Be The Voice For Your Thyroid
I see an increasing number of people with symptoms that they think are just part of getting old. But those nagging symptoms may be their body’s cry for support, no matter what their age.
When I was in school for integrative nutrition, I began to realize my body was sending me signals. I was cold no matter what the season, my hair was thinning as were the outer third of my eyebrows. And then there was the brain fog, low blood pressure, stubborn weight gain, dry skin, and history of PMS.
Do I Have A Thyroid Problem?
One area that is often overlooked is the small butterfly-shaped thyroid in your throat. This little gland is your body’s regulator. When it isn’t working well, many functions in your body can seem sluggish.
I suspected my thyroid and took the normal approach – making an appointment to see my doctor for lab work and physical. With those completed, my doctor’s conclusion was “you’re fine.” But I walked out of the office reviewing my symptoms, which had not been acknowledged and thinking there’s more to learn.
You see, the only thyroid-focused marker that had been run was Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. TSH is not actually a thyroid hormone but is released by the pituitary to signal the thyroid to release T4. It is not a reliable measure of thyroid hormone in your body.
Thyroid Tests
I often see client labs with only one or two thyroid markers that have been deemed “all good.” Yet the client has numerous symptoms and often feels hopeless.
There are so many points in your body where thyroid function can be thwarted. For over a decade Functional Medicine circles have recommended that a full thyroid panel be drawn to evaluate thyroid function. This would include TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, and both thyroid antibodies.
Low functioning thyroid affects every cell in the body, similar to trying to run a sports car on regular gas. I mentioned several symptoms that I experienced, and there can also be weight gain, fatigue or low energy, poor GI motility or constipation, and infertility.
Doctors may offer thyroid medication which could help some symptoms but won’t get to the root cause. Normal thyroid meds did not benefit me because my issue was with low conversion to T3. I have found this to be the case with many of my clients as well.
What Causes Thyroid Problems
Stress is a common factor in our lives and can contribute to low thyroid function. This is where the Reverse T3 marker can put a spotlight on your body’s perception of its stress level. In stressful conditions, the body prioritizes cortisol metabolism and the thyroid takes a back seat.
Liver health can also affect the thyroid since the conversion of T4 to T3 is best in a healthy liver. Interestingly, elevated cholesterol can be associated with an underactive thyroid, especially if it is only LDL that is elevated.
Take a moment and think about your recent experience. Have you noticed some of the symptoms I have mentioned at play in your body? I encourage you to be the voice for your thyroid and request a full thyroid panel. If your doctor is not willing to order the full panel, I can help you.
