Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders have long since been approached in an clinically inaccurate and ultimately limited fashion. Traditionally, the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) alone, has been used as the definitive test of thyroid function. When clinically appropriate, the TSH is helpful in managing autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimotos Thyroiditis and Graves Disease, but often, if the TSH is found to be “normal” the investigation ends there no matter how symptomatic you may be, no matter how badly you may feel. If you are in fact found to have an "elevated" TSH (A number not generally agreed upon, and one which fluctuates widely), a reflex free thyroxine (T4) will be measured. If the T4 is found to be low, a synthetic T4 medication is tried, often Synthroid. Biologically, T4 is less active than triiodothyronine (T3) by 75%, and often does not convert to the more active T3 form. Also, what is "normal?" T3 and T4 ranges are generally not agreed upon, lending to further interpretation and inaccuracy. Many practitioners rely upon the lab to provide this information, which differs from lab to lab; this means you may or may not be diagnosed with low or high thyroid solely based upon the lab your doctor uses. For some, this approach proves to be effective, for many, it does not.
Using this schema, more than 60% of low functioning thyroid conditions go undiagnosed!
Signs and symptoms of low thyroid include, fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, hair loss, constipation, low mood, blood sugar mismanagement, “running” cold, and many more. We believe that signs and symptoms of disease are just as important as lab numbers, especially when using TSH alone to assess thyroid function. Having "normal" numbers with low thyroid signs and symptoms is now known as, Euthyroid Sick Syndrome, and is often missed by doctors. Also, every hormone, including thyroid, is highly bound to plasma proteins. In fact, thyroid is 99.5% bound to (Thyroid Binding Globulin) TBG, more so in pregnancy and if using contraceptive pills. Often a total T4 (mainly bound) is used verses free T4 to assess thyroid function and to measure treatment efficacy. You can see, there are many ways in which a low thyroid condition can be missed and therefore mistreated.
Thyroid has been found to influence nearly every structure in the body to greater or lessor extents. Further, studies have found that Estrogen metabolism and Serotonin production are negatively influenced without proper thyroid concentrations. Proper, means using BOTH T3 and T4 thyroid hormones to treat all symptoms of low thyroid production.
How are we different?
1. Use TSH only when clinically relevant, NOT as general screening
2. Test for free T4 AND free T3, not bound hormone
3. Treat low thyroid with BOTH T4 and T3 replacement
4. Use consistent, optimized ranges
5. Treat the Patient for symptom resolution, NOT purely the numbers
Using this schema, more than 60% of low functioning thyroid conditions go undiagnosed!
Signs and symptoms of low thyroid include, fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, hair loss, constipation, low mood, blood sugar mismanagement, “running” cold, and many more. We believe that signs and symptoms of disease are just as important as lab numbers, especially when using TSH alone to assess thyroid function. Having "normal" numbers with low thyroid signs and symptoms is now known as, Euthyroid Sick Syndrome, and is often missed by doctors. Also, every hormone, including thyroid, is highly bound to plasma proteins. In fact, thyroid is 99.5% bound to (Thyroid Binding Globulin) TBG, more so in pregnancy and if using contraceptive pills. Often a total T4 (mainly bound) is used verses free T4 to assess thyroid function and to measure treatment efficacy. You can see, there are many ways in which a low thyroid condition can be missed and therefore mistreated.
Thyroid has been found to influence nearly every structure in the body to greater or lessor extents. Further, studies have found that Estrogen metabolism and Serotonin production are negatively influenced without proper thyroid concentrations. Proper, means using BOTH T3 and T4 thyroid hormones to treat all symptoms of low thyroid production.
How are we different?
1. Use TSH only when clinically relevant, NOT as general screening
2. Test for free T4 AND free T3, not bound hormone
3. Treat low thyroid with BOTH T4 and T3 replacement
4. Use consistent, optimized ranges
5. Treat the Patient for symptom resolution, NOT purely the numbers
