Blood Tests For Thyroid Health
A well-functioning thyroid gland is essential to optimal health and wellness. The thyroid gland acts as a regulator and facilitator by producing and releasing hormones that help control metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, bone health and more. Approximately 12% of Americans suffer from a form of thyroid disease, and the prevalence of thyroid cancer among women is on the rise.
Common thyroid issues
Common thyroid issues are Hashimoto’s disease (a slow, underproducing thyroid – hypothyroidism), Grave’s disease (an overactive thyroid- hyperthyroidism), thyroid nodules, thyroid goiters. Nodules and goiters form from chronic inflammation in the gland producing cysts that enlarge and can severely slow down the thyroid’s function and ability to produce hormone.
Comprehensive testing is recommended to determine the full extent of the thyroid’s functionality or lack thereof. Often, patients presenting to their medical providers will have testing done on the thyroid, but the testing is usually incomplete. A thyroid cannot be assessed by TSH alone. All markers must be checked to determine the health of that thyroid. Along with TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone- produced in the pituitary of the brain), you must check T4 levels- free/total, T3 levels- free/total, Reverse T3 (inactive form for T4-can block conversion of hormone), TBG (thyroid binding globulin) and thyroid antibody levels – specifically Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin antibodies.
Interference of the Thyroid’s Production
Multiple factors can cause interference of the thyroid’s production, conversion and uptake of thyroid hormone. An underlying inflammatory process in the body can trigger the immune system and create an autoimmune response, causing the thyroid to slow down or vamp up. Underlying viral exposure can also cause a similar reaction in the body, triggering the immune system and perpetuating an autoimmune response that targets the thyroid. Due to the thyroid’s metabolic function, it can be irresistible to a virus. An underlying viral infection, known or unknown, can ambush the thyroid, causing the thyroid to produce antibodies to protect itself. High levels of these thyroid antibodies can be a sign of Hashimoto’s. If these blood markers are not tested, a dysfunctional thyroid can go undetected, yet the ramifications of that dysfunction can be felt throughout the body. How? Hormonal imbalances like estrogen regulation, body temperature regulation, weight gain or weight loss, heart palpitations and eye conditions, just to name a few, can all be caused by thyroid disease.
Improving Thyroid Health
Conventional medicine teaches us that a dysfunctional thyroid can only be helped with medication to speed up or slow down the thyroid. Fortunately, that is not the case. There are options to help support thyroid health in a natural way through proper diet, immune support, and reducing the inflammatory triggers in the body that create chaos for the thyroid. Natural approaches, such as diet, supplements, and herbs are not substitutions for medication. They are supportive of the body, helping the body to heal and repair. We have had many patients that we support nutritionally that have been very successful at reducing their need for thyroid medication, with the oversight of their MD. There is hope for thyroid disease. When you give the body the support it needs and recognize areas where the body is struggling nutritionally, you can start on the road to healing, restoration and wellness!
