ml . As I mentioned above , new guidelines suggest anything over 3 is abnormal . While an improvement , practitioners following these guidelines may still miss many people who have normal test results and a malfunctioning thyroid system . To get a complete picture , I recommend looking at a wider range of functions : Thyroid-stimulating hormone ( TSH ), the ideal range is between 1 and 2 m IU / ml Free T4 and free T3 ( the inactive and the active hormone ) Thyroid antibodies ( TPO ), looking for an autoimmune reaction that commonly goes undiagnosed if the other tests are normal , as doctors don ’ t routinely check this : Thyroid-releasing hormone ( TRH ) stimulation test A 24-hour urine test for free T3 , which can be helpful in hard-to-diagnose cases but not always needed .
A physician experienced in ordering these tests and interpreting the results can provide a more comprehensive picture of how your thyroid is functioning . If you think you have an undiagnosed thyroid problem , insist that your doctor perform these tests or find a doctor who will . They are essential to fill in the pieces of the puzzle standard tests don ’ t provide .
Strategy 6 : Choose the Right Thyroid Hormone Replacement
Ultimately , to properly balance a thyroid that is severely out of balance , you will need to go on some type of thyroid hormone replacement therapy . Altering your diet and your lifestyle will certainly help tremendously , but if your thyroid isn ’ t functioning properly , you may need to take some additional thyroid hormones to supplement its output . Knowing what ’ s available and what to ask about can empower you to make better decisions about your health .
When most physicians went to medical school and did their residency , they learned about only one treatment for low thyroid function : Synthroid ®, a synthetic form of T4 that wasn ’ t FDA-approved until recently . Why do doctors prescribe it ? Because that is all they learn to prescribe . But that doesn ’ t make it the best treatment for everyone . Some people benefit from Synthroid , but in some cases the symptoms don ’ t seem to go away using only T4 , even if their tests return to normal . So what is the right treatment ?
The answer is , “ It depends .” Part of the beauty ( and the headache ) of Functional Medicine is that no one treatment works for everyone . A combination of experience , testing , and trial and error becomes necessary to get any treatment just right . At the same time , we ’ ve discovered the majority of our patients benefit from a combination hormone treatment including both T4 and T3 . Synthroid is just T4 , the inactive hormone and most doctors assume that the body will convert it to T3 and all will be well .
Unfortunately , pesticides , stress , mercury , infections , allergies , and selenium deficiencies can block that process . Since 100 percent of us have pesticides stored in our bodies , we will all likely have some problem with Synthroid .
The most common treatment we use is a combination of T3 ( liothyronine ) and T4 ( levothyroxine ), ( 9 ) a prescription drug made from desiccated ( dried ) porcine thyroid or pure powders . This contains the full spectrum of thyroid hormones , including T4 , and T3 . The correct dose will vary from one person to another
Many doctors still hold the outdated belief that the porcine thyroid preparation is unstable and the dosage difficult to monitor . That was true with the old preparation of Armour , not the new one . ( See www . armourthyroid . com for more information .) Sometimes the only way to find out if you have a thyroid problem is a short trial of something like Armour thyroid for three months . If you feel better , your symptoms disappear , and you lose weight , it ’ s the right choice . You may be one that needs a different ratio of T3 to T4 than the porcine . This needs to be adjusted for each person .
Sometimes , once all the factors that disturbed your thyroid function have been corrected , you may be able to reduce or discontinue the dose . As with any treatment , always work with a physician experienced in using medications to treat your thyroid .
Careful monitoring is essential . Taking too much thyroid hormone or taking it if you don ’ t need it can lead to undesirable side effects , including anxiety , insomnia , palpitations , and , over the long term , bone loss .
Conclusion
Over my several decades working as a Functional Medicine pharmacist , I can assure you that even in the toughest cases , you can heal your thyroid . With some patients , we can do this through the dietary , nutrient , and lifestyle factors I ’ ve discussed here . For others , that healing requires trial and error using several medications and working closely with a physician .
The bottom line is that you should never lose hope . Taking a proactive approach and working with a trained practitioner can correct many thyroid issues .
If you feel that you need help to stabilize your thyroid , please , call or email us for an appointment .
Donna S . Barsky , Pharm . D . ( Doctor of Pharmacy ) / Owner of Texas Star Pharmacy . Donna is an active member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine , a Certified Diabetic Counselor , a Pharmaceutical Preceptor ( trains pharmacists ), a functional medicine expert and compounding “ guru .”
DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JULY / AUGUST 2017
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