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Free T3 Conversion

Meaning

Free T3 conversion refers to the physiological process where the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) is metabolically transformed into its biologically active counterpart, triiodothyronine (T3), specifically the unbound or “free” fraction. T4 is the main hormone secreted by the thyroid gland, but T3 is the most potent thyroid hormone, responsible for regulating metabolism, body temperature, and energy levels in nearly all tissues. This conversion process is essential for the hormone to exert its clinical effects at the cellular level. Assessing free T3 levels and the efficiency of this conversion is a critical component of comprehensive thyroid health evaluation.