH have lower T3 than healthy subjects. Explains mechanism: pituitary has better T4-to-T3 conversion than peripheral tissues, causing false TSH-based assessment. Argues TSH cannot be gold standard for adequacy.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-08 original
Case series of 5 children misdiagnosed with rheumatic/inflammatory conditions (hypermobility, fibromyalgia, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, chondromalacia, dermatomyositis) ultimately caused by hypothyroidism. All improved with thyroid replacement; 3 recovered fully. Author explains low cellular T3 activity as cause and notes overlap with non-thyroid diagnoses.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-09 original
Blood tests cannot detect thyroid hormone activity in tissues; T3 is the active form with most effects outside blood. Basal body temperature may better indicate thyroid activity than blood tests. Hypothyroid symptoms are tissue-level effects, not arbitrary blood levels.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-09 original
Switching from levothyroxine to NDT (natural desiccated thyroid containing T4 and T3) dramatically improved quality of life and reduced hypothyroid symptoms. Author explains mechanism: levothyroxine monotherapy reduces T4-to-T3 conversion in tissues while suppressing TSH.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-10 original
Carpal tunnel swelling caused by hypothyroidism is reversible with thyroid treatment. Study found median nerve cross-sectional area increased 36% in autoimmune thyroid patients; levothyroxine reduced it 14%, relieving symptoms. T3+T4 combination may be needed if levothyroxine alone insufficient.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-10 original
Hypothyroidism increases LDL, Lp(a), and apo-B; T3 therapy rapidly lowers all three. Broda Barnes method reduced expected heart attacks by >90%. Author cautions against self-treatment with T3.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-10 original
Ray Peat quoted on thyroid hormone T3's role in eliminating edema and treating carpal tunnel syndrome through swelling reduction, versus conventional surgical approach. Embedded post by lowmegatron discusses hypothyroidism-induced waterlogging of median nerve tissue and reversibility with levothyroxine treatment.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-13 original
Chromium picolinate at 1,000 mcg taken with levothyroxine reduces T4 absorption by ~17% over 6 hours in small study of 7 healthy volunteers. Mechanism is similar to ferric ion binding thyroxine causing malabsorption. Embedded quote discusses soy phytoestrogen interference with levothyroxine absorption and thyroid function.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-13 original
Ciprofloxacin antibiotic reduces levothyroxine T4 absorption by 39% based on small study measuring 6-hour area under curve. Mechanism involves inhibition of intestinal T4 uptake transporter (possibly OATP family). Embedded quote is personal anecdote about refusing ciprofloxacin during appendicitis due to mitochondrial toxicity concerns and successful use of alternative antibiotics.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-15 original
Hypothyroidism causes impaired muscle relaxation in skeletal and cardiac muscle, leading to continuous partial contraction and stiffness before fibrosis develops. Inadequate thyroid hormone prevents proper diastolic relaxation and complete contraction, creating functional heart failure correctable by thyroid supplementation. Hypothyroidism can cause atrial fibrillation in up to 8% of AF cases.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-15 original
Ray Peat explains hypothyroidism-caused nerve hyperhydration (water swelling) as mechanism for carpal tunnel syndrome, spinal stenosis, and joint deformation. Embedded post by lowmegatron on carpal tunnel median nerve swelling reversal with levothyroxine treatment, citing study.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-15 original
lowmegatron presents a case report, cited as 'Reversible Hair Loss due to Levothyroxine Overdose', of an infant with congenital hypothyroidism who developed diffuse non-scarring hair loss 15-20 days after starting levothyroxine. Hair regrew after the dose was reduced. The author concludes that overdose may cause hair loss. The author also gives a best-guess reading of the FT3 and FT4 levels because the assay ranges are not stated.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-16 original
Hypothyroid patients are 2x more likely to have SIBO and 2x more likely to develop it over 10 years; hypothyroid SIBO has distinct bacterial signature; levothyroxine treatment reduces SIBO risk, suggesting thyroid correction may be necessary for complete SIBO remission.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-16 original
lowmegatron claims that hypothyroid symptoms improve when the T3 to reverse T3 ratio is corrected using T3 with levothyroxine. He lists percent improvements across many conditions, including 65% for excessive hair loss in women. He quotes authors arguing that TSH is unreliable and that T4/T3 therapy should be guided by clinical criteria.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-16 original
Case report of 55-year-old female with multiple symptoms resolved through T3 and T4 optimization targeting T3:reverse T3 ratio; migraines, headaches, vertigo, aural fullness, itching, bronchitis, and allergies completely resolved after 3 years of metabolic optimization.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-17 original
