Skip to content
The Prescription Strength Podcast

Underactive Thyroid. What your GP didn't have time to explain

June 23 · 11 min · 10.9 MB
0:00-11:23

Streams straight from the publisher. podnod never proxies or re-hosts episode audio.

Have you been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and found yourself confused by conflicting advice online?

Perhaps you’ve heard that T3 is the “active” thyroid hormone, wondered why you’re prescribed thyroxine (levothyroxine), or been tempted by thyroid supplements, private testing, or claims that conventional treatment is missing something.

In this episode, I cover how thyroid hormones work, why thyroxine remains the standard treatment for hypothyroidism, why T3 isn’t routinely measured, and where much of the confusion around thyroid health comes from.

Topics covered include:

  • The difference between T4 and T3
  • Why levothyroxine is usually prescribed
  • Why T3 isn’t routinely tested
  • How thyroid blood tests are interpreted
  • Thyroid supplements, selenium and zinc
  • Why some people still feel unwell despite treatment
  • The role of fatigue, sleep, menopause and other health conditions
  • How to approach thyroid information online with a critical eye

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting messages about thyroid health, this episode will help you understand the basics and make sense of the conversation.

As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as personal medical advice. If you have concerns about your own health or treatment, please speak to your healthcare professional.