T3 contains the hormone Triiodothyronine – it is an iodized amino acid that stimulates the cells of the thyroid gland and has the ability to extract iodine from the blood plasma. It regulates the normal growth and development of the body, affects the regulation of metabolism and the activity of the nervous system. This hormone is often used for weight loss, because it speeds up metabolism in an incredible way.
Doses range from 25-50 micrograms (µg) daily, starting with 25, and some athletes (including women) divide the tablet in half and achieve great results.
Be careful before using this product because it is very powerful and effective. Make sure you do not have thyroid problems as it can cause health problems.
The hormone T3 (triiodothyronine) is suitable for weight loss, but before that it is advisable to have your thyroid tested because you probably do not need to take it.
The thyroid gland is one of the conductors of the hormonal system in the body. For this reason, any serious examination today should include an examination of the thyroid gland and the levels of hormones secreted by it. The thyroid gland itself is shaped like a butterfly and is located like a shield (hence the name) in front of the trachea, immediately below the Adam's apple. In a normal state, it weighs about 20 g and is difficult to feel. Its main function is to produce a certain type of endocrine hormones from iodine and proteins, which in turn regulate the following processes:
• body temperature and heat release;
• the development and growth of the organism;
• metabolism;
• behavior;
• brain maturation in newborns.

How the thyroid gland works
It is composed of so-called follicles - vesicles in which the two main hormones are produced - triiodothyronine (shortly called T3) and thyroxine (T4). For this purpose, the gland uses iodine introduced into the body with food. T4 is the prohormone, while in fact T3 is the active hormone, which is 3 to 8 times more active than T4. The two hormones are stored in the so-called follicles, binding to a protein called thyroglobulin. When they enter the bloodstream, both hormones live relatively short. Their secretion depends on the hypothalamus, which, upon “registering” a need for them in the body, secretes a protein called TRX.
The protein TRX binds to certain receptors in the pituitary gland, and the pituitary gland, stimulated in this way, secretes a hormone called TSH – thyroid-stimulating hormone (thyroid is the Latin name for the thyroid gland). TSH binds to receptors in the thyroid cells, activates the second messenger system and begins the synthesis of T4. It is released into the blood, reaches the target tissues and organs, where it is converted to T3 and exerts its biological effect.
Since T3 and T4 are not soluble in water and cannot move independently in the blood, they are usually bound to a transport system called TSH - thyroid-binding globulin. As with the other hormones already known to us, only free T3 is active. When it enters the brain in larger quantities, it binds to receptors in the hypothalamus and blocks the release of TRH, that is, it stops the secretion of thyroid hormones. Thus, nature has created a mechanism for self-control of hormone production, called negative feedback.
Most often, the entry of T3 into the cell leads to activation of the cell nucleus and the production of a certain type of protein that meets the corresponding needs - proteins, the lack of which has stimulated the hypothalamus to begin the synthesis of thyroid hormones.

Increased and decreased thyroid function
With increased function of the gland (hyperthyroidism), which is expressed by increased production of T3 and T4, typical symptoms are registered. First of all, the metabolism works at an abnormally high speed, there is an increase in body temperature, heart rate, and often blood pressure. Insomnia, tremors, frequent sweating, diarrhea and increased appetite are observed, but without any weight gain. This most often happens when certain areas of the gland do not “obey” the control of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and produce more than the necessary amount of hormones.
A similar condition can occur in autoimmune disease, when the body itself produces immune substances that stimulate the growth and “disobedience” of the gland. This leads to an increase, called in Bulgaria “goiter”. The mechanism of our well-known Graves’ disease is similar. It is characterized by bulging eyes. Only 20 percent of this type of disease affects the male sex. Most often, hyperthyroidism is treated with medication with very good results, but often, in order to destroy the gland, the application of radioactive iodine is necessary. Then comes the replacement treatment with thyroid hormones, which lasts until the end of life.
With reduced thyroid function, the body suffers from a lack of T3 and T4, the most common cause being a lack of iodine in the diet. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland “catch” this deficiency and stimulate the gland to continuously produce more and more hormones, which is not possible. The gland grows enormously, a “goiter” is formed, which, unlike the one described above, does not produce enough T3 and T4. The energy in the body is not enough, all processes proceed more slowly and sluggishly – there is impaired mental concentration, easy fatigue, cold flashes, apathy, and often depressive moods. Although they rarely occur in men, these conditions should not be underestimated by doctors. Moreover, advancing age also leads to a poorer production of hormones. Mild forms of the disease are treated by adding iodine to the diet, and more severe ones – with replacement therapy with thyroid hormones.

Why is body temperature always around 36.8 degrees?
The main energy source for heat production in the body is the decomposition of substances. But why is body temperature most often exactly 36.8 C? The main reason for this is the vital enzymes that catalyze all processes in our body, which work best at this temperature and disrupt their activity (and the function of all important systems in the body) when it changes. Warm-blooded creatures (birds, mammals and humans) can exist normally only within narrow temperature ranges, and this is the evolutionary price they paid for their improvement.

Is my thyroid still functioning normally?
This is a question that almost every person asks themselves when they read more about the gland! Normal body temperature is an almost certain sign of a positive answer. Just take your temperature one morning – if it is higher than 36.8?C, seek medical help. The decrease in body temperature is most often due to a low amount of T3 and T4 in the blood, incorrect and incomplete breakdown of adipose tissue and insufficient energy and heat for the body. So, in addition to the symptoms described above, weight gain is also observed due to an increase in adipose tissue.

What can the doctor do?
Until recently, the thyroid gland in women was a secondary problem to be solved against the background of menopause. Practically no one talked about “male” changes in it. However, the treatment of disorders in the secretion of the gland is a very delicate and responsible mission, since the exact dosage of the preparations is a real art.
Today, thyroid dysfunction is more commonly diagnosed and is usually treated with replacement therapy. In the United States, 36 million prescriptions for thyroid hormone preparations were written in 1997. This is somewhat surprising, since it is known that only 4 percent of the aging population shows abnormalities in the secretion of T3 and T4. Paradoxically, the number of prescriptions containing hormone prescriptions is increasing every year. Does prescribing hormones to healthy people also have a prophylactic effect against the above-described consequences of thyroid hormone deficiency? This is not yet clear - but it will probably become clear in the near future!

How can T3 and T4 levels in the body be measured?
While with other hormones, aging leads to clearly pronounced changes, here the changes are not always present. In addition, the thyroid gland is perhaps the only endocrine organ whose impaired function can be relatively easily recognized (of course, by an experienced doctor) only by the typical symptoms - hormonal tests are not recommended for every patient. Or as Sir William Osler, one of the great doctors of the 19th century, said, “let the patient talk long enough, the diagnosis will appear by itself!”!

That is why it is best to self-monitor and record symptoms. Only if necessary, it is advisable to do a blood test for T3 and T4 – in free form, of course. It is possible that the hormone levels are normal and the patient still has complaints. For this reason, many specialists recommend testing the hormones in the urine, excreted for 24 hours. If such a method is used, it is advisable to additionally test the hormones from the adrenal cortex – cortisol is important for the conversion of T4 into T3.
Perhaps this is the place to reiterate the serious symptoms of insufficient secretion of thyroid hormones – low body temperature, apathy, easy fatigue, depressive moods, weight gain, dry skin and brittle nails, difficult-to-heal wounds, joint pain. When secretion is abnormally increased, there is increased body temperature, upset stomach and increased appetite, rapid pulse, restlessness, irritability, and palpitations.