Author cites a study showing treatment of hypothyroidism with levothyroxine eliminated depression symptoms and correlations between failing memory and T3/T4; posits hypothyroidism causes depression through low brain energy.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-20 original
Niacinamide may block free radical processes and lighten skin pigment; cited study shows 4% niacinamide effective in 40% of melasma patients. Embedded quote attributes hypothyroidism as melasma cause with levothyroxine treatment reducing hyperpigmentation 80% over 1.5 years.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-20 original
lowmegatron lists symptom frequencies in hypothyroid patients as reported in Broda Barnes's 'Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness'. They include 76% coarse hair, 57% hair loss and 41% brittle nails. He says many persist despite modern treatment and notes that Barnes used basal temperature, symptoms and NDT response.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-20 original
Historical context that arthritis was standard sign of hypothyroidism in 1930s. Ray Peat anecdote: patient with stress/injury-induced arthritis resolved with levothyroxine treatment within two weeks, remaining free of arthritis for 15 years. Cited study shows thyroid involvement in rheumatological disorders irrespective of autoimmune status.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-22 original
Thyroid hormone T3 is critical for energy production and metabolism; ~50% of basal metabolic rate depends on thyroid hormone; author cautions T3 is for correcting deficiency, not universal fat-loss supplement; includes historical citation and mechanistic explanation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-22 original
lowmegatron argues that T3 stimulates new, thicker hair growth and skin rejuvenation. He says hair and skin problems were once recognised hypothyroid symptoms, that NDT corrects them because it provides T3, and that levothyroxine rarely does.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-22 original
TSH is poor marker for thyroid hormone sufficiency at tissue level; study shows no correlation between TSH and target tissue thyroid hormone effects; clinical and metabolic presentation plus free T4 should guide treatment, not TSH; includes Zulewski clinical scoring system (12 signs/symptoms) and tissue-level markers (ankle reflex, cholesterol, creatine kinase).
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-23 original
Levothyroxine (T4) normalizes TSH but does not correct low metabolic rate in obese hypothyroid women. Poor T4-to-T3 conversion limits efficacy. Natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) and T3 supplementation produce superior weight loss outcomes compared to levothyroxine alone, even at equivalent TSH ranges. Multiple studies demonstrate preference for T3-containing regimens.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-24 original
Chinese medicine treated hypothyroidism with thyroid glands from animals as early as the 6th-7th century CE, providing active thyroid hormone superior to modern single-hormone approaches. Historical example cites preparation of gelded ram thyroid glands dried and formed into pills for goiter treatment.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-24 original
Ray Peat on thyroid hormone T4-to-T3 conversion: requires glucose, selenium, adequate protein, and specific nutrient ratios; discusses mineral balance, estrogen interference, and optimal dosing strategies for thyroid replacement therapy including desiccated thyroid and synthetic combinations.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-25 own thread
Quotes Ray Peat saying obsessive and compulsive patterns can sometimes be resolved by supporting brain energy metabolism, for example with magnesium and thyroid supplements.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-25 own thread
Quotes Ray Peat claiming the correct dose of T3 with magnesium is a reliable treatment for insomnia, cramps and anxiety from fatigue, aging or alcohol withdrawal.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-25 own thread
Quotes Ray Peat claiming many women with abnormal Pap smears, including biopsy-indicated carcinoma in situ, returned to normal in two months on a diet with protein, magnesium chloride, vitamins A, E, C and B-vitamins, thyroid and progesterone as needed, and liver twice weekly.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-25 own thread
Quotes Ray Peat saying men diagnosed with scleroderma reported symptom regression with thyroid, magnesium, epsom salt baths, topical progesterone and vitamin E; he suspects mitochondrial CO2 removes calcium. The quoted context is the author's own post on making magnesium bicarbonate water from magnesium hydroxide and carbonated water.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-25 original
Quoted post claims T3 thyroid hormone stimulates hair growth and skin rejuvenation; older NDT treatment provided physiologically relevant T3 dose whereas levothyroxine rarely does. Cites animal studies showing dose-dependent increases in hair growth and dermal thickening, and a case report of hair regrowth after thyroid treatment.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-26 original
