Still Have Thyroid Symptoms Despite Normal Labs?
Have you been told “your thyroid tests came back normal” but you’re still experiencing symptoms related to thyroid dysfunction, such as fatigue, sensitivity to cold, dry skin, hair loss, weight gain, memory problems and more? You are not hallucinating! Your body is telling you that something is wrong! Listen to it! Read below to understand why you shouldn’t be satisfied with normal.
More than TSH
The first marker that conventional doctors look at when it comes to thyroid is TSH. TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is produced by the pituitary gland in response to low thyroid hormone levels.
Although TSH is the first marker that needs to be looked into, it is not the only one. If your TSH is coming in at the clinically normal range, but you’ve got symptoms, it’s worth looking deeper.
In functional medicine, thyroid levels are viewed in a broader context that includes a range of different markers and factors when evaluating thyroid function. In order to get a more complete picture of thyroid function, TSH levels need to be evaluated along with other thyroid markers:
- Free T4 (thyroxine): The main hormone produced by the thyroid gland.
- Free T3 (triiodothyronine): The active form used by cells in the body.
- Reverse T3 (rT3): An inactive form that may increase during stress or illness.
- Thyroid antibodies: Anti-TPO and anti-TG help detect autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s.
Normal Ranges?
When it comes to assessing your results, you should assess it based on “Functional” ranges and not “Clinical ranges.” Clinical ranges are very broad and determined by averaging sick people’s scores!
Clinical range: Based on populations with diagnosed conditions.
Functional range: Narrower and based on levels considered optimal for health.
For example, clinical range of TSH is 0.5 to 5.0 mIU/L, while functional range is 0.5 to 2.5 mIU/L.
More Than Treating the Symptoms
While taking steps to treat thyroid symptoms (such as thyroid medications) is essential and important, you should also address the underlying cause.
A holistic approach to thyroid balance includes evaluating:
- Nutrient intake: Iodine, selenium, zinc, vitamin D, and iron.
- Gut health: 20% of thyroid hormone conversion occurs in the gut.
- Stress: Chronic stress disrupts thyroid function via cortisol/HPA axis.
- Toxins: Environmental toxins interfere with thyroid function. Assess and detox.
Your Next Step
If your thyroid tests came back normal but you’re still experiencing symptoms, there’s a lot you can do. Start by:
- Asking for a complete thyroid panel.
- Evaluating your results with functional ranges.
- Identifying root causes through functional diagnostic lab tests.
- Implementing a personalized protocol including nutrition, sleep, movement, and supplementation.
Are you ready to end your cycle of trial and error? Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today!