Is taking T3 with GH a good idea? You decide.

I found the part in bolds, well, interesting....To sum it up, according to this...GH + T3 = waste of money, and GH without T4 = waste of money.

"We’re effectively shutting down the conversion pathway that is responsible for some of GH’s effects! And what would we be doing if we added in T4 instead of T3? You got it- we’d be enhancing the pathway by allowing the GH we’re using to have more T4 to convert to T3, thus giving us more of an effect from the GH we’re taking. Adding T4 into our GH cycles will actually allow more of the GH to be used effectively!

Remember, the thing that catalyzes the conversion process is the deiodinase enzyme. This is also why using low amounts of T3 would seem (again, anecdotally in bodybuilders) to be able to slightly increase protein synthesis and have an anabolic effect – they aren’t using enough to tell the body to stop or slow down production of the deiodinase enzyme, and hence .Although this analogy isn’t perfect, think of GH as a supercharger you have attached to your car…if you don’t provide enough fuel for it to burn at it’s increased output level, you aren’t going to derive the full effects. Thyroid status also may influence IGF-I expression in tissues other than the liver.So what we have here is a problem. When we take GH, it lowers T3 levels…but we need T3 to keep our GH receptor levels optimally upregulated. In addition, it’s suspected that many of GH’s anabolic effects are engendered as a result of production of IGF-1, so keeping our IGF receptors upregulated by maintaining adequate levels of T3 seems prudent. But as we’ve just seen, supplementing T3 with our GH will abolish Growth Hormone’s functional hepatic nitrogen clearance, possibly through the effect of reducing the bioavailability of insulin-like growth factor-I (12.)

So we want elevated T3 levels when we take GH, or we won’t be getting ANYWHERE NEAR the full anabolic effect of our injectable GH without enough T3. And now we know that not only do we need the additional T3, but we actually want the CONVERSION process of T4 into T3 to take place, because it’s the presence of those mediator enzymes that will allow the T3 to be synergistic with GH, instead of being inhibitory as is seen when T3 is simply added to a GH cycle. And remember, we don’t only want T3 levels high, but we want types 1 and 2 deiodinase to get us there- and when we take supplemental T3, that just doesn’t happen…all that happens is the type 3 deiodinase enzyme shows up and negates the beneficial effects of the T3 when we combine it with GH.

And that’s where myself and Dr. Daemon ended up, after a week of e-mails, researching studies, and gathering clues.

If you’ve been using GH without T4, you’ve been wasting half your money – and if you’ve been using it with T3, you’ve been wasting your time. Start using T4 with your GH, and you’ll finally be getting the full results from your investment."
 
Now, in all fairness (not to tout T4 over T3 as a better alternative) we should evaluate both sides of the thyroid coin.

True or false?

HGH + T4 = good
HGH + T3 = bad

Here is one of several related studies.

T3 negates hgh anabolism
1: J Hepatol. 1996 Mar;24(3):313-9. Related Articles, Links


Effects of long-term growth hormone (GH) and triiodothyronine (T3) administration on functional hepatic nitrogen clearance in normal man.

Wolthers T, Grofte T, Moller N, Vilstrup H, Jorgensen JO.

Department of Medicine M (Endocrinology and Diabetes), Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A decline in urea excretion is seen following long-term growth hormone administration, reflecting overall protein anabolism. Conversely, hyperthyroidism is characterized by increased urea synthesis and negative nitrogen metabolism. These seemingly opposite effects are presumed to reflect different actions on peripheral protein metabolism. The extent to which these hormonal systems have different direct effects on hepatic urea genesis has not been fully characterized. METHODS: We measured urea nitrogen synthesis rates and blood alanine levels concomitantly before, during, and after a 4-h constant intravenous infusion of alanine (2 mmol.kg bw-1.h-1). Urea nitrogen synthesis rate was estimated hourly as urinary excretion corrected for gut hydrolysis and accumulation in body water. The slope of the linear relationship between urea nitrogen synthesis rate and alanine concentration represents the liver function as to conversion of amino-N, and is denoted the functional hepatic nitrogen clearance. Eight normal male subjects (age 21-27 years; body mass index 22.4-27.0 kg/m2) were randomly studied four times: 1) after 10 days of subcutaneous saline injections, 2) after 10 days of subcutaneous growth hormone injections (0.1 IU/kg per day), 3) after 10 days of triiodothyronine administration (40 micrograms on even dates, 20 micrograms on uneven dates) and 4) after 10 days given 2)+3). All injections were given at 20 00 h. RESULTS: Growth hormone decreased functional hepatic nitrogen clearance (l/h) by 30% (from 33.8 +/- 3.2 l/h (control) to 23.8 +/- 1.5 l/h (10 days growth hormone) (mean +/- SE) (ANOVA; p < 0.01)). Triiodothyronine did not change functional hepatic nitrogen clearance (36.7 +/- 3.2 l/h), but triiodothyronine given together with growth hormone abolished the effect of growth hormone functional hepatic nitrogen clearance (38.8 +/- 4.8 l/h). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that long-term growth hormone administration acts on liver by decreasing functional hepatic nitrogen clearance, thereby retaining amino-N in the body. Triiodothyronine has no effect on functional hepatic nitrogen clearance, but given together with growth hormone, it abolishes the effect of growth hormone on functional hepatic nitrogen clearance. A possible mechanism is the known effect of thyroid hormones in reducing the bioavailability of insulin-like growth factor-I. Thus, the effects of growth hormone and triiodothyronine on amino-N homeostasis are interdependent and to some extent exerted via interplay in their regulation of liver function as to amino-N conversion.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 8778198 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE][/QUOTE]
 
