Triiodothyronine

Also known as:  Liothyronine;  T3

Triiodothyronine is a type of minor Hormone produced in and secreted by the Thyroid Gland - Triiodothyronine accounts for 20% of Thyroid Hormone production.  Triiodothyronine is approximately ten times more potent than Thyroxine (T4).

Although often under-discussed, the majority (80% - 85%) of biologically-active Triiodothyronine is produced in peripheral tissues other than the Thyroid Gland - specifically the Liver and (to a lesser extent) the Kidneys.  This occurs via the conversion of Thyroxine (T4) to Triiodothyronine.

Aging Process

 Triiodothyronine may possess Life Extension properties.  ^[1]

Cardiovascular System

 Triiodothyronine may improve the function of the Heart (by increasing cardiac output).  ^[2]

 Optimal Triiodothyronine levels may help to prevent (ischemic) Stroke.  ^[3]

Cells

 Triiodothyronine stimulates the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) in the Mitochondria.  ^[4]

Hair

 Triiodothyronine (applied topically) may be useful for the treatment of Hair Loss:  ^[5]

 Triiodothyronine (applied topically) may be useful for the treatment of Male Pattern Baldness.  ^[6]

Immune System

 Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients may be deficient in their endogenous production of Triiodothyronine (due to impairment in their Selenium absorption and metabolism - Selenium is an essential cofactor for the endogenous production of Triiodothyronine). 

 Low NK Lymphocytes levels/activity may occur as a result of low Triiodothyronine levels.  ^[7]

Metabolism

 Triiodothyronine increases the body’s Basal Metabolism (BMR) in almost every Cell of the body, and especially within the Muscles:  ^[8]

 Triiodothyronine can increase the BMR by 60% - 100%.

 Triiodothyronine increases the body’s production of Energy.  ^[9]

 Triiodothyronine (combined with other Thyroid Hormones) alleviates Hypothyroidism.  ^[10]

 Many persons afflicted with Obesity exhibit Triiodothyronine levels that are an average 30% lower than those of non-obese subjects.  Exogenous Triiodothyronine (40 micrograms per day) may facilitate weight loss in persons afflicted with Obesity:  ^[11]

 One of the means via which Triiodothyronine may facilitate weight loss in Obesity patients is by increasing the density of Beta-3 Adrenergic Receptors (i.e. it increases the number of Beta-3  Adrenergic Receptors on each Cell).

 Triiodothyronine enhances the body’s utilization of Oxygen.  ^[12]

 Triiodothyronine usually alleviates Wilson's Thyroid Syndrome (insufficient levels of Triiodothyronine are responsible for almost all of the symptoms of Wilson’s Thyroid Syndrome).  ^[13]

Musculoskeletal System

 One theory of the cause of Fibromyalgia states that it occurs as a result of a state of hypometabolism in the body’s Cells that can be corrected by supplementation with exogenous Triiodothyronine combined with regular Aerobic Exercise.  Clinical studies indicate that 75 - 150 micrograms per day of exogenous Triiodothyronine sometimes cures Fibromyalgia.  ^[14]

Nervous System

 Impaired Attention Span may occur as a result of insufficient of Triiodothyronine in the Brain.  ^[15]

 Triiodothyronine may increase the density of Beta-3 Adrenergic Receptors (i.e. it may increase the number of Beta-3  Adrenergic Receptors on each Cell).  ^[16]

 Impaired Concentration may occur as a result of insufficient of Triiodothyronine in the Brain.  ^[17]

 Insufficient endogenous production of Triiodothyronine may cause Depression and administration of supplemental, exogenous T3 (20 - 50 micrograms per day) often causes significant improvement in the Depression scores of otherwise difficult-to-treat cases of Depression:  ^[18]

 Triiodothyronine (used in conjunction with Pharmaceutical Antidepressants) may alleviate Major Depression.  ^[19]

 Triiodothyronine (25 - 30 micrograms per day) may alleviate Manic Depression.  ^[20]

 Triiodothyronine may improve Mood & Mood Disorders in Hypothyroidism patients.  ^[21]

Skin

 Triiodothyronine (applied topically) may increase the thickness of the Epidermis.  ^[22]

 Triiodothyronine stimulates the proliferation of Keratinocytes.  ^[23]

 Triiodothyronine (applied topically) may be useful for the treatment of Skin - Thin (due to its ability to increase the thickness of the Epidermis).  ^[24]