The Crucial Thyroid Panel Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You About

Thyroid dysfunction is a common issue that affects millions of people around the world. Located in the neck, it produces hormones that regulate metabolism, energy levels, and body temperature. When the thyroid gland is not functioning properly, it can cause a range of symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, and anxiety.

Conventional medicine typically treats thyroid dysfunction with pharmaceutical drugs, which limits treatment options. While this can be effective in managing the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, it does not address the root cause of the problem. This is why doctors usually perform a small number of tests (such as TSH, T3 and T4 only), because they have limited options with drugs that are available. 

Functional medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying causes of chronic diseases, rather than just treating the symptoms (usually with pharmaceuticals). Functional medicine doctors work with their patients to identify the root causes of their health issues and develop personalized treatment plans that address these issues.

What’s going on beneath the surface?

Functional medicine practitioners will run a comprehensive testing panel consisting of 10 tests, as they can better utilize the detailed information to get to the root cause of the dysfunction that is occurring. Just because your body is displaying symptoms associated with thyroid dysfunction doesn’t mean that is where the problem originated. Detailed testing can point a functional medicine practitioner on the right track to identifying the root cause. 

To accurately assess thyroid function on a deeper level, functional medicine doctors may recommend a variety of tests including the Free Thyroxine index (FTI), Reverse T3 (rT3), Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) and anti globulin Thyroid antibody (TGAB) tests. These tests can provide valuable information about thyroid function and help to identify any imbalances or underlying issues.

• The Free Thyroxine index (FTI) is a blood test that measures the amount of thyroid hormone in the body. It is used to determine if the thyroid gland is producing enough hormones or if there is an imbalance in thyroid hormone production.
• The Reverse T3 (rT3) test measures the level of a specific thyroid hormone called reverse T3 in the body. High levels of reverse T3 can indicate that the body is not using thyroid hormones effectively, which can lead to symptoms of thyroid dysfunction.
• The Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) test measures the level of antibodies in the blood that attack the thyroid gland. High levels of TPO antibodies can indicate an autoimmune disorder such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which can cause thyroid dysfunction.
• The anti globulin Thyroid antibody (TGAB) test measures the level of antibodies in the blood that attack thyroid hormones. High levels of TGAB antibodies can indicate an autoimmune disorder such as Graves' disease, which can cause thyroid dysfunction.

By identifying the root causes of your thyroid dysfunction, a functional medicine doctor can develop a treatment plan that addresses these issues and helps to restore optimal thyroid function. This may involve a combination of lifestyle changes, such as dietary changes and stress management techniques, as well as supplements or medications to support thyroid function.

Functional medicine focuses on treating the whole person, rather than just the thyroid gland. This means that a functional medicine doctor will consider how all of the body's systems are interconnected and how they may be impacting your thyroid health. For example, if you have an imbalance in your gut bacteria, it can affect your thyroid function. A functional medicine doctor will work with you to address any imbalances in the gut and support overall health and wellness.

 

Get back on track to a healthier YOU

In addition to addressing the root causes of thyroid dysfunction, functional medicine can also help to improve overall health and prevent future health issues. By addressing underlying imbalances and supporting the body's natural healing processes, functional medicine can help to improve energy levels, sleep, mood, and overall quality of life.

Functional medicine can be a valuable addition to your healthcare journey. If you are struggling with thyroid dysfunction and are looking for a more holistic approach to treatment, we can help! With our expertise and personalized approach, we can help you to identify and address the root causes of your thyroid dysfunction, and support optimal thyroid health and overall wellness. By using tests like the Free Thyroxine index, Reverse T3, Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) and anti globulin Thyroid antibody tests, together we can gain a deeper understanding of your thyroid health and develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs.