Thyroid Testing

The Thyroid is a gland which regulates how your body uses energy. When the Thyroid is sluggish and underactive, it is called ‘hypothyroidism’. Hypothyroidism is the most common Thyroid disorder. Hypothyroidism causes a variety of symptoms that range in severity:
-Fatigue; Many people report feeling tired even when they have gotten a good night’s sleep.
-Hair loss
-Weight gain; Even with improved diet and exercise
-Low body temperature; Cold extremities like hands and feet
-Dry skin
-High Cholesterol
-“Brain fogginess”
-Muscle pain and longer recovery time
-Constipation
-Irritable bowel
-Swelling in the ankles or facial puffiness
-Increased risk of coronary diseases


Frequently, an underactive Thyroid is caused by nutritional deficiencies, and once these deficiencies have been addressed the problem often resolves itself.

Because hormones in our body all work together during homeostasis, a Thyroid hormone imbalance can cause other hormones to run off track. Some hormones affected by Thyroid hormone levels include:
Estrogen- The Thyroid may not be able to produce hormones properly if your estrogen levels are high.
Progesterone- Because it has a stimulating effect on the Thyroid, a drop in levels of progesterone throughout menopause or perimenopause can lower Thyroid hormone levels.
Testosterone- Testosterone also stimulates the Thyroid, so reduced thyroid function can occur during andropause (male menopause)

In order to determine Thyroid function, routine blood testing is necessary. Comprehensive Thyroid testing typically includes: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPO), T3 uptake, and T4 total.

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