Thyroid Hormone 101

The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland that sits at the base of the neck just above your collarbone. It is an endocrine gland, which means that it makes and secretes hormones as a way of communicating with other organs and cells in the body.

Thyroid hormones are the “master regulator” of metabolic function in the body. Think of them like a thermostat, setting the temperature of all the processes your body - like how fast your heart beats or how quickly you burn calories.

When thyroid hormones are high, everything ramps up.

When thyroid hormones are low, everything slows down.

Thyroid deficiency (hypothyroidism) is much more common than excess (hyperthyroidism).

Some of the signs of thyroid excess are:

• rapid weight loss

• fast heart rate

• increased appetite

• swollen neck

• heart palpitations

• anxiety

• bulging eyes

• heat intolerance

• irregular menses

• diarrhea

• thinning hair/ hair loss

Signs of thyroid deficiency are:

• fatigue

• weight gain

• hair loss

• cold intolerance

• muscle cramps

• sensation of lump in the throat

• shortness of breath

• poor appetite

• low stamina

• constipation

• high cholesterol and blood sugar

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune form of hypothyroidism - which just means that the body’s immune system attacks a piece of the thyroid hormone or the thyroid gland itself.

Doctors commonly test TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) to screen for a thyroid disorder, but that isn’t always enough from a functional medicine perspective.

TSH is only one part of the thyroid picture. TSH is how the brain, specifically the pituitary gland, speaks to the thyroid gland and tells it how much thyroid hormone to produce. We call this the HPT axis - hypothalamic (brain), pituitary (brain), thyroid axis.

Think of this relationship as a mother asking her child to clean their room. The amount of TSH being produced indicate how actively the child is cleaning their room, and how loudly mom is yelling at her child to do what she’s asked.

Low TSH means the brain barely has to ask the thyroid to produce hormone.

High TSH means the brain is “yelling” at the thyroid, asking it to make more hormone.

To obtain a more complete picture of how the thyroid and brain are functioning, these lab markers should also be run:

• Free T3/ free T4

• Total T3/ total T4

• Thyroglobulin antibodies

• Thyroperoxidase antibodies

• Reverse T3

Despite being so common, most thyroid disorders are very treatable and many people go on to live normal lives.

Our doctors at EmpowerMed Clinic look for the root cause of thyroid disorders and help to rebalance your body at a foundational level.

Every thyroid patient is carefully evaluated with comprehensive bloodwork and functional lab work looking for sources of inflammation and imbalance within the body that can lead to thyroid dysfunction.

If you are ready to get to the root cause of your thyroid concerns, reach out to the EmpowerMed team of naturopathic doctors today. We take a collaborative approach to natural medicine, partnering with patients to help them achieve their unique health and wellness goals.

Contact us today at 760-456-7501 or use our booking link to schedule.

EmpowerMed Clinic is located just off the I-15 and Carroll Canyon within the Fitness Quest 10 Wellness Center of Scripps Ranch, San Diego County, CA. We serve the communities of North County San Diego, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch, Mira Mesa, Ramona, Scripps Ranch, Santee, and more.

Written by Dr. Carleigh Golightly