Author cites studies showing TSH is poor measure for guiding thyroid therapy severity, with no or weak correlations to clinical presentation or tissue thyroid hormone action. Argues treatment should be guided by clinical/metabolic presentation and free thyroxine, not TSH. Includes quoted post describing similar findings about TSH limitations and clinical scoring methods.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-26 original
lowmegatron quotes a patient's notes describing improvement after switching from levothyroxine to NDT, including clearing eczema and no longer losing hair. He explains that levothyroxine (T4) must be converted to T3 and claims NDT's added T3 accounts for the improvements. Levothyroxine is described as a storage form, and the post refers to an image showing physical changes in hypothyroidism and recovery.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-27 original
Ray Peat quoted on high metabolic rate increasing vitamin A requirement due to pregnenolone and progesterone synthesis; clarification that preformed retinol/retinyl esters from animal foods are meant, not plant carotenes. Embedded post by lowmegatron discusses thyroid hormone imbalance effects on sebaceous glands and acne, cites studies on vitamin A and acne, quotes Peat on vitamin A-thyroid balance for acne management via hormone effects on skin cell turnover.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-27 original
Research on thyroid hormone (T3) regulation of exploratory behavior in animals and psychiatric symptoms in humans with thyroid dysfunction; study showing cortical T3 induces exploratory and risk-taking behavior in mice. Embedded post by lowmegatron discusses thyroid hormone decline effects on memory and depression treatment outcomes using levothyroxine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-28 original
Major brand levothyroxine recall: specific batches found to be subpotent (contain less than labeled amount). Detailed lot numbers, dosages, expiration dates and shipping date provided.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-28 original
Hypothyroidism impairs nighttime glucose homeostasis, triggering elevated adrenaline and cortisol that disrupt sleep; T3 supplementation may improve sleep depth in some hypothyroid individuals; cited research on thyroid dysfunction and sleep architecture.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-29 original
Ray Peat reports that chewing 5 mcg Cytomel (synthetic T3) rapidly restores memory within 3–5 minutes, with peak effect at 90 minutes. Dose of 25 mcg daily caused hypothyroid arrhythmia (heart pauses every 6 seconds lasting 1–2 seconds) within weeks; 10 mcg Cytomel immediately restored normal rhythm. Thyroid supplements had similar effect in Peat's acquaintances with arrhythmia and circulation problems from hypothyroidism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-30 original
Author explains hypothyroidism mechanism involving glucose metabolism, adrenaline toxicity, and how T3 addition to T4 monotherapy improves anxiety, depression and quality of life, citing Ray Peat and multiple peer-reviewed studies.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-30 original
Author lists interventions shown to lower thyroid antibodies in autoimmune thyroiditis, citing multiple peer-reviewed studies. Cautions that selenium and vitamin D optimization requires measurement, not blind supplementation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-30 original
Author analyzes two studies on over-the-counter thyroid glandular and NDT products, finding 8 of 19 products contained no thyroid hormones, massive variance in T4 (65-fold) and T3 (71-fold) content, while prescription Armour Thyroid remains consistent at ~90% labeled potency.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-31 original
Author quotes Ray Peat on the historical dosing standards and composition uncertainty of freeze-dried bovine thyroid products, noting lack of industry knowledge about whether products are 1X, 3X strength or other concentrations.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-07-31 original
T3 thyroid hormone treatment resolves 10-year history of symptoms including anxiety, low energy, poor digestion, and conversation difficulty. Person reports rapid optimization of TSH, FT3, FT4 within 10 days and recovery of prior self. Embedded post discusses urinary free T3 testing superiority and NDT medication advantages over levothyroxine alone.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-01 original
First-person account of symptom improvements from levothyroxine to combined levothyroxine + T3 treatment: improved word-finding, cognition, libido, dopamine responsiveness, sleep quality, toenail growth, peripheral metabolism, social function within 2 weeks with sustained plateau by 8+ weeks. Transient anxiety resolved during adaptation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-01 own thread
The author summarizes research linking higher TSH and subclinical hypothyroidism to insulin resistance, including rat data on TLR4 and inflammatory signaling and a retrospective human study finding TSH associated with HOMA-IR. T3 treatment improved insulin signaling in rodents. The quoted context is the author's post with Ray Peat and studies on hypothyroidism, adrenaline and T4/T3 combination therapy.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-02 original
