Thyroid Disease Hypothyroidism Levothyroxine vs. Combination T4/T3 Therapy for Hypothyroidism By Mary Shomon Mary Shomon Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Mary Shomon is a writer and hormonal health and thyroid advocate. She is the author of "The Thyroid Diet Revolution." Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 17, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Ana Maria Kausel, MD Medically reviewed by Ana Maria Kausel, MD Facebook Twitter Ana Maria Kausel, MD, is a double board-certified endocrinologist affiliated with Mount Sinai St. Luke's/Mount Sinai West in New York City. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Standard of Care (T4) Adding Liothyronine (T3) Combination T4/T3 Choosing the Right Treatment Frequently Asked Questions Treating your underactive thyroid gland with thyroid hormone replacement medication is essential for your body to function. While treatment with synthetic thyroxine (T4), called levothyroxine, is the standard of care for hypothyroidism, for certain patients, combining T4 with triiodothyronine (T3)—another thyroid hormone—may be a reasonable approach. This, however, is not without debate within the medical community. dardespot / Getty Images The Standard of Care (T4) The guidelines-approved treatment for hypothyroidism is thyroid hormone replacement with a once-daily dose of synthetic thyroxine (T4), also referred to as L-thyroxine or L-T4. Besides a generic form, levothyroxine is also available in the United States under the brand names Synthroid, Levoxyl, Tirosint, and Unithroid. If too much levothyroxine is given (called T4 over-replacement), hyperthyroidism may develop. Keep in mind, though, that this side effect is rare. If it does occur, it can usually be easily fixed with a dose adjustment. Is There a Best Time to Take Your Levothyroxine? Adding Liothyronine (T3) Some healthcare providers recommend taking T3 (triiodothyronine) in addition to T4 for the treatment of hypothyroidism (that is, two separate pills). Liothyronine, known by the brand name Cytomel and Triostat, is the synthetic form of T3. The problem with T3 is that it has a very short lifespan, so it needs to be taken several times a day. Due to these required multiple daily doses, T3 levels fluctuate in the body; when T3 levels are high, symptoms of hyperthyroidism often occur. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include a fast heart rate, insomnia, and anxiety. A type of heart arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation and bone loss (osteoporosis) may also occur. Combination T4/T3 Options Besides taking separate pills for T4 and T3 replacement, there are combination T4/T3 preparations that are taken only once a day. Two such preparations available in the United States are: Natural desiccated thyroid (NDT)Thyrolar (Liotrix) Many experts, however, do not see these options as being the same as taking T4 and T3 independently. Natural Desiccated Thyroid Natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) hormone is a drug derived mainly from the dried glands of pigs. It's also called natural thyroid, thyroid extract, porcine thyroid, pig thyroid, and known by the brand names Armour Thyroid and Nature-throid. NDT contains both T4 and T3; however, the ratio of T4:T3 in NDT is not the same as the ratio of thyroid hormone in humans. Moreover, the amounts of T4 and T3 can vary from batch to batch of NDT—and this can affect the stability of thyroid hormone levels in your body. Desiccated Thyroid Extract Drugs: Alternatives to Synthroid Thyrolar (Liotrix) Thyrolar (Liotrix) is another combination T4/T3 preparation. Thyrolar contains much more T3 than what is normally made within the body, which is what allows it to be effective despite only being taken once a day. However, this high dose of T3 can cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism. What's Right for You? The vast majority of endocrinologists advise levothyroxine over combination T4/T3 for the treatment of hypothyroidism, and the primary reason is to avoid the hyperthyroid effect. When taking T3, it's simply impossible to avoid "T3 spikes," which can lead to unpleasant hyperthyroid symptoms, like anxiety or a rapid heart rate. This all said, if you have persistent hypothyroid symptoms on levothyroxine, your healthcare provider may recommend a three-to-six-month combination T4/T3 trial. Research suggests that a subgroup of hypothyroid patients on levothyroxine continue to have symptoms (fatigue, difficulty losing weight, etc.) despite normalization of their TSH and thyroid hormone levels. Of course, prior to prescribing combination T4/T3, your healthcare provider will want to ensure your symptoms are not due to another medical condition that mimics hypothyroidism, such as depression, anemia, or fibromyalgia. Moreover, if you are pregnant and hypothyroid, levothyroxine (not combination T4/T3 therapy) is the advised treatment, regardless if you have persistent symptoms. Excess T3 in a pregnant woman may cause hypothyroxinemia in the developing fetus, which is associated with potential neurological problems. How Do Thyroid Problems Affect Fertility and Pregnancy? A Word From Verywell The big picture for you or a loved one is to understand that, as of now, the standard treatment for hypothyroidism is a T4 drug alone. Though the addition of T3 continues to be a topic of ongoing research and debate within the thyroid community, for certain patients, it may be a sensible strategy. Right now, the best thing you can do for your thyroid care is to carefully talk through your options with your healthcare provider. Remember, as well, that optimizing your thyroid hormone levels can be a trial and error process—especially in the beginning. Try to remain patient as your treatment plan is honed. Frequently Asked Questions Is levothyroxine T3 or T4? Levothyroxine is T4. It is the typical treatment for hypothyroidism. What is Liotrix? Liotrix is a combination T4/T3 drug that is used to treat hypothyroidism. Because of its high amount of T3, it may cause hyperthyroidism symptoms such as fast heart rate, insomnia, and anxiety. 6 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Thyroid Association. Hypothyroidism FAQS. American Thyroid Association. Thyroid hormone treatment. Allergan. Thyrolar® tablets (Liotrix tablets, USP). Dayan C, Panicker V. Management of hypothyroidism with combination thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) hormone replacement in clinical practice: a review of suggested guidance. Thyroid Res. 2018;11:1. doi:10.1186/s13044-018-0045-x American Thyroid Association. Hypothyroidism in pregnancy. MedlinePlus. Liotrix. Additional Reading American Thyroid Association. (2018). Thyroid Hormone Treatment. McAninch EA, Bianco AC. The history and future of treatment of hypothyroidism. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2016;164(1):50-56. doi:10.7326/M15-1799 Ross DS. (2017). Treatment of primary hypothyroidism in adults. In: UpToDate, Cooper, DS (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA. Schmidt U, Nygaard B, Jensen EQ, Kvetny J, Jarlov A, Faber J. Peripheral markers of thyroid function: the effect of T4 monotherapy vs T4/T3 combination therapy in hypothyroid subjects in a randomized crossover study. Endocr Connect. 2013;2(1):55-60. doi:10.1530/EC-12-0064 Editorial Process Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit