Hypothyroid: When your thyroid speaks, but your GP is not listening

Words MIRIAM YOUNG

I meet many women, who are at their wits’ end, having been given the allclear by their GP, regarding their latest TSH result. “Your TSH is normal, it’s all part of getting older, and you do have three kids.” And so she goes back home, she’s worn out, deeply fatigued and putting on weight daily it seems. Her memory and concentration is not what it used to be and it’s making her feel depressed.

Strictly speaking TSH is actually not a thyroid hormone at all. It stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone and is produced in the brain by the pituitary gland. This release of TSH stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone, T4. T4 then, given the correct nutrients, will convert to T3. T3 is the thyroid hormone that produces energy, increases metabolism and stimulates weight loss.

Many doctors, may never request T4 or T3 bloods, but these two markers are essential to understanding a very important part of the thyroid jigsaw puzzle.

Fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, unexplained weight gain, high cholesterol, heavy/irregular periods, thinning hair, impaired memory and enlarged thyroid gland are symptoms common in people who suffer from hypothyroidism. If you recognise yourself in some of these symptoms, it is highly recommended you request a comprehensive thyroid blood panel.

If your local GP does not understand the need for thorough thyroid testing, then your complementary health care provider will be able to request these bloods: Thyroid Blood Panel TSH, T4, T3, Reverse T3, Thyroid AntiPeroxidase, Thyroglobulin, TRABS, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and Iodine Loading.

Reverse T3 can be over-elevated in a client with high stress levels and adrenal fatigue. Instead of T4 converting to the active form of thyroid hormone T3, it may shunt in the opposite direction, to the inactive form, Reverse T3. This client will be extremely tired as Reverse T3 in the body, does nothing.

Thyroid Anti-Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin are both anti-bodies that will be raised in the case of an auto-immune thyroid condition called Hashimoto’s.

As part of a thyroid panel, ‘Iodine Loading’ also needs to be completed. This tests for stored iodine, and is very different to ‘Spot Iodine’ which merely tests for circulating iodine levels.

The Oligoscan is able to perform quick and precise analysis of the minerals and heavy metals in the tissues of a client and is performed in-clinic. As the thyroid is adversely affected by heavy metals, it is worth requesting this test as part of a full thyroid analysis.

Miria Young is a Medical Herbalist and Thyroid Specialist in Brisbane. She may be contacted at: www.detox4life.com.au