Direct quotation of Ray Peat stating that hypothyroidism elevates blood cholesterol and thyroid hormone replacement normalizes it proportional to basal metabolic rate restoration. Author notes Dr. Broda Barnes achieved 90% reduction in expected heart attacks using NDT with careful dosing, and recommends medical supervision rather than self-dosing T3.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-03 original
Author explains hormone effects on skin pigmentation: estrogen darkens, progesterone lightens; thyroid status affects melanin synthesis; cites research on membrane receptors (GPER, PAQR7) and Ray Peat interpretation; notes subclinical hypothyroidism as cause of hyperpigmentation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-03 original
Author acknowledges receiving frequent questions about hypothyroidism diagnosis, supplementation, and thyroid hormone dosing; indicates these are complex questions without simple answers; references linked content.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-03 own thread
The author says levothyroxine (T4) is the most common treatment for true hypothyroidism but must be converted to T3, and claims conversion is rarely optimal on levothyroxine alone. They claim adding some T3 "kickstarts" conversion and gives a stable T3 supply through the day, and that blood tests can be normal while T3 activity is suboptimal and symptoms persist.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-03 own thread
Lowmegatron claims TSH responds well to levothyroxine but ends up over-suppressed relative to the thyroid hormone available to cells. He says a low TSH does not mean thyroid hormone is adequate. He argues that required doses and T4:T3 ratios vary hugely between people, comparing this to insulin dosing in type 1 diabetes.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-03 own thread
Lowmegatron claims that even large doses of T3 may not work if nutrition is inadequate, and that a high-stress state tends to block T3.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-05 original
Hypothesis that thyroid hormone resistance may underlie fibromyalgia, citing evidence that supraphysiologic T3 doses are safe and effective for euthyroid fibromyalgia patients despite normal thyroid lab values, with emphasis on caution regarding T3 dosing.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-05 original
Mechanism by which thyroid hormone determines cavity susceptibility through effects on saliva quality and salivary gland function, with multiple animal and human study citations.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-05 own thread
Lowmegatron quotes a rat study abstract. Dietary desiccated thyroid-induced hyperthyroidism was linked to a lower relative prevalence of dental caries and to changes in saliva proteins, while PTU-induced hypothyroidism was linked to more caries. The abstract concludes that salivary gland function and caries are closely related to thyroid physiology.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-06 original
Discussion of learned helplessness phenomenon in animals and Ray Peat's view on hopelessness as psychological response to inescapable stress, with identification of T3 as substance that can reverse learned helplessness.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-06 original
Explains how levothyroxine monotherapy may lower brain T3 levels and cause depression, contrasting with physiological T3:T4 ratios. Discusses conversion capacity variation, brain thyroid hormone concentration mechanisms, T3 augmentation antidepressant effects, and depression-thyroid associations.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-07 original
Describes mechanism of thyroid replacement therapy reversing hypertension in hypothyroid patients. Embedded post elaborates on thyroid role in efficient glucose energy production, adrenaline release from hypothyroidism, and comparison of T4 monotherapy versus T4/T3 combination therapy effects on anxiety, depression, and quality of life.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-07 original
Describes arthritic pain as overlooked symptom of low thyroid hormone availability. Cites research on thyroid involvement in rheumatological disorders, presents detailed case of hypothyroidism presenting as destructive arthropathy reversed by levothyroxine, describes rheumatic manifestations in children responsive to thyroid replacement, and includes Ray Peat anecdote about rapid arthritis resolution with thyroid treatment.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-07 original
Mold exposure induces stress and lowers thyroid hormone conversion causing hypothyroid symptoms despite normal thyroid gland; case series of 4 patients unable to work on levothyroxine (T4) alone who recovered when T3 was added and returned to mold-free buildings; mechanism attributed to non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS).
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-08 original
Hypoglycemia was a recognized symptom of hypothyroidism historically but omitted from modern textbooks; multiple sources (Broda Barnes, Ray Peat, clinical case reports, animal studies) document that thyroid hormones enable efficient glucose production and that hypothyroidism causes glucose waste leading to hypoglycemia.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-08 original
Ray Peat quoted explaining that stress (cortisol and adrenaline) can shift T4 metabolism toward reverse T3 formation; emphasizes selenium as crucial nutrient for T4 to T3 conversion across all tissues requiring seafood intake (~weekly).
