Thyroid Problems?
I remember when my good friend sighed to me, “Thank God! I finally have a thyroid disorder.” I laughed because I knew she was hoping to lose some weight as she started her new medication but the sentiment behind this, finding a reason for why you are feeling so badly, is well appreciated. In fact, 1 out of every 5 women has a thyroid disorder. Some women will develop thyroid issues during a transitional period: pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause. Others have a strong genetic component and note many family members who have been treated. Other thyroid issues can be brought on by emotional and physical stress, poor diet, or even toxic exposures.
What’s all the fuss about the thyroid? I recall being told in NP school, that the thyroid was the grandmaster of all hormonal functions in the body, an endocrine system VIP. I don’t think this is overstated. If one’s thyroid hormones are off, sex hormones will not be optimal either. There are a multitude of symptoms related to an overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism) thyroid. You could experience weight gain or loss, decreased libido, hair loss, sensitivity to heat or cold, issues with digestion, constipation, mood disorders, bone loss, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, brain fog. Every day I see patients in my practice who are experiencing these symptoms. Thyroid disorders need to be at the top of the differential diagnosis list when performing a full assessment. This means blood-work. Making sure your provider is getting the full panel of blood-work is essential.
Here are my favorite thyroid tests & what I think of as essential. These tests can all be done at a traditional or a functional medicine practice like Tendwell.
TSH— or thyroid stimulating hormone. In a traditional practice, this is the one that is commonly done. I think this should be done yearly at the least as a part of your annual check-in.
Total T3: The total T3 test measures bound T3 and free T3 combined. T3 is important because it is the active form of the thyroid hormone.
Free T3: The free T3 test measures the active form of T3 that is not bound to protein.
Free T4: T4, also called thyroxine, is the main form of thyroid hormone made by the thyroid gland. Most T4 is bound to proteins, while a small proportion is unbound, or free. Free T4 testing measures T4 that circulates through the blood and is available to enter body tissues and act upon them.
Thyroid antibody testing—TPO antibodies or Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb): Thyroid peroxidase is an enzyme that is crucial to the production of thyroid hormones. TPOAb may interfere with the action of this enzyme. Almost all patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis have high levels of TPOAb. Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb): Thyroglobulin is a protein made by the thyroid gland. TgAb may be present when the thyroid has been damaged.
Reverse T3: Your body can start showing symptoms of hypothyroidism when not enough T3 is binding to your cells.
If your clinician is not willing to talk thyroid or explore testing other than TSH, don’t give up!! There are other providers out here who understand & will not take a one-size-fits-all approach. To find out about becoming a Tendwell member, click here.
