Thyroid dysfunction affects 1 in 7 people, most of whom are women. Development of a thyroid disorder can occur at many different moments in life but people often become aware of a thyroid issue when they are planning a pregnancy, actively pregnant, or experiencing a hormonal transition in perimenopause or menopause. Despite the prevalence of thyroid disorders, many primary care providers do not routinely screen for them. At Tendwell, we take a different more nuanced approach to thyroid assessment and treatment. In this functional medicine blog, I will discuss some of these approaches.

The thyroid gland plays a major role in the regulation of many body processes, especially those related to metabolic function. Maintaining optimal function of the thyroid and balanced levels of its main hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), is vital for overall health. Thyroid dysfunction is quite common and may result from conditions such as thyroiditis and hypothyroidism.

Many of the patients seen in our functional medicine practice here at Tendwell, have concerns about their thyroid. An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease though up to 60 percent are unaware of their condition. Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems. One woman in eight will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime. There are several factors that contribute to this gender disparity including the presence of estrogen and progesterone, which have been shown to influence thyroid function. Fluctuations in hormone levels during different phases of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can also affect thyroid hormone production and metabolism. These hormonal changes can increase the susceptibility to thyroid disorders.

Reverse T3 (rT3) is a form of thyroid hormone produced by the body, but unlike T3, it is considered inactive and doesn't play a significant role in regulating metabolism. At Tendwell, we consider the measurement of reverse T3 levels to be an important aspect of comprehensive thyroid testing, which is, in turn, an important component in many holistic health plans. In some cases, an elevated rT3 level can be an indication of a problem with the conversion of the inactive form of thyroid hormone (T4) to the active form (T3). This is important because T3 is the hormone that has the most metabolic activity and is responsible for regulating many body functions such as heart rate, body temperature, and energy levels.

Unlike a traditional physical exam, an annual physical from the functional medicine perspective includes a personalized whole-person assessment, rather than just a one size fits all approach. Functional medicine looks to find the root cause of imbalances or dysfunctions within core body systems and is less concerned about determining a diagnosis for which to prescribe medication. Functional assessments guide the evaluation process, and we work with each patient to address these imbalances naturally.

So, you or your loved one has just been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s or an Autoimmune Thyroid Disorder causing hypothyroidism. Will adopting a gluten-free lifestyle be worth it? Why might it help?

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.