Thyroid
Reverse T3
Unit: ng/dLID: T004
What This Test Measures
Inactive thyroid metabolite; brake on metabolism
Conventional vs. Functional Optimal Range
Conventional "Normal"
8-25 ng/dLYour doctor says you're "fine" anywhere in this range
Functional Optimal
10.6-15.6 ng/dLThis is where you actually feel great
The gap between these ranges is why you feel terrible with "normal" labs. Conventional medicine waits for disease. Functional medicine optimizes for health.
Gabriel's Take
Reverse T3 is your metabolic brake. It rises with stress, inflammation, dieting, illness and surgery, often as the body's way of saving energy, so a high value is a reason to look at those causes and to read it with Free T3. Evidence for a tight target is thin; Gabriel's optimal band is 10.6-15.6 ng/dL.
When This Test Is High
Chronic stress, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, metabolic slowdown
When This Test Is Low
Rare; usually not clinically significant
Related Conditions
Fatigue despite normal TSH/T4, weight loss resistance
Recommended Follow-Up
Calculate Free T3/Reverse T3 ratio; address stress, inflammation, gut health