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Beyond the Thyroid – Episode 45: When T3 Doesn’t Work — Why Thyroid Medication Can Make You Feel Worse (Part 1)

In this episode of Beyond the Thyroid, Dr. Dana Gibbs tackles a frustrating and surprisingly common problem: why T3-containing thyroid medications don’t always help—and can sometimes make patients feel worse.

Drawing from years of clinical experience and personal insight, Dr. Gibbs explains that when T3 “fails,” the problem is often not the medication itself, but the physiology surrounding it. She walks through the most common reasons T3 is poorly tolerated, including stimulant sensitivity, blood sugar instability, cortisol dysregulation, circadian rhythm disruption, and nutrient deficiencies.

Dr. Gibbs shares the real-life case of a patient named Barbara, illustrating how strategic changes to medication timing, lifestyle factors, and metabolic support led to dramatic improvement after years of struggle. She also provides practical guidance for patients and clinicians on how to safely optimize T3 therapy.

This is Part 1 of a deeper series on T3 therapy and thyroid optimization.

Tune in to understand why T3 doesn’t always work—and what to fix before giving up on it.

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Episode Highlights
00:34 – Why T3 Medications Often Fail
01:04 – Dr. Gibbs’ Personal Journey
02:27 – Common Problems with T3 Therapy
04:30 – Case Study: Barbara’s Experience
08:12 – Factors That Affect T3 Tolerance
08:45 – Stimulants and T3 Sensitivity
10:56 – Blood Sugar and Thyroid Hormones
12:20 – Circadian Rhythm & Sleep Issues
14:23 – Cortisol and Stress Effects
16:09 – Nutrient Deficiencies That Block Progress
19:34 – Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Understanding T3 is about timing, metabolism, and context—not just dosage.

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✉️ Email Dr. Gibbs at [email protected] or visit https://www.danagibbsmd.com/ for more information.


Thank you so much for listening! Tune in on the next episode.


The medical information provided in this episode is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical questions or concerns.