Adverse side effects of any thyroid hormone replacement therapy can include rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, tremors, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, weight loss, hair loss, seizures, stomach cramping and diarrhea, or changes in menstrual periods. Like exercise which is healthy but can trigger a heart attack or death in someone with underlying heart disease, thyroid replacement is also usually heart healthy but can trigger a heart attack or abnormal heart rhythm (and even cause death or heart muscle damage). If you have a history of heart palpitations or have ever been diagnosed with a heart/cardiac condition, notify your anti-aging specialist before beginning or increasing the dose of any thyroid replacement therapy, and stop taking your thyroid replacement if any symptoms occur and call your provider.

Studies show that thyroid hormone replacement is not likely to cause osteoporosis when appropriately monitored, but if the thyroid dose is too high for an extended period of time, it could worsen bone loss/osteoporosis. Serum testing can be done to monitor the amount of bone breakdown as well as undergoing periodic DEXA scans to monitor bone mineral density if deemed clinically necessary.

Optimal thyroid levels during pregnancy are essential. Although there is no conclusive data showing that straight T3 is harmful during pregnancy, there is also little data on the safety of straight T3 during pregnancy. Notify your anti-aging specialist if you are pregnant, suspect that you have become pregnant, or if you are planning to become pregnant during this therapy.

If you are currently taking any thyroid hormone prescribed by another physician, discuss this medication with your provider prior to initiating any additional thyroid replacement.