More difficult to build muscle with optimal thyroid?

Gianluca

Well-Known Member
Optimal FT3 should be anywhere around 3.7 to 4.2 or so. Has anyone noticed more difficultly to build or hold muscle at this level range?

Should perhaps an ectomorph interested in muscle building think twice on optimizing FT3 at these levels?
 
Myopathy in Hypothyroidism
  • Weakness in muscles close to the center of the body (thighs, shoulders)
  • Cramping
  • Elevated creatinine
  • Rarely, enlarged muscles (Hoffman's syndrome)
  • Rarely, breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis)
Myopathy in Hyperthyroidism
  • Muscle weakness
  • Creatinine levels tend to be normal
  • Cramping (uncommon)
  • Rarely, issues with the muscles involved in swallowing and breathing (rare)

 
While the link below describes in great detail why high thyroid hormone levels may make building muscle more difficult, there are lots of other reasons why you would not want low levels (low energy, etc) and there are other ways to counteract this issue such as eating more, so lowering thyroid for this one reason doesn't seem like a great idea unless you can do so with no other adverse affects.

 
While the link below describes in great detail why high thyroid hormone levels may make building muscle more difficult, there are lots of other reasons why you would not want low levels (low energy, etc) and there are other ways to counteract this issue such as eating more, so lowering thyroid for this one reason doesn't seem like a great idea unless you can do so with no other adverse affects.

Good article, the studies linked to it describe people who are hyper, and it makes sense being hyperthyroidism could cause muscle breakdown. I don't think in the study it was reported what level of FT3 cause the muscle break down
 
I can assure you that having sub optimal levels will most surely interfere with muscle building. You’re probably seeing posts about how t3 is catabolic etc. Those guys take huge amounts to burn fat. Being within normal range will have zero negative impact on muscle building and only positive.
 
I can assure you that having sub optimal levels will most surely interfere with muscle building. You’re probably seeing posts about how t3 is catabolic etc. Those guys take huge amounts to burn fat. Being within normal range will have zero negative impact on muscle building and only positive.
I wanted to see what everyone experience was in regards to building muscle and optimizing thyroid, perhaps hearing some anecdotes from ectomorphs like me.

I personally was on small dose NP thyroid, FT3 ranging from 4.0 to 3.7, I stopped it two months ago, and at this point FT3 should be at 3.0. Small difference but I can tell I hold more weight, 5lb more possibly in water an fat, but muscle look fuller for sure, perhaps the effect of water
 

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Lakshman KM, Kaplan B, Travison TG, Basaria S, Knapp PE, Singh AB, LaValley MP, Mazer NA, Bhasin S. The effects of injected testosterone dose and age on the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone in young and older men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Aug;95(8):3955-64.

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