T4 Hormone & Weightlifting
Body builders often turn to supplements to lose fat, build lean muscle mass and reduce recovery time after intense workouts. Because anabolic steroids are frequently banned in competitions, weightlifters turn to more natural supplements to produce results. The thyroid hormone T4 helps control the rate of metabolism, which is one reason athletes sometimes choose T4 to help give them a competitive edge.
Identification
T4 is also known as L-Thyroxine T4 and is available in several prescription formulations. It’s one of two primary hormones your thyroid produces, the other being triiodothyronine, or T3, although T4 makes up 90 percent of thyroid hormone. Every cell in your body depends upon thyroid hormones to regulate their metabolic function. If the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient T4, then you may develop symptoms of hypothyroidism; too much T4 leads to hyperthyroidism, according to the American Thyroid Association 2.
- T4 is also known as L-Thyroxine T4 and is available in several prescription formulations.
- If the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient T4, then you may develop symptoms of hypothyroidism; too much T4 leads to hyperthyroidism, according to the American Thyroid Association 2.
The Effects of Weightlifting on T4
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Research in Finland on elite weightlifters over a period of a year studied the response of the pituitary-thyroid system before, during and after strength training. The results, published in the “Journal of Sports Science” in 1993, showed that periods of decreased training leads to a mild decrease in serum T4 concentrations 4. **Another study, published in 1995 in the “European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology,” found that T4 levels in weightlifters were lower at night than in a control group, which the researchers concluded may have implications for muscle building 5. It’s also been shown that male bodybuilders taking androgenic-anabolic steroids developed mild thyroid impairment.
Why Bodybuilders Use T4
Thyroid medication is frequently used by bodybuilders getting ready for a competition to lose excess fat by speeding up their basal metabolic rate and help them get “cut,” or produce maximum muscle definition. Although the thyroid hormone T3 is more popular for this purpose, T4 may lead to increased muscle retention and improve the effects of growth hormone in weightlifters who are also taking growth hormone. Having excess thyroid hormones in your body can help produce more short-term weight loss than by dieting alone, but once the thyroid supplements are stopped, the excess weight loss is usually regained, reports the American Thyroid Association 2.
Considerations
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If you decide to add T4 to your weightlifting supplements, check with a health care provider first. For maximum effectiveness, T4 shouldn’t be taken within two hours of calcium or iron, which can reduce its absorption. Long-term use of thyroid hormones can suppress your body’s natural production.
Related Articles
References
- Lab Tests Online: T4; March 2011
- American Thyroid Association: Thyroid and Weight
- MesoRX; L-Thyroxine T4 (Synthroid); Anthony Roberts
- “Journal of Sports Sciences”; Effects Of Prolonged Training On Serum Thyrotropin And Thyroid Hormones In Elite Strength Athletes; M. Alén, et al.; December 1993
- “European Journal Of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology”; Nocturnal Hormonal Responses To Resistance Exercise; R.G. McMurray, et al.; 1995.
- American Thyroid Association. General Information/Press Room.
- Pirahanchi Y, Jialal I. Physiology, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Updated April 25, 2019.
- AACC. Hashimoto Thyroiditis. Lab Tests Online. Updated October 18, 2019.
- DeGroot LJ. Graves’ Disease and the Manifestations of Thyrotoxicosis. [Updated 2015 Jul 11]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2015.
- Nguyen QT, Lee EJ, Huang MG, Park YI, Khullar A, Plodkowski RA. Diagnosis and treatment of patients with thyroid cancer. Am Health Drug Benefits. 2015;8(1):30-40.
- Bindra A, Braunstein GD. Thyroiditis. Am Fam Physician. 2006;73(10):1769-76.
- Medeiros-Neto G. Multinodular Goiter. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-. Updated September 26, 2016.
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid). Published August 2016.
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid). Published August 2016.
- Brent GA. Environmental exposures and autoimmune thyroid disease. Thyroid. 2010;20(7):755-61. doi:10.1089/thy.2010.1636
- Mcaninch EA, Bianco AC. The history and future of treatment of hypothyroidism. Ann Intern Med. 2016;164(1):50-6. doi:10.7326/M15-1799
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Grave’s Disease. Published September 2017.
- Stagnaro-Green, A., Abalovich, M, Alexander, E. et. al. Guidelines of the American thyroid association for the diagnosis and management of thyroid disease during pregnancy and postpartum. Thyroid. 2011(21)10. doi:10.1089/thy.2011.0087
- Liu G, Liang L, Bray GA, et al. Thyroid hormones and changes in body weight and metabolic parameters in response to weight loss diets: the POUNDS LOST trial. Int J Obes (Lond). 2017;41(6):878-886. doi:10.1038/ijo.2017.28
- Bahn R, Burch H, Cooper D, et al. Hyperthyroidism and other causes of thyrotoxicosis: Management guidelines of the American Thyroid Association and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Endocrine Practice. 2011;17(3). doi:10.1089/thy.2010.0417
- Braverman L, Cooper D. Werner & Ingbar's The Thyroid, 10th Edition. WLL/Wolters Kluwer; 2012.
- Garber J, Cobin R, Gharib H, et. al. Clinical practice guidelines for hypothyroidism in adults: Cosponsored by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Thyroid Association. Endocrine Practice. 2012;18(6). doi:10.1089/thy.2012.0205
- Haugen A, Alexander K., Bible K, et. al. 2015 American Thyroid Association Management guidelines for adult patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. Thyroid. 2016;26(1):1-133. doi:10.1089/thy.2015.0020
- Smallridge R, Ain K, Asa S, et. al. American Thyroid Association guidelines for management of patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer. Thyroid. 2012;22(11). doi:10.1089/thy.2012.0302
- Wells, S, Asa S, Dralle H, et. al. Revised American Thyroid Association guidelines for the management of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Thyroid. 2015;25(6). doi:10.1089/thy.2014.0335
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Writer Bio
Bonnie Singleton has been writing professionally since 1996. She has written for various newspapers and magazines including "The Washington Times" and "Woman's World." She also wrote for the BBC-TV news magazine "From Washington" and worked for Discovery Channel online for more than a decade. Singleton holds a master's degree in musicology from Florida State University and is a member of the American Independent Writers.