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A 46-year-old female asked:

I'm taking 100mgs of levothyroxine per day. my levels are normal now but i still can't lose weight. my doc won't give me t3 (liothyronine). can i take kelp also?

2 doctor answers4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Randy Baker
Holistic Medicine 42 years experience
Yes, however...: "normal" levels often aren't optimal levels. Many people have trouble converting T4 to T3 (liothyronine) & thus need T3 (liothyronine) too. Please ask your doctor to check free T3 (liothyronine) (& ideally reverse t3). People may not feel good until T3 (liothyronine) is in the upper half of the normal range. If your dr. Won't prescribe it, find one who will! kelp is ok but may not be enough. See http://www.Stopthethyroidmadness.Com/t4-only-meds-dont-work/.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Linda DiMeglio
Pediatric Endocrinology 30 years experience
Controversial answer... T3 levels vary widely. Kelp is not likely to help.
Nov 25, 2013
Dr. Alan Feldman
43 years experience
No kelp: The most common cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries is hashimotos thyroiditis. Taking iodine, as in kelp, makes this worse. There is a small percentage of people with hypothyroidism that feel better on T3 (liothyronine) (due to decreased T4 to T3 (liothyronine) conversion in the brain, not elsewhere). Taking T3 (liothyronine) will not help you lose weight any better. You need to eat less and exercise to lose weight.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Last updated Aug 9, 2019

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