Thyroid Health

• Hypothyroidism (low functioning thyroid)
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)

• Grave’s disease (overactive thyroid with elevated antibodies)
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (low functioning thyroid with elevated antibodies)
• Postpartum thyroiditis
• Thyroid Cancer
• Thyroid Nodules

Depending on the type of thyroid disease, the symptoms will vary. These are some examples of symptoms patients may experience, and it is important to note that symptoms will vary by patient and their specific symptoms:

• sudden weight gain or weight loss or difficulty losing weight
• low energy/exhaustion
• dry skin, hair and nails
• hair loss
• sleep changes – difficulty falling or staying asleep
• cold body temperature regardless of ambient temperature
• physical changes in face/neck – such as a protrusion on the neck/thyroid, sagging eyes and puffy eyes, loss of hair in the outer third of their eye brow
• heart palpitations
• changes in blood cholesterol without any change in diet nor having a family history
• mood changes/feeling low
• digestive changes – upset stomach, acid reflux, bloating, constipation, gas, diarrhea, etc.
• perspiration changes – not sweating or sweating a lot more then usual

The tests that are done to identify thyroid disease are blood tests. Your Naturopathic Doctor (ND) or Medical Doctor (MD) can recommend the tests to be done.  However, it is also key to understand that not everyone treats thyroid conditions in the same way, and that there are optimal values within what is considered ‘normal range’ for thyroid blood tests.  Seeing someone who is knowledgeable in treating thyroid health patients is key to understanding the thyroid and how to treat it.

Blood tests would include, but are not limited to:

• TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone),
• free T3, free T4, FreeT3/freeT4 (calculated)
• reverse T3, freeT3/reverse T3 (calculated)
• thyroid antibodies – which include anti-TPO & anti-thyroglobulin,
• ferritin, CBC
• Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D

NDT is as treatment option for patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism.  It is an extract from a porcine or bovine source, which contains both active and inactive thyroid hormone (versus Synthyroid or Levothyroxine which is synthetic T4 only and is the first line conventional treatment by most Medical Doctors).

NDT is available only by prescription by Naturopathic Doctors who have prescribing authority or your Medical Doctor.  It is a prescription you would receive at your compounding pharmacy.

Using NDT can be more effective at providing the active thyroid hormone, helping to alleviate symptoms faster and more effectively.

Not all of the additional tests below would need to be done, but these are examples of other tests that may need to be options,  but it is specific to the patient. They may include:

• Iodine, Selenium, Bromine & Cadmium Urine test
• Inflammation Panel; hsCRP, ESR
• IgG Food sensitivity testing
• Leaky Gut or Celiac testing (if antibodies are elevated)
• SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) testing such as breath test or stool test
• heavy metal testing
• additional hormone testing: progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, cortisol, DHEA, SHBG

First, the testing that I would recommend is much more comprehensive and often different then what a MD may recommend. In Naturopathic Medicine, the goal is to treat the root underlying cause of the condition as well as treating the thyroid itself. I would assess thyroid function, but I would also want to identify if there are nutrient deficiencies, digestive or other immune factors (especially in Hashimoto’s), adrenal or stress/cortisol component that will directly affect thyroid function, etc.  However, it is important to understand that integrative health is the best for the patient, and I truly believe that working with your Medical Doctor brings my patients the best outcomes.
The treatment is whole-body focused and individualized, and may include things such as:

• natural thyroid hormone replacement, also known as “natural desiccated thyroid” or NDT – in cases of hypothyroidism,
• dietary recommendations,
• IV nutrient or oral nutrient supplementation,
• digestive and gut support especially in cases of leaky gut or gluten sensitivity or celiac disease,
• stress and lifestyle recommendations to balance hormones
• addressing heavy metal toxicity

Many of my patients will seek me out because they are already diagnosed as having hypothyroidism and are already on thyroid medication such as Levothyroxine or Synthroid.  However, they may be on a dose and their blood levels seem normal but when examined more closely, are not optimal.  Some patients are exhausted and have no energy and still have many of the thyroid symptoms even thought they are on Levothyroxine or Synthroid. We work together to address their concerns beyond just thyroid – gut health, adrenal health, sex hormone balance – all affect thyroid function including nutritional deficiencies.

Every patient is unique so should their treatment. But a typical appointment would include us discussing all health concerns including thyroid, followup blood tests and then discussion of possible treatment options.  If you are interested in meeting me and discussing your thyroid concerns, please book a free 15 minute.