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-08 original
Hypothyroid men have lower libido, lower sperm count, higher prolactin, and twice the prevalence of clinical hypogonadism (13.8% vs 6.5%); mechanism involves T3-mediated STAr protein expression in Leydig cells limiting cholesterol transport for testosterone synthesis; T3 addition to T4 therapy improves sexual desire in biochemically euthyroid men with persistent symptoms.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-08 original
Ray Peat anecdote on muscle gain inability in hypothyroidism; notes low testosterone and high cortisol shift body composition from muscle to fat; mentions thyroid hormone excess also causes muscle wasting.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-09 original
Progesterone and thyroid supplementation resolved 4-year histamine intolerance in 3 days despite normal thyroid labs; progesterone inhibits mast cell degranulation; hypothyroidism increases mast cell population and histamine content; embedded quote links thyroid hormone to CO2 production and mast cell regulation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-09 original
Well-designed study comparing natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) to levothyroxine showed NDT superior with 2.5-6.5× lower symptom rates; NDT dosing based on symptoms and urinary free T3, not TSH; T3 is active hormone; levo has minimal biological activity; improvement averaged 69% compared to <25% placebo effect.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-10 original
Author reports multiple anecdotes linking plantar fasciitis to low thyroid hormone; NDT treatment and increased carbohydrate intake resolved foot pain; embedded study shows higher TSH and lower T3/T4 in plantar fasciitis patients.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-10 original
Hypothyroid men have lower libido, lower sperm count, and higher prolactin; they are twice as likely to have clinically low testosterone. T3 enhances testosterone biosynthesis via STAr protein expression in Leydig cells. Correcting hypothyroidism can double testosterone and halve prolactin. Subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH 4.5–10) also causes sexual dysfunction. Adding T3 to T4 therapy improves sexual desire.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-11 original
Topical CO2 application accelerates bone healing and increases bone density in a rat femoral defect model. At 4 weeks, CO2-treated bones showed 4× higher healing rate (18% vs 72%), 12× greater ultimate stress, 6× greater extrinsic stiffness, 9× greater failure energy, and 37% higher volumetric bone mineral density (180 vs 248). CO2-infused water or SodaStream cylinders suggested as delivery methods. Embedded quote from lowmegatron references Ray Peat on vitamin K2 and aspirin for bone health.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-11 original
Quotation from McGavack's clinical text states methimazole is the least toxic and most efficient antithyroid compound compared to iodine, propylthiouracil, and methylthiouracil. Embedded quote from lowmegatron describes iodine-induced hypothyroidism from habitual Povidone-iodine gargling and excessive kelp/kombu consumption, with case study of Japanese man whose TSH normalized when iodine sources were removed.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-12 own thread
Quotes Ray Peat as saying that lacking selenium or vitamin D can leave T4 unconverted so it accumulates and interferes with T3, becoming antithyroid, and that he thinks 100 micrograms of selenium is a safe supplement. The quoted context is the author's own claim that selenium concentration is highest in the thyroid and that deficiency is associated with several thyroid conditions.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-12 own thread
lowmegatron notes liothyronine is the pharmaceutical name for T3. He claims over half of depressed patients respond to T3, citing a trial in which 10 of 17 responded to liothyronine, 9 of 17 to lithium and 3 of 16 to placebo as augmentation of tricyclic antidepressants in refractory unipolar depression.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-12 own thread
lowmegatron says T3 reduces depression in people on the SSRI sertraline, with those who had lower baseline T3 improving more. He quotes a randomized trial reporting response rates of 70% versus 50% and remission of 58% versus 38% for sertraline plus liothyronine versus sertraline plus placebo.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-12 own thread
lowmegatron says 25% of antidepressant-resistant patients responded to T3. He quotes a STAR*D report with remission of 15.9% on lithium and 24.7% on T3 augmentation, a difference not statistically significant, and notes lithium had more side effects and dropouts.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-12 own thread
lowmegatron comments that T3 is not an antidepressant, but that many depression cases reflect low brain energy. He claims optimizing brain T3 normalizes ATP production and that TSH and T4 tests cannot reliably infer T3. He warns T3 is a metabolic stimulant that can be dangerous in excess, especially with heart issues. He also argues the standard 25 mcg+ once-daily research doses are suboptimal and that more physiological dosing would likely improve results.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-13 original
T3 (active thyroid hormone) has been neglected in favor of T4 in thyroid research and treatment. Ray Peat distinguished low T3 activity from traditional hypothyroidism definition. Multiple causes beyond gland dysfunction can produce low T3 symptoms.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-14 original
Ray Peat statement on muscle knots/myofascial pain causes; study showing muscle knots reduced with thyroid hormone in patients with normal thyroid labs but hypothyroid symptoms.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-14 original
Historical case study and recent research on thyroid hormone T4 for hearing improvement. Hypothyroidism causes hearing loss; thyroid hormone treatment shows improvement. Resistance to thyroid hormone associated with elevated hearing loss risk. Embedded post describes thyroid hormone resistance genetic basis and associated health conditions.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-15 own thread
