How to Test For T2 Thyroid Hormone (Every Thyroid Patient Should Do This)

·11 min·1 clip

Dr. Westin Childs reveals there's no commercial T2 test, but you can estimate your levels using five proxy measurements.

The episode begins by stating that T2 thyroid hormone is gaining attention but lacks a commercially available test, forcing patients to rely on educated guesses. Dr. Childs introduces proxy measurements as a workaround, drawing parallels to how T4 and T3 are evaluated. He explains that resting heart rate is the first proxy, as T2 impacts heart receptors, and a rate below 60 bpm may indicate deficiency, especially if T3 levels are normal. Metabolism is the second proxy, with low T2 potentially causing weight issues despite healthy habits, though T3 also plays a role. Cholesterol is the third proxy, where high LDL and triglycerides unresponsive to other thyroid meds suggest T2 could help. Free T3 and T4 levels are the fourth proxy, as T2 is metabolized from T3, but this relationship is complex and not fully understood. Thyroid symptoms are the fifth proxy, where persistent issues like fatigue on levothyroxine indicate a need for multiple hormone replacements. Dr. Childs notes that T2 research is ongoing, with studies exploring its role in obesity and fatty liver treatment. He shares his experience monitoring over 10,000 supplement users to validate these proxies. The episode concludes by predicting T2 testing will become standard in lab panels within 5-10 years, but recommends starting supplementation now rather than waiting.

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