Thyroid Dysfunction

Reasons why you are still having thyroid symptoms...

Are you taking thyroid medication and wondering why you are still having symptoms?  Has your doctor repeatedly changed your medication, you get better, but then your symptoms return? Here are just a few reasons (of many!) of why you may still be suffering...

1. Serotonin and dopamine deficiency may be causing your brain to produce a less than ideal output of TSH to stimulate your thyroid.  Symptoms of serotonin deficiency include loss of pleasure in hobbies and interests, feelings of depression, loss of enthusiasm for favorite activities or foods, and more.  Symptoms of dopamine deficiency include feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, inability to handle stress, low libido, and more.  Poor blood sugar control, whether it be insulin resistance or hypoglycemia, is the most common clinical cause for serotonin and dopamine defects.  Making sure you have proper methyl donors (B vitamins) for neurotransmitter synthesis is also crucial.

2. Elevated cytokines due to an immune challenge (chronic viral or bacterial infection, mold exposure, food sensitivities, etc) can cause a decrease output of TSH from the brain.  Eradicating the cause for the elevated cytokines and balancing the immune system is critical for proper TSH levels.

3. High cortisol from your adrenal glands can suppress TSH output.  When we have a lot of stress, active infections, blood sugar problems, etc. that causes our adrenal glands (aka stress glands) to omit a high amount of cortisol. Not good for thyroid function!

4. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause for thyroid disorders yet most doctors don't check for it.  This occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland.  There are several antibodies that can be tested to see if you have this autoimmune condition.

5. If you suffer from progesterone deficiency, you may develop fewer thyroid hormones than your body requires since the thyroid hormone producing enzyme (TPO) is increased with progesterone.  Low progesterone symptoms include heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding, migraines, infertility, early miscarriage, and more.  Stress and blood sugar imbalances are the most common causes for low progesterone.

6. Most doctors only order 1-2 lab tests, often TSH and T4.  This is too simplistic of a model since there are over 10 thyroid markers to check to figure out what is really going on with the thyroid.

7. Doctors use lab ranges rather than functional ranges when reviewing lab work.  Lab ranges are determined by who has been to the lab in the last year.  People who get lab work are typically sick, they are not healthy, so lab ranges are based on sick patient values!  Functional ranges are the range in which a healthy person should be within.

8. There are many more reasons why you may still be having thyroid symptoms!  You can continue to mask your symptoms with medications or you can figure out the root cause of your disease.