Another opposing viewpoint:

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2265.2010.03815.x/full

Increased T4 to T3 conversion
The hypothesis that GH alters the peripheral deiodination of T4 to T3 is supported by the findings from most but not all studies. Several studies showed an increase in T3 and/or a reduction in rT3 after GH therapy2,4-14,24 which parallel the reduction in serum T4 concentration. Jorgensen postulated that this effect may not be mediated directly by GH but by IGF-I, based on the observation that conditions often accompanied by impaired T4 to T3 conversion such as malnutrition and critical illness are associated with high GH and low IGF-I.5 However, Klinger et al.66 noted that individuals with Laron-type GH resistance given exogenous IGF-I demonstrate only transient decreases within the normal range of T4 and TSH and no effect on T3 and Hussain et al.67 demonstrated a much higher increase in serum T3 levels after GH alone than after IGF-I administration in GHD patients suggesting that while both IGF-I and GH stimulate extrathyroidal conversion of T4 to T3, GH has a more direct potent effect on thyroid hormone metabolism.

As the finding of increased T3 is not a consistent effect throughout the literature,1,3,15 altered T4 to T3 conversion may not be the only mechanism involved in thyroid hormone alterations with GH therapy. No ex vivo studies examining the effect of GHD and GH replacement on the 5***8242;deiodinases activities or m-RNA expression are available.

Altered TSH dynamics
It has been postulated that there is an inhibition of TSH secretion through pulse doses of GH1,24 possibly through increased somatostatinergic tone.1,68 While absolute basal TSH levels measured in many studies did not appear to change, others have shown altered TSH dynamics following GH therapy. Jorgensen et al.24 demonstrated a 10-fold decrease in mean 24-hour serum TSH profiles with GH therapy along with a blunted nocturnal surge of TSH. (Fig. 3) In another study, GH replacement was associated with a greater reduction in serum free T4 than the observed small increase in serum T3 concentrations and the reduction in serum free T4 concentration was also more marked in the apparently euthyroid group at baseline who had measurable serum TSH concentration compared to the already treated hypothyroid group which had undetectable TSH at baseline.14 Together these findings suggest a dual role for GH in modulating thyroid hormone concentration through both stimulation of peripheral conversion of T4 to T3 and also a central inhibitory effect on TSH release.

Conclusions and recommendations
GH replacement is a well-established component of the clinical care for hypopituitary patients and, despite its clear benefits,71 it is associated with a reduction in serum free T4, unmasking clinical and biochemical hypothyroidism in a significant number of patients. The high risk group is those who have serum free T4 near the lower end of the normal reference range in the setting of organic pituitary disease and multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies

The target level of free T4 in patients with hypopituitarism will depend on the assay used, the local reference range and importantly on the correlation with clinical status. It has been suggested that physicians should aim for free T4 in the upper half of the normal range; however, recent evidence suggests the mid-normal range may be adequate in GH replaced GHD subjects.46

It is our recommendation that patients starting GH should have their thyroid function monitored closely particularly in the first 6 months to identify those who will develop hypothyroidism. In those who develop hypothyroidism following GH therapy or in patients with preexisting CH, it would be reasonable to target thyroxine therapy to achieve serum free T4 concentration in the middle of the normal reference range.46 In the event of GH withdrawal patients should have thyroid function assessed at 6–12 weeks post withdrawal and treatment adjusted accordingly.
 
