Total T3

T3 is a thyroid hormone released in small amounts from the thyroid gland, but is primarily produced by other tissues from T4. This conversion process requires sufficient energy intake (especially carbohydrate), vitamin D, zinc and selenium, and is impaired by stress. T3 is the thyroid hormone primarily responsible for raising the metabolic rate. T3 is often carried in the bloodstream via binding proteins. The Total T3 metric is a measurement of the protein bound T3. High levels can indicate excessive supplementation, or hyperthyroidism. Low levels are suggestive of functional hypothyroidism. 

The thyroid hormones govern metabolism, or the body’s energy production. Poor thyroid function be caused by and can contribute to stress. Stress inhibits thyroid hormone production and utilization, and the stress systems tend to take over to compensate for low thyroid function. Thyroid function is vital for maintaining gut health, too. Thyroid hormones govern the growth and proliferation of the cells in the gut, and promote gut motility, support the immune system, and enhance digestive enzyme and stomach acid secretion. Low thyroid function is common in aging and several chronic and age related diseases, as energy metabolism is what fundamentally maintains the structure and function of every cell, tissue and organ system in the body.