lowmegatron says reduced motility is the central GI manifestation of hypothyroidism, with low stomach acid, delayed gastric emptying, constipation and SIBO. He proposes tissue waterlogging as a likely mechanism. He says levothyroxine monotherapy is more strongly associated with SIBO and offers possible reasons (inadequate T3, sicker patients, longer duration), which he suspects combine. He quotes a cohort finding that levothyroxine was a stronger predictor of SIBO than hypothyroidism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-16 original
Brief claim that impulsive and violent men tend towards reactive hypoglycemia with citation links. Embedded post by lowmegatron discusses hypothyroidism-related hypoglycemia, mechanisms of glucose dysregulation, and thyroid therapy effects on liver glycogen and blood sugar.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-16 original
Comparison of bonobo and chimpanzee development showing bonobos retain elevated thyroid hormone T3 into adulthood, correlating with their playful and friendly behavior versus chimpanzee aggression. Embedded post links thyroid hormone T3 to reversal of learned helplessness in humans and personal testimony of mood/depression recovery with T3 supplementation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-17 original
Author lists interventions claimed to decrease chronically elevated cortisol, including light exposure, dietary fats, micronutrients, supplements, and lifestyle factors. Quoted source discusses mold-induced stress lowering thyroid hormone T3 conversion and successful T3 supplementation in four patients previously unresponsive to levothyroxine.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-17 original
Author claims hypothyroidism stimulates adrenal output and sympathetic nervous system, doubling adrenaline and noradrenaline and increasing cortisol by 60%, citing study on thyroid hormone role in blood pressure. Embedded quote from lowmegatron discusses forgotten hypoglycemia symptom of hypothyroidism, quoting Ray Peat, Broda Barnes, and citing multiple studies on thyroid-glucose metabolism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-18 original
Author quotes clinical observation that patients with myofascial pain and mild hypothyroid-like symptoms refractory to standard therapies responded to mildly supraphysiological thyroid hormone dose. Embedded post attributes Ray Peat statement on hypothyroidism and parathyroid hormone as main causes of muscle knots, with clinical study citation.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-18 original
Hashimoto's patients with normal TSH experience fatigue and pain despite normal TSH levels. Levothyroxine monotherapy fails to optimize T3, whereas physiologic NDT or combined levo+liothyronine reduces residual symptoms. NDT dosed by symptoms rather than TSH shows substantially lower rates of constipation, headache, muscle cramps, depression, rheumatoid symptoms, cold intolerance, and fatigue compared to levothyroxine. Rheumatic manifestations of hypothyroidism in children resolve with thyroid replacement.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-19 original
Personal anecdote: T3 (Cytomel) improved deep sleep onset, reduced 4am tachycardia and panic attacks. T3+T4 combination may improve slow-wave sleep compared to T4 alone, though uncertainty acknowledged. Citation describes decreased stages 3-4 sleep in untreated hypothyroidism. Embedded post promotes author's video course and online community on hypothyroidism understanding.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-19 original
Ray Peat explains adrenaline compensation for low thyroid function dilates pupils. Levothyroxine works when liver has sufficient glucose and is not stressed by adrenaline. Combined T4+T3 formulations (Armour thyroid, Novotiral) superior to levothyroxine alone for stress hormone patterns. Cannabis interferes with liver function; recovery requires adequate protein and nutrients (orange juice, eggs, milk, cheese, cooked mushrooms, occasional shellfish).
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-20 original
The author quotes a patient testimonial saying desiccated thyroid (NDT) resolved hair loss, fatigue and other symptoms after years on levothyroxine. He explains that NDT contains T3 and T4, claims people who fail on levothyroxine cannot make enough T3, and says synthetic T3/T4 combinations usually work as well as NDT when dosed properly.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-21 own thread
lowmegatron quotes a case report in which a woman with subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH 7.02, free T4 1.06) and hyperpigmentation improved after levothyroxine. He adds that estrogen is another possible cause and that any benefit from levothyroxine depends on conversion to T3. The quoted parent discusses thyroid antibodies, estrogen and melasma.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-21 original
Mucopolysaccharides accumulate in tissue when T3 is low, causing tissue bloating and edema in hypothyroidism. Symptoms include nasal congestion, voice changes, carpal tunnel, joint issues. Shows before/after photos of women treated with NDT (which contains both T3 and T4), contrasting with levothyroxine (T4 only). Embedded quote promotes NDT video course and community.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-22 original
Patient testimonial contrasting levothyroxine (T4) alone with NDT (natural desiccated thyroid) containing T3; claims NDT resolved depression, pain, and relationship dysfunction. Mechanism: insufficient T3 from T4 monotherapy; NDT provides T3 directly and improves conversion.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-22 original
Critique of low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet recommendations for hypothyroid patients: caloric restriction and low carbohydrate intake impair T4-to-T3 conversion, worsening hypothyroidism while requiring progressive caloric reduction. Five peer-reviewed studies cited showing calorie and carbohydrate effects on thyroid hormone metabolism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-23 original
Ginger and vitamin B1 (thiamine) improve specific hypothyroid symptoms; ginger reduces TSH and improves multiple symptom domains at 500 mg twice daily; thiamine 600 mg daily reduces fatigue in Hashimoto's patients, with treatment claims of partial/complete regression within hours to days.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-24 original
Glucose metabolism is reduced in ADHD-related brain regions; hypothyroidism and thyroid hormone resistance impair brain glucose metabolism; TSH within normal range but elevated correlates with ADHD symptoms and reduced cognitive function in preschoolers; thyroid hormone supplementation restores glucose metabolism in brain regions affected by hypothyroidism.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-24 original
