Low Thyroid - Five Keys to Getting the Results You Are Looking For

Do you have (or suspect that you have) low thyroid function?

Are you tired of feeling sluggish and foggy only to be told that your thyroid tests “look normal”?

You are not alone!

Thyroid health is one of the most common reasons why patients seek my care - and for good reason! Optimal thyroid function is an essential component of your health and well-being, as thyroid hormones play a major role in regulating many bodily functions, including

• Metabolism

• Weight

• Energy

• Mood

• Temperature control

• Bowel function

• Cognitive function

• Heart health

• Skin integrity

• Muscle development

• Gingival health

Many conventional practitioners take a “one-size-fits-all” approach to low thyroid hormone, also called hypothyroidism. They rely on one laboratory value and prescribe one type of thyroid hormone for all patients because that is how we are taught to approach hypothyroidism in medical school. While some patients are fine with this approach, others are not and find themselves continuing to experience symptoms without an adequate diagnosis or treatment plan.

If you have (or suspect that you have) low thyroid function, a practitioner skilled and experienced in a more comprehensive approach to hypothyroidism may help you to better understand why your thyroid hormones are low, and partner with you to create a customized treatment plan to restore energy, vitality, and well-being.

LOW THYROID - FIVE KEYS TO GETTING THE RESULTS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR

#1 - GET THE RIGHT TESTING AT THE RIGHT TIME

I can’t tell you how many patients I have encountered who have been told that their thyroid function is “normal“ based upon just one laboratory value - the TSH.

TSH=ThyroidStimulatingHormone

TSH is made by your brain, not by your thyroid. Your brain makes TSH when it senses that your body needs more thyroid hormone. The TSH made by the brain sends a signal to the thyroid to make more thyroid hormone.
Patients are often confused when interpreting their TSH number because it is an “opposite” test. A high TSH value indicates low thyroid hormone in the body.

When thyroid hormone levels in your body are low, the brain makes more TSH to "turn on" your thyroid.

Getting a more accurate picture of your current thyroid health involves testing beyond the TSH and including:

• thyroid hormone levels - Free T3, Free T4, and Reverse T3

• Anti-thyroid antibodies

The time at which a hormone is tested will impact results. Thyroid hormones measured first thing in the morning will look different than those measured in the late afternoon. You should also have clear instructions on if and when to take your medication in relation to your thyroid test. I generally hold thyroid medication for first-morning testing, and sometimes I have my patients take their morning medication and then test mid-afternoon for a different picture.

#2 - RECOGNIZE THE MANY FACTORS THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THYROID HEALTH

If your thyroid function is not optimal, ask the question WHY? Do you have an auto-immune condition affecting your thyroid? Are there “missing ingredients” that your thyroid needs to properly function, or something interfering with your thyroid gland? There are many factors that contribute to thyroid health, including:

• Nutrient deficiencies (such as iron, iodine, zinc, and selenium)

• Physical and emotional stress

• Exposure to toxins (such as fluoride, pesticides, mercury)

• Food sensitivities

• Underlying infections and inflammation

• Physical trauma

• Certain medications or other medical conditions (such as celiac disease)

#3 - AIM FOR OPTIMAL HORMONE LEVELS, NOT “NORMAL RANGE” 

While “normal ranges” are provided for each laboratory test, these ranges can vary widely. To feel and look your best, the goal should be optimal hormone levels! Thyroid hormone testing is perhaps the best example of this. I can’t tell you how many patients I have met with who had been told their thyroid levels were “normal“ despite ongoing symptoms. After shifting the focus to target optimal levels, these patients are able to experience improved energy, vitality, and well-being.

#4 - GET THE PRESCRIPTION THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU

If prescription thyroid hormone therapy is needed, there are many options available. This allows treatment plans to be individualized for each patient. In addition to the industry-standard synthetic T4 hormone (Synthroid/levothyroxine), there are various forms of natural porcine thyroid available containing both T4 and T3 hormones. Experienced practitioners can prescribe precise combinations of T4 and T3 prepared by compounding pharmacies, in both immediate and sustained-release forms.

#5 - PARTNER WITH YOUR PRACTITIONER IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

To optimize thyroid function, the relationship between a patient and a practitioner needs to be viewed and treated as a partnership. Optimal thyroid function is a little different for each person, and patients should feel comfortable asking questions and expressing any symptoms or concerns. When prescribing thyroid hormone, I encourage patients to listen to their body for signs and symptoms that give us insight into thyroid health, such as body temperature, mood and energy, heart palpitations, and more.