Most conventional doctors in the United States and in the world treat thyroid imbalance with T4 medication such as Synthroid, levothyroxine, Levoxyl, Unithroid or another preparation. Other ways to treat the thyroid imbalance are Armour thyroid or Naturethroid (medications that combines the two thyroid hormones, T4 and T3).
While adding T3 to your thyroid treatment can improve some of your symptoms, it should be noted that treating hypothyroidism with Armour thyroid or Nature throid alone in high doses can result in thyroid hormone overmedication. Armour thyroid contains more T3 than the body needs when prescribed in high doses. Symptoms of overmedication could include palpitations, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, sweating, weight loss, and even GI symptoms.
Long term effects of thyroid hormone (T3) overmedication could be more severe such as muscle damage, cardiovascular effects, and even decreased memory. If you are concerned about thyroid overmedication, you should have your TSH, free T3, and free T4 levels checked.