A few years old and no replies, figured I bump this one up and see what the board thinks.

I found this on http://www.nahypothyroidism.org/deiodinases/

Growth hormone
Growth hormone deficiency reduces T4 to T3 conversion and increases reverse T3 while supplementation with growth hormone improves T4 to T3 conversion and reduces reverse T3 (194,233,281,282). The age-associated decline in growth hormone certainly contributes to the reduced T3 levels with age not detected by TSH and T4 testing (see thyroid hormones and aging graph).
 
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T4 is useless... T3 is only effective when the priority is to lean out, it's catabolic so expecting muscle gains while on it is not realistic
 
I learned something today. I had no idea HOW T3 was catabolic, and now I do - also explains why we've been told a zillion times too always take T3 with test. Nitrogen clearance in the liver. Good stuff!

While I think most of us have been trained to take certain things together, or not to, it's always neat to gain an understanding why or how. Solid bump. :)
 
man why are some steroid users such fuckin junkies? HGH is the best shit!! unless you are competing whats the point of taking SO MANY different drugs? like t3. just fuckin diet man cause if you're taking a nice dose of quality HGH you shouldn't even need t3 or clen or any of that bullshit.

t3 was one of the things that scared me the most, ive never taken it but what if i somehow fuck up my thyroid and get insanely fat? biggest fear of my life. how do you think most obese people come to be? its not just having a big appetite its usually having a under active thyroid. i'm sure t3 will slowly under activate the tyroid in the long run
 
IMO, there are very few situations where you need to supplement t3/t4 with GH - especially considering GH needs to be used for the long term in order to be effective.

Its well known that during the first few weeks/months of GH use can result in a decrease in thyroid levels.
However, as with most things in the human body, the thyroid gland operates on a tight feedback mechanism so as time goes on and thyroid levels drop - the secretion of TSH is increased in the pituitary in order to bring thyroid levels back up to scratch :)

Its also important to remember that the studies that do recommend supplementation tend to be in short statutre children, the elderly, those with genetic disorders, etc.
These groups are known to be prone to hypothyroidism so the results wont necessarily transfer over to healthy adults.

In short, neither t3/t4 are necessary unless you have sub-optimal levels pre-GH use as detected through bloodwork.
 
man why are some steroid users such fuckin junkies? HGH is the best shit!! unless you are competing whats the point of taking SO MANY different drugs? like t3. just fuckin diet man cause if you're taking a nice dose of quality HGH you shouldn't even need t3 or clen or any of that bullshit.

t3 was one of the things that scared me the most, ive never taken it but what if i somehow fuck up my thyroid and get insanely fat? biggest fear of my life. how do you think most obese people come to be? its not just having a big appetite its usually having a under active thyroid. i'm sure t3 will slowly under activate the tyroid in the long run

There are several studies (and personal experiences) indicating that the thyroid is far less finicky than the pituitary, and recovery is far more likely. I would hesitate before calling anyone on here a junkie - hormones and drugs used in this game are for the betterment of the individual, not to get high. ;)

Great points Ripped. :)
 
There are several studies (and personal experiences) indicating that the thyroid is far less finicky than the pituitary, and recovery is far more likely. I would hesitate before calling anyone on here a junkie - hormones and drugs used in this game are for the betterment of the individual, not to get high. ;)

Great points Ripped. :)
oh come on you're trying to tell me there is no "high" from steroids? the high is the increased sense of well being, improved mood, more aggression, the strength gains, the size gains, the sex drive thats out of this world, the high speed recovery, the veins, etc etc etc. steroids are a drug like any other, and you can most certainly get addicted to them and earn your title as a junkie. with that being said, steroids are to be used as a tool and not a crutch. sounds like OP just wants a way to lose weight faster

and regarding the T3, i dont know, i guess its just a personal thing i'd rather not fuck with my thyroid.
 
oh come on you're trying to tell me there is no "high" from steroids? the high is the increased sense of well being, improved mood, more aggression, the strength gains, the size gains, the sex drive thats out of this world, the high speed recovery, the veins, etc etc etc. steroids are a drug like any other, and you can most certainly get addicted to them and earn your title as a junkie. with that being said, steroids are to be used as a tool and not a crutch. sounds like OP just wants a way to lose weight faster

and regarding the T3, i dont know, i guess its just a personal thing i'd rather not fuck with my thyroid.

