Dr. Westin Childs Podcast: Thyroid | Weight Loss | Hormones

This is video#8 in my thyroid beginner series and it's all about T4 thyroid medication. T4 thyroid medications like Synthroid, Levothyroxine and Tirosint are among the most commonly prescribed thyroid medications but they don't always work. But why don't they work? Doctors make the assumption that your body will be able to convert T4 into T3 (to activate the hormone) at 100% efficiency. The problem is that we know, through genetic studies, that up to 15% of people struggle with this process. Some people have SNP's which alter the function of deiodinase enzymes and therefore reduce this conversion process. So why do Doctors still use them? Because T4 medications have a long half-life and are considered to be very safe (fewer side effects) when compared to other medications. In addition, many doctors aren't comfortable or familiar with other thyroid medications. Is all hope lost? No, because you can still use some strategies to improve thyroid function in your body even if you are taking thyroid me