The thyroid doesn’t get much credit when it comes to health, but the thyroid is actually a power house that has a direct impact to your heart, brain, muscles, gut and bones. I think of it as that “man behind the curtain” (Wizard of Oz reference!). For a small, butterfly-shaped gland measuring two inches wide, it does a LOT for you, but even in modern day we don’t properly diagnose thyroid issues and more research and better testing needs to be done.
The thyroid is an endocrine gland located at front of your neck. It makes and secretes hormones that directly control and impact many of your body’s important functions including metabolism, heart rate, breathing, digestion, body temperature, brain development, mental activity, skin, bones and fertility. The thyroid releases the following hormones:
- T4: an inactive hormone your thyroid makes and releases; it has no effect on your metabolism until it enters your bloodstream and and is converted to T3
- T3: and active hormone produced that has an impact on your cells
- RT3: minimal amounts of this hormone is made by the thyroid, but is used to reverse the effects of T3
- Calcitonin: regulates the calcium levels in your blood
Iodine is needed by the thyroid to function. Foods rich in iodine include seaweed, fish, shellfish, iodized table salt, dairy, eggs, beef liver, and chicken. Sadly, a third of the world’s population is deficient in iodine. Without the needed amount of iodine, they thyroid won’t function as normal.
The American Thyroid Association states “more than 12% of the US population will develop a thyroid issue in their lives and and an estimated 20 million Americans have some sort of form of thyroid disease.”
The two main types of thyroid diseases are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroism:
Hypothyroidism: thyroid produces too little hormone. Also referred as an underactive thyroid. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, constipation, dry skin, muscle aches, hair loss, memory issues, coarse hair or skin, puffy face and heavier menstrual cycles
Hyperthyroidism: thyroid produces too much hormone. Also referred as an overactive thyroid. Symptoms include weight loss, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, insomnia, nervousness, heat sensitivity, muscle weakness and frequent bowl movements
The most common test done to determine if you have either disorder is a blood test measuring your T4, T3, TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), and thyroid antibodies. If a doctor needs further testing they may request an ultrasound, thyroid scan or an iodine uptake test.
You may be experiencing symptoms of either thyroid disorder but the blood tests you took come back revealing nothing is wrong with your thyroid. That may cause some confusion or frustration as your symptoms indeed mirror a thyroid disorder.
Are the tests we do really comprehensive?
Here are the normal ranges labs use to determine a thyroid’s function:
Let’s break down these levels:
Low T3: means your thyroid is not producing enough hormone
High T3: means your thyroid is producing too much hormone
Low T4: means your thyroid is not producing enough hormone
High T4: means your thyroid is producing too much hormone
Low TSH: means your thyroid is producing too much hormone
High TSH: means your thyroid is not producing enough hormone
Notice how the low and high TSH definitions are the complete opposite meaning of the low and high T3 and T4 definitions.
But what happens, for example, if your TSH comes back as “0.5”? When the TSH is low that means your thyroid is producing too much hormone. It is still within the so-called “normal range” according to the chart above, but the number is still extremely low and borderlines hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
What happens if your TSH is “4.45”? Again, it is still in the “normal range” but is still highly elevated and borderlines hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
Instead of just looking at the black and white range used to diagnose thyroid levels, should doctors take a step back and see the big picture? Wouldn’t extremely low or high numbers (while still considered to be in the so-called normal range) still be a cause for concern? Especially if someone is experiencing the symptoms of a thyroid issue?
Dr. Mary James of the Women’s Health Network discusses “subclinical hypothyroidism” which is abnormally low thyroid function due to the TSH being slightly high, but blood levels are normal on blood lab results:
“Most labs consider TSH above 4.5 or 5 mIU/L as abnormal and indicative of hypothyroidism. Because the normal TSH cutoff used to be around 10, many conventional doctors still don’t consider a TSH between 5 and 10 to be significant and they may not treat it.
But I’ve found good evidence for paying attention to TSH levels above 2.5. Thyroid lab reference ranges were established by averaging numbers from many people. I think it’s interesting that when data from those participants with anti-thyroid antibodies are excluded from that calculation, the cutoff for “normal” TSH drops to 2.5 — a good argument for paying attention to TSH numbers above this level!
In general, doctors are more likely to consider prescribing thyroid medication if you have thyroid symptoms and abnormal lab results, especially if anti-thyroid antibodies are found. But, even if just one of these three factors is an issue for you (symptoms, TSH levels above 2.5 or elevated anti-thyroid antibodies), it may be time to support your thyroid with natural measures.”
The same could be said with TSH levels being on the lower side; that would be called “subclinical hyperthyroidism“.
The Women’s Health Network also encourages you to ask your doctor for additional tests on top of a TSH test so that you can perhaps have a more accurate result:
- Estrogen test
- Progesterone test
- Testosterone test
- DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)test
- FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) test
- LH (Luteinizing Hormone) test
After being diagnosed with the tick infections, my TSH levels have always been very low; borderline hyperthyroidism (overactive). However, I have never been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder because my numbers were still within the normal range of the test. Here are my numbers over the years:
June 2018:
September 2018:
April 2019:
February 2021:
June 2022:
A low, especially extremely low, TSH should be investigated, but I’m still considered to be “fine” by doctors. But am I? More tests would need to be done to determine if I indeed have a thyroid issue, specifically an overactive thyroid.
If a doctor does indeed diagnose you with a thyroid disorder, you will most likely be prescribed a drug:
Hyperthyroidism (overactive): thionamides are the commonly prescribed drug to treat an overactive thyroid; some examples include carbimazole and propylthiouracil. Be aware that side effects from these drugs include fever, arthritis, gastro issues, rash, itchy skin, hives, and stiffness in joints.
Hypothyroidism (underactive): levothyroxine, a hormone replacement, is usually prescribed for an underactive thyroid. Be award that side effects from this hormone include weight loss, headache, sweating, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, hair loss, diarrhea, vomiting, insomnia and tremors.
As I have stated many times before, using what God gave us on this great Earth is the best option and His prescriptions don’t have side effects. Here are some natural things you can do stabilize your thyroid:
- take vitamins like A, B2, B3, B6, C, D, and E
- take zinc, copper, selenium, tyrosine, and iodine
- take fish oil
- take Ashwagandha
- eliminate gluten from your diet
- get 7-8 hours of sleep every night
- exercise
- eat a Mediterranean diet
Also an excellent supplement that supports your thyroid is T Balance Plus. It contains iodine, selenium, bacopa extract, hops, sage, Ashwagandha, and Coleus Forskohlii (a part of the mint family).
I encourage anyone who is exhibiting any thyroid issue side effects to do some research and talk to your doctor about testing. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you have to ask them repeatedly. The key to a good life is good health and only YOU have the power to give your life the best health ever.
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