COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 162
● Free T3 (FT3)
Less commonly measured; reflects the active hormone
In the Rockwell approach, we recognize these tests as valuable
but insufficient for comprehensive thyroid assessment. Standard
reference ranges typically only identify overt thyroid dysfunction,
missing many cases of subclinical imbalance that may still
produce significant symptoms [9].
Expanded Assessment: Beyond the Basics
The Rockwell methodology incorporates additional measures to
provide a more complete picture of thyroid health:
Reverse T3 (rT3)
While conventional medicine rarely uses rT3 testing, the Rockwell
approach recognizes its value in specific clinical scenarios.
Elevated rT3 may indicate:
● Cellular energetic dysfunction
● Chronic stress or inflammation
● Specific nutrient deficiencies (selenium, zinc)
● Impaired liver or kidney function
● Certain medication effects
The ratio of T3 to rT3 provides insight into the efficiency of thyroid
hormone metabolism and cellular utilization [10].
Thyroid Antibodies
Autoimmune processes underlie many cases of thyroid
dysfunction, often years before abnormalities appear in standard
thyroid function tests. The Rockwell approach recommends
evaluating:
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