Explanation of bidirectional relationship between H. pylori and hypothyroidism: H. pylori lowers stomach acid impairing levothyroxine/NDT absorption; hypothyroidism lowers stomach acid favoring H. pylori growth. Quotes Ray Peat on stomach acid role and cites studies on H. pylori effects on thyroid function and gastric acid secretion.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-24 original
Fact claim that nearly one-third of UK hypothyroid patients on levothyroxine still have elevated TSH, questioning healthcare system performance.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-25 original
H. pylori lowers stomach acid impairing levothyroxine absorption; eradication lowers TSH and increases thyroid hormone levels, sometimes excessively. High TSH on high levothyroxine doses may indicate H. pylori or malabsorption. Embedded post on vitamin C's role in H. pylori prevention and treatment efficacy.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-25 original
Comprehensive safety review of prescribed T3 (liothyronine) finding no risk from proper medical use; meta-analysis shows 30% lower mortality with T3 vs. T4. Side effects only reported in unsupervised use or pharmacy errors. No increased risk of atrial fibrillation, heart failure, or stroke. Cites systematic review study; notes T3 safety requires proper dosing and monitoring.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-25 original
TRH increases blood pressure, resting pulse, and prolactin, which can lower testosterone and progesterone. TRH rises when thyroid hormones are low and stimulates TSH. When the thyroid does not adequately respond, TRH remains elevated. The embedded quoted post describes a patient's experience with T3 supplementation improving sleep quality and reducing nocturnal symptoms.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-26 original
Discusses how TSH of 4 may not indicate optimal thyroid hormone status, particularly T3. Levothyroxine monotherapy suppresses TSH while reducing T3 bioavailability in peripheral tissues. Natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) increases available T3 and reduces anxiety. Low T3 hyperactivates adrenals and increases adrenaline/noradrenaline, contributing to anxiety. T3 optimization (not just TSH optimization) is needed; high T3 also causes anxiety.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-26 original
Thyroid hormone is the primary driver of metamorphosis. Blocking thyroid function halts metamorphosis while feeding and growth continue, resulting in giant infantile tadpoles. Excess thyroid hormone produces miniature frogs. Historical and experimental evidence from tadpole studies demonstrates this relationship.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-26 original
Author presents study findings on TSH vs T3 dynamics in levothyroxine-treated hypothyroid patients, arguing TSH normalization does not reliably indicate T3 normalization, and that routine T3 measurement should be considered despite clinical guideline omissions.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-27 original
Author presents two historical case reports of psychosis secondary to hypothyroidism, resolving with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-08-28 original
Thyroid hormone, particularly T3, is a primary regulator of blood cholesterol. Elevated cholesterol often indicates hypothyroidism. T3 therapy produces greater cholesterol reduction (13% LDL, 11% total cholesterol, 18% apolipoprotein B) compared to T4 alone at equivalent TSH suppression, and also reduces body weight via increased metabolic rate.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-01 original
Thyroid hormones regulate ferritin synthesis independent of iron stores; thyroid status affects multiple iron-related biomarkers including ferritin, hemoglobin, transferrin, and TIBC. Reticulocyte hemoglobin may help distinguish thyroid-driven ferritin changes from iron deficiency.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-02 original
Patient medical notes from 12–13 year levothyroxine user who switched to NDT 120 mg and reported resolution of dry skin, constipation, brain fog, fatigue, cold intolerance, and pain. Post explains NDT contains both T4 and T3 while levothyroxine is T4 only; NDT is prescription with standardized hormone levels, unlike unregulated over-the-counter products.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-02 own thread
lowmegatron quotes a person who says thyroid meds helped many things because the thyroid affects every body system, and that they were thrilled to stop anti-depressants.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-02 own thread
lowmegatron quotes a person who was told they had anxiety/depression. They say they got off Lexapro safely once thyroid meds kicked in, and that their panic is much reduced.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-03 original
Levothyroxine monotherapy maintains normal TSH but produces elevated T4:T3 ratio, potentially leaving metabolic impairment unaddressed; combined T4/T3 therapy or desiccated thyroid produce higher T3 and lower T4 ratios. Embedded quote describes personal experience switching from levothyroxine to NDT with symptom improvement.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-03 original
Hospitalized heart failure patients with low T3 have higher mortality; two trials show T3 supplementation improves cardiac performance metrics including stroke volume, ejection fraction, and walking distance while lowering cardiac stress markers. Embedded quote discusses thyroid hormone control of cardiac function and stress-induced suppression of T3.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-08 original
lowmegatron states that eyebrows can regrow once thyroid hormone levels are corrected. He quotes a paper saying normal telogen-anagen hair relationships were restored with desiccated thyroid replacement, implying thyroid hormone affects hair growth initiation and duration.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-08 original
Hypothyroidism causes nasal congestion through mucous gland enlargement and tissue edema. Quoted account (lowmegatron) explains the mechanism: T3 is required to break down mucopolysaccharides; when T3 is low, these accumulate causing tissue swelling, nasal congestion, voice changes, carpal tunnel syndrome, and joint issues. NDT USP (desiccated thyroid containing T3) differs from levothyroxine (T4 only).
