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Thyroid is the hormone of metabolism. In fact, it is the Master hormone and thus helps regulate all other hormones in our bodies. Nearly 20 million people are impacted in the U.S. alone, with an estimated 40% of the world's population—some 2.8 thousand million people— at risk of iodine deficiency, which is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. Up to 60% of people are unaware (or undiagnosed!) with a thyroid condition.
Thyroid hormones are the only cells that can absorb iodine and the amino acid L-tyrosine, which in combination ultimately create T4 and T3. Over 65% of the weight of T4 is iodine and is carried as iodide molecules which are transformed in small intestine. Through TPO and thyroglobin (Tg) activity, iodine molecules are reduced and T3 is created. In 99% of the cases of thyroid imbalance, hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) is the issue. The research is now clear that untreated hypothyroidism can lead to cardiac disease, neurologic and/or musculoskeletal problems.
Some of the symptoms of thyroid imbalance include trouble sleeping, fatigue, brain fog, dry hair/nails/skin, scalp and brow hair loss, depression, cold hands/feet or sensitivity to cold, frequent heavy menstrual cycles, joint and muscle pain, weight gain and infertility.
Conventional medicine uses the TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone originating from the pituitary) and Free T4. In the Functional Medicine world, we often see people who have not been helped by these tests. Indeed, many of our patients have presented to providers for many, many years with no resolution of their symptoms. Often this comes with a sense of being unheard and let down by their care providers. There are multiple studies now attesting to the issue of inappropriate diagnosis of hypothyroidism. One study from 2008 showed that higher TSH levels were associated with higher cardiac mortality in women, even when these levels were considered “within the normal” range.
At Optimal Hormones Medical, our routine thyroid testing includes TSH, Free and Total T4, Free and Total T3, and if concerned about Hashimoto’s (autoimmune thyroiditis) we will get a complete antibody count and Reverse T3 as well. This frequently shows a very different picture as these additional lab studies are frequently quite low …. And unfortunately were missed in a conventional setting.
Treatment consists of desiccated porcine thyroid replacement (T3 and T4), or synthetic levothyroxine and/or liothyronine (T4, T3 separately). We also use supplements that include the critical iodine (which many of us no longer get consistently in our diet), as well as selenium, L-tyrosine, zinc and vitamin E. If in doubt we encourage you to find a supplement that has these ingredients and see if you note any improvement. If these supplements have been insufficient, don’t hesitate to call our staff for a consultation at 602-695-0050 or send us an inquiry on our website at www.optimalhormones.com
Karen Lottis, PhD, FNP-BC
References:
Auer R, Rodondi N. Arch Intern Med.2008 Dec 8; 168(22): 2498-9. Thyrotropin levels and coronary heart disease mortality
Chiovato L, Magri F, Carle A. Adv Ther 2019; 36 (Suppl 2): 47-58. Hypothyroidism in Context: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going.
Published online 2019 Sep 4. doi: 10.1007/s12325-019-01080-8
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