You cannot compare the two by any stretch of the imagination. I have known several true junkies in my lifetime; stealing and lying to get that next fix - destroying their bodies in the process.

Taking pride in one's self and their accomplishments is completely different and the only "addiction" that comes from it is wanting to be even better. Show me a junkie that prepares all their meals, watches macro counts/calories, gets up at the ass-crack of dawn to get that 5 miles of cardio in, then hits the weights with the ferocity of a tiger for the sake of simply having pride - and I'll concede.

Heck, I'll go even further. Name one professional sports player that was highly successful, and credited (or became infamous because of) an illicit drug for their success. There is a world of a difference between opiates/narcotics/cannabinoids and AAS/ancillary hormones.

Just to drive my point home to you, let me ask you one very simple question. Can you name one of those drugs that the human body cannot survive without? I can definitely state as a fact that we cannot live long-term without testosterone, but I think you knew where I was headed. ;)
 
Good to see you guys jump on this and share some wisdom thanks!
When you research this subject it turns into a never ending journey. Its hard (at least for me) to find scientific research on whether or not T3 supplementation negates HGH supplementation. Probably cause once again the researchers arent considering BB in there studies.
But the above research thats been cited shows that HGH will increase the conversion rate of T4 to T3 (in patients with hypo thyroid) which is good! I am assuming that for those who have normal thyroids it will do the same and like Zilla just said above the thyroid will augment itself to run back to normal again.

One of the suggestions out there is to actually take T4 because HGH will have a negative effect somehow in that area. So you take it to have normal function again. This doesn't make sense to me for one reason..... Your thyroid will pull what T4 it needs to then convert it to T3. Once it makes the T3 it needs it doesnt matter if you have more T4 to give or not. It simply will not make the conversion.

Another suggestion I read was to supplement with T3 because it will work with your HGH cycle and make it better. I dont think that would be accurate at all.

So this was a help. I wasn't sure if I needed T4 because the HGH im taking is effecting it negatively . The answer is no, I do not need it. And I was n't sure if I wanted to use some T3 to burn fat if I was going to negatively impact my HGH cycle. The answer to that is no it won't hurt it but you don't need to take it cause the HGH and a good diet is all you need.
 
oh come on you're trying to tell me there is no "high" from steroids? the high is the increased sense of well being, improved mood, more aggression, the strength gains, the size gains, the sex drive thats out of this world, the high speed recovery, the veins, etc etc etc. steroids are a drug like any other, and you can most certainly get addicted to them and earn your title as a junkie. with that being said, steroids are to be used as a tool and not a crutch. sounds like OP just wants a way to lose weight faster

and regarding the T3, i dont know, i guess its just a personal thing i'd rather not fuck with my thyroid.

T4 converts to T3. If you take GH and have lower T3 levels you can crash. Trust me I know I ended up in the fkn ER while on geno. Taking T3 by itself is not necessarily the way to go in my opinion. You want a natural conversion. You want T4 because it allows your body to do its T4 to T3 conversion naturally that's the ticket. And taking T3 alone can shut down your thyroid because of the feedback loop being negative. Don't get me wrong not everyone needs to do this while using GH but if your free T3 is on the lower side Id consider it. If you feel light headed and woozy and no energy from gh. Then one could consider taking Armour or getting some t4 somehow. Obviously it would be best NOT to have to mess with thyroid but if your going to splurge for GH id hate to spend all that money on it and have it not work and make things worse for the thyroid. One final note the thyroid is pretty hardy it bounces back especially if your super healthy in what you eat and do High intensity training.
 
T4 converts to T3. If you take GH and have lower T3 levels you can crash. Trust me I know I ended up in the fkn ER while on geno. Taking T3 by itself is not necessarily the way to go in my opinion. You want a natural conversion. You want T4 because it allows your body to do its T4 to T3 conversion naturally that's the ticket. And taking T3 alone can shut down your thyroid because of the feedback loop being negative. Don't get me wrong not everyone needs to do this while using GH but if your free T3 is on the lower side Id consider it. If you feel light headed and woozy and no energy from gh. Then one could consider taking Armour or getting some t4 somehow. Obviously it would be best NOT to have to mess with thyroid but if your going to splurge for GH id hate to spend all that money on it and have it not work and make things worse for the thyroid. One final note the thyroid is pretty hardy it bounces back especially if your super healthy in what you eat and do High intensity training.

I cant find anything online about HGH making people feel lighthead or woozy. And nothing about HGH even having that effect when using it regularly. Why does HGH cause this prob with some people and what does it have to do with low T3??
 
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