Ever wonder why you suffer from hormonal imbalances or any or many of the following? While many of us may chalk it up to old age or individual issues, there may be one root cause of these seemingly unrelated conditions. The often overlooked thyroid is frequently the culprit behind so many of our most annoying and even debilitating ailments.
| Hard-to release weight | Hair loss | Low energy |
| Chronic fatigue | Brittle nails | Sensitivity to cold |
| Depression | Anxiety | Mood swings |
| Low libido | Dry skin | High Cholesterol |
| Difficulty concentrating | Memory Issues | Constipation |
| Aching joints | Menstrual irregularities | Infertility |
In fact, it is often undetected due to many health practitioners only looking at one thyroid marker which is the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). The problem is that this “standard test” only reflects brain levels, not tissues and organs that may be starving for thyroid hormone. In fact, by the time the TSH shows out of range levels, many patients have been enduring many of the above symptoms for quite some time.
Other tests that are crucial in reflecting true thyroid disorders are the Free T4 (thyroxine) and Free T3 (triiodothyyronine) and Reverse T3.
T4 is the thyroid storage gland that regulates cellular metabolism or your body’s energy. However, it must convert to T3, the active thyroid gland which regulates body temperature, digestive metabolism and helps burn body fat. Then there’s the gatekeeper, rT3, which allows or disallows T3 to be used by the cells.
It may sound complicated but think of your T4 as gas in your car. However, it has to get to the engine to be utilized to make the car run. Think of the gas in your engine as your T3. It all can only work if the key is turned on in the ignition (Reverse T3) signaling all parts to work in harmony. Each part must work in order for the car to run efficiently-same as your body. Therefore, if you only look at the TSH, you’re missing other parts that must work together.
In addition, other critical thyroid markers such as TPO (thyroid peroxidase) and TgAB (thyroglobulin antibody) or ATA (anti thyroid antibody) may determine if there is an autoimmune response toward the thyroid. These are important to check as they may be out of range and indicate autoimmune despite the above markers being at normal ranges.
Mostly, though, these lab tests may help with confirmation but should be guided by symptoms. I experienced this myself years ago when I went to my General Practitioner complaining of fatigue, very low energy, always feeling cold and hair loss. At that point, I knew these were probable symptoms of hypothyroid and asked to have the appropriate blood work.
I’ll never forget that visit. My GP came into my exam room and with a big smile on his face, he said, “Great news! You’re fine. Your TSH is normal.”
I looked at him and responded, “But I don’t feel normal. Something is not right.”
To that, my (now former) doctor shrugged his shoulders and then gave the same response when I asked him what I should do. He suggested that I check out an endocrinologist but that I was fine.
Now I know better and am familiar with the proper tests to get, but mostly that symptoms do matter. Don’t go through the same frustration as me. You are much more than numbers on a piece of paper. My doctor made me feel foolish and that perhaps I was imagining things or even depressed when I knew I was none of those.
Moreover, be sure to see a qualified practitioner who actually knows how to identify a poorly performing thyroid. Once again, had I done the proper labs, I would have been able to confirm that I had hypothyroid and get treatment much earlier.
If you are accurately diagnosed with any type of thyroid disorder or dysfunction, you will be most likely prescribed a synthetic drug called Synthroid or levothyroxine. Beware of these as they only target the T4 receptor site. In addition to this synthetic drug having many side effects, it doesn’t address the T3, the active thyroid (the gas in the engine). In fact, a study published in Endocrinology in 1996 supported the theory that T4 alone was not enough to fully restore thyroid function for those suffering from hypothyroidism.
A more complete recommendation may be to request a natural thyroid hormone (Naturethroid), Armour thyroid or dessicated thyroid as well as other natural supplements.
Natural solutions may include supplementation of iodine, Vitamins A and D, Iron, Selenium and Zinc.
And of course, close to my heart and what I always preach, is that food plays a huge role in optimal thyroid function. Reducing/removing processed foods, sugar, gluten and caffeine reduce stress to the thyroid and can help heal it.
Finally, if you find it challenging to find a health practitioner that takes a more holistic approach, check out the following websites:
www.naturopathic.org
www.abihm.org
www.functionalmedicine.org
www.thyroidchange.org
To summarize, below is the list of proper thyroid tests to ask your doctor. Some of these tests may not be covered by insurance but may be well worth it to confirm if your thyroid is working (or not) properly:
Free T3 (make sure it is FREE as T3 only test is not as accurate with protein attached to it)
Free T4
Reverse T3
TgAB
TPO or ATA
And if you would like to check out the foods I eat to keep my thyroid happy, please feel free to get my free shopping list here.
Free Shopping List
Xo,
Jill
