Elevated testosterone boosting thyroid/T3 production?

[nothuman]

So I am noticing something strange and unexpected. I decided to raise my testosterone dose beyond TRT for the first time in years (from 15mg to 50mg daily). I normally have low T3 levels and have to take T3 to feel normal.

Well now taking that T3 is making me have hyper symptoms so I stopped and now I feel better. It’s the strangest thing.

I need to get labs soon to see if I can confirm this connection.

Does anyone notice their Free T3 level improves on an elevated dose of testosterone?

I found a rat study that says it could be possible but I’m still skeptical.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/and.12862#and12862-sec-0008-title

 

[Crazy_jay]

This article or "bullet point" is in reference to hypothyroidism despite blood work appearing to show hyperthyroidism. What's important is the article cited even though it was done on trans people.

4. Hypothyroidism Caused by Decreased TBG​

This is the mirror image of the pattern above. When TBG levels are low, levels of free thyroid hormone will be high. You might think this would cause hyperthyroid symptoms. But too much free thyroid hormone in the bloodstream causes the cells to develop resistance to it. So, even though there’s more than enough thyroid hormone, the cells can’t use it and you’ll have hypothyroid—not hyperthyroid—symptoms.

With this pattern, TSH and T4 will be normal. If tested, T3 will be high, and T3 uptake and TBG will be low.

Decreased TBG is caused by high testosterone levels. (5) In women, it is commonly associated with PCOS and insulin resistance. Reversing insulin resistance and restoring blood sugar balance is the key to treating this pattern.

This is the article cited (5)

The effects of sex-steroid administration on the pituitary-thyroid axis in transsexuals - PubMed

Oral but not transdermal estradiol increases TBG, whereas testosterone lowers TBG. Testosterone increases T3/T4 ratios. Estradiol does not affect T3/T4 ratios, irrespective of the route of administration.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[TheRoid]

Gonadal steroids exert their influence on thyroid function primarily by altering the clearance of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG). While estrogen administration causes an increase in serum TBG concentration, Testosterone (and/or AAS) therapy results in a decrease in this binding protein. As a result, serum free thyroxine goes up.

 

[bigzzz]

Do you still take T4 or quit that as well?

 

[qbkilla]

Your doctor prescribes you t3 or t4?

 

[Fa Seeshus]

My doctor (who works with hypothyroidism and her all the time) says that optimizing T levels does help with thyroid efficiency.

HCG also does, but it is harder to get now.

So hard to judge efficiency from bloodwork though. For example some stuff mimicks TSH and causes an increase in metabolism, but if you are judging someone's bloodwork based on having low TSH, then you would think they are a mess (even though they are actually doing better now). Sorry if this confused you more. There are people on here who can explain it much better.

 

[nothuman]

Do you still take T4 or quit that as well?

Your doctor prescribes you t3 or t4?

T4 made me feel worse so I just do T3

 

[qbkilla]

T4 made me feel worse so I just do T3

From the doctor or you buy on black market? My levels are in the low end of the range doctor seems to think I'm fine but won't test T3

 

[OuchThatHurts]

So I am noticing something strange and unexpected. I decided to raise my testosterone dose beyond TRT for the first time in years (from 15mg to 50mg daily). I normally have low T3 levels and have to take T3 to feel normal.

Well now taking that T3 is making me have hyper symptoms so I stopped and now I feel better. It’s the strangest thing.

I need to get labs soon to see if I can confirm this connection.

Does anyone notice their Free T3 level improves on an elevated dose of testosterone?

I found a rat study that says it could be possible but I’m still skeptical.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/and.12862#and12862-sec-0008-title

So are you hypo or no? Off everything, what does your Thyroid Panel look like?

 

[nothuman]

From the doctor or you buy on black market? My levels are in the low end of the range doctor seems to think I'm fine but won't test T3

I gave up a long time ago trying to get a cooperative thyroid doctor. It's a lost cause...so black market

 

[nothuman]

So are you hypo or no? Off everything, what does your Thyroid Panel look like?

Yea been hypo for years. Before taking thyroid hormone, it was
free T3 2.9
free t4 1.4
tsh 1.6
reverse t3 20
no thyroid antibodies

this might not look horrible but symptoms were debilitating

 

[Sully1234]

Yea been hypo for years. Before taking thyroid hormone, it was
free T3 2.9
free t4 1.4
tsh 1.6
reverse t3 20
no thyroid antibodies

this might not look horrible but symptoms were debilitating

Ranges?

That RT3 would worry me as well.

 

[Sully1234]

From the doctor or you buy on black market? My levels are in the low end of the range doctor seems to think I'm fine but won't test T3

Thyroid Health Test Package

The Thyroid Health Test Package panel contains 7 tests with 10 biomarkers.

www.ultalabtests.com

Or you can order individual tests. Just make sure you get free and total t3 tested.

 

[Sully1234]

Yea been hypo for years. Before taking thyroid hormone, it was
free T3 2.9
free t4 1.4
tsh 1.6
reverse t3 20
no thyroid antibodies

this might not look horrible but symptoms were debilitating

Ranges?

That RT3 would worry me as well.

Tried to edit. Just saw these were old labs.

I feel ya. I had thyroid issues for years but my TSH was "fine" so Endo's would finally see my Free T3 was below range and they'd say it didn't matter.