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-09 original
Broda Barnes' method of assessing thyroid status via basal temperature, symptoms, and response to desiccated thyroid accounts for hormone conversion and resistance in ways levothyroxine plus blood tests cannot. These markers often reveal insufficient thyroid hormone activity better than blood tests, though blood tests should not be ignored. Distinguishes between thyroid gland function and thyroid hormone status.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-10 original
Hypothyroidism increases homocysteine; thyroid hormone replacement lowers it. While most homocysteine-lowering interventions show minimal cardiovascular benefit, Broda Barnes' thyroid therapy method reportedly achieved significant heart attack and stroke reductions. Both Barnes and Kountz cautioned against initiating therapy at high doses in cardiac patients.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-11 own thread
lowmegatron says Barnes treated patients with NDT, which he says gets around many conversion issues because it contains some T3. He says Barnes diagnosed based on basal temperature, signs and symptoms, and response to an NDT trial. The author claims basal temperature reflects cellular thyroid hormone activity and can reveal what blood tests miss.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-11 own thread
lowmegatron says that in the 1930s G. K. Wharton reported improvements in a long list of symptoms (migraine, menstrual irregularities, dry skin and hair, acne, fatigue, low libido and others) in cases of hypothyroidism that the standards of the day did not recognize. The parent posts discuss Barnes, NDT and basal temperature, but this post does not itself mention them.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-13 original
Thyroid extract historically used for migraine; high estrogen associated with migraine. Broda Barnes found low basal temperature in migraineurs; NDT or combination thyroid therapy corrected temperature and resolved migraines in most cases. Thyroid and sex hormone irregularities do not account for all migraine causes.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-13 original
Vitamin C improves levothyroxine absorption, lowers TSH, and improves quality of life in hypothyroid patients requiring high-dose levothyroxine, per proof-of-concept pilot study.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-15 original
Historical account of Chinese thyroid treatment in 652 AD using seaweed and thyroid gland-containing animal parts ('yeh'). Notes iodine deficiency as historical context. Embedded quote discusses Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT) formulations, T4/T3 ratios, mechanism, and brand comparisons.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-15 original
General health optimization guidance recommending 'basic' nutrient coverage before exotic interventions. Lists common deficient micronutrients: magnesium, potassium, selenium, vitamins D, C, E, K1/2, thiamine. Advises testing and dietary sources before supplementation. Cites foundational lifestyle: sunlight, sleep, walking. Embedded quote discusses interventions that lower thyroid antibodies.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-16 original
Case presentation of 39-year-old woman with nasal congestion, throat tightness, swollen eyes, and persistent flu-like symptoms for months, plus cold intolerance, constipation, weight gain. Diagnosed with hypothyroidism and treated with levothyroxine 150 mcg. All symptoms resolved by 12 weeks. Embedded quoted post explains mechanism: thyroid hormone receptors in nasal mucosa cause edema and inflammation when thyroid hormone is low.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-19 original
Author reports anecdote of European individual desiccating sheep thyroid for his wife due to inability to obtain T3 or NDT through medical channels; contextualizes within quoted post about FDA intent to ban NDT and explains NDT composition.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-19 original
Lowering TSH can unblock nasal congestion by reducing mucopolysaccharide production in turbinates and subcutaneous tissue; treatment of hypothyroidism resolves nasal obstruction; quoted post details NOSE and PNIF measurements showing 100% congestion relief in 1 month and 11-21% airflow improvement; PMID cited.
Source summary and thread relationship - @lowmegatron · 2026-09-23 original
Urinary T3 concentrations differ between levothyroxine and NDT (natural desiccated thyroid); NDT restores urinary T3 to healthy levels and reduces hypothyroid symptoms 2.5-6.5× more than levothyroxine. Shares quoted research on symptom comparisons and NDT dosing protocols.
Source summary and thread relationship