Hypothyroid Holding You Back? Restore Energy Naturally Now

Hypothyroid, Sluggish or Low Thyroid

What does hypothyroid mean?

Hypothyroidism means that your thyroid isn’t working well. When your thyroid is underperforming, low levels of thyroid hormone (T3 or T4) will be in your bloodstream.  It also means that your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is too high, trying to push your thyroid to keep working.

What are hypothyroid symptoms?

Because your thyroid is like the gas pedal for your body, if your thyroid is low, then everything in your body will run too slowly.  Symptoms of a sluggish thyroid include:

1. Hair loss
2. Slow metabolism, easy weight gain, or difficulty losing weight
3. Feeling mentally sluggish or lethargic
4. Low energy or feeling tired all the time
5. Feeling cold all the time
6. Constipation
7. Irregular periods
8. Infertility

What are the tests for the thyroid?

• TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). This hormone is released from your pituitary gland and stimulates your thyroid to produce the hormone it is supposed to make, T4.  The normal range for TSH is quite broad, usually something like 0.35-5.00 mIU/L.  TSH levels above 3.00 are not ideal and may warrant treating your thyroid, particularly in people who are struggling with infertility.
• Free T4. This test measures the hormone that your thyroid is responsible for making. Low levels indicate hypothyroidism.  Normally, this level is 12-22 pmol/L, although my standard for a healthy thyroid is around 14-17 pmol/L.
• Free T3. This is the active form of thyroid hormone. This regulates your metabolism and body temperature and gives you energy.  Normally, the range for free T3 is 3.5-6.5 pmol/L.  Between 4.0 and 5.0 pmol/L is best for free T3 in healthy patients.
• Reverse T3. Under stress or increased inflammatory conditions, your thyroid hormone, T4, can be overly converted into an inactive form of T3 known as reverse T3. Because it is inactive, it can block the effects of active T3, causing symptoms of an underactive thyroid.
• Anti-TPO or anti-thyroperoxidase or anti-thyroid peroxidase. These are antibodies that your immune system may be making that would attack your thyroid and destroy the tissue, causing you to become hypothyroid.  These antibodies are high in 90% of cases of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.  The normal value for anti-TPO is less than 35.  I have had patients with normal values for TSH, free T3, and free T4, yet still have high levels of anti-TPO antibodies. As a result, I always incorporate this test into my thyroid screening.
• Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. These antibodies are similar to anti-TPO in that they are indicative of an immune system attack on your thyroid. They should also be tested to determine if your thyroid is underactive due to Hashimoto’s.  The normal value for anti-thyroglobulin is less than 10.

What causes an underactive thyroid?

This varies from person to person, so naturopathic medicine is an excellent option.  We treat you as an individual and source out why you specifically are having thyroid issues.  Common causes of thyroid problems:

Nutritional deficiency

The thyroid requires copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, and tyrosine to work normally. Too much iodine can be harmful to the thyroid, as can too little. Always consult a professional before supplementing with iodine.

Autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s

Hashimoto’s is quite common. Determining if this is the problem requires testing of anti-TPO and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, which are often not done, even with an obvious thyroid problem. If these antibodies are positive, the right approach is to moderate your immune system.

Environmental toxins and hormone disruptors

Mercury and other heavy metals are hard on your thyroid.  Air and water pollution are sources of mercury exposure, along with consuming certain types of fish, seafood and amalgam fillings. Xenoestrogens or environmental estrogens like BPA have been shown to disrupt thyroid hormones¹.

Stress

Stress can generally disrupt the endocrine system and negatively impact your immune system.

Can a Naturopathic Doctor Treat Hypothyroidism?

Yes.  In Ontario, at present, I cannot prescribe thyroid hormone medication. However, many of my patients have been able to successfully fix their thyroid problems without medication.

Natural Treatment for Hypothyroid

The best steps to fix your thyroid naturally include:

1. Nutritional support for your thyroid
2. Moderate your immune system in the case of autoimmune disorders of your thyroid
3. Enhance healthy phase I and phase II liver detoxification to remove toxins and heavy metals that disrupt your thyroid
4. Moderate stress and support your hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis

For help with this or any other health problem, book an appointment here or call the office for more information at 416-481-0222.

by Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), ND

Dr. Pamela Frank has been in practice as a naturopathic doctor for over 26 years. Since 1999, she has earned acclaim as a leading naturopath in Toronto, amassing multiple awards.

Dr. Pamela has a special interest in addressing hormone-related complexities, including but not limited to PCOS, endometriosis, acne, hair loss, weight management, thyroid issues, and fertility.

Residing in Toronto with her family and loyal companion, Dolly the rescue dog, Dr. Pamela seamlessly combines her professional commitment with a diverse range of interests.

Beyond her clinical endeavours, she actively engages in kickboxing, leadership roles within Scout Groups, yoga practice, podcasting, and outdoor pursuits such as backcountry camping.

Dr. Pamela’s comprehensive approach reflects not only her dedication to optimal health but also her passion for continual personal and professional growth.

Natural Treatment for Low Thyroid: A Sample of the Research:

1. Nashwa M. Saied, Wafaa A. Hassan, Long-term exposure to xenoestrogens alters some brain monoamines and both serum thyroid hormones and cortisol levels in adult male rats. The Journal of Basic & Applied Zoology. Volume 67, Issue 5, October 2014, Pages 205–211.
2. Overall, the current study demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation among hypothyroid patients for 12 weeks improved serum TSH and calcium concentrations compared with the placebo, but it did not alter serum T3, T4, ALP, PTH, and albumin levels. Source: Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2018 Sep-Oct;22(5):584-588. doi: 10.4103/ijem.IJEM_603_17. The Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Thyroid Function in Hypothyroid Patients: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial. Talaei A1, Ghorbani F1, Asemi Z2.
3. Selenium supplementation could restore euthyroidism in one third of subclinical hypothyroidism patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Endokrynol Pol. 2016;67(6):567-571. doi: 10.5603/EP.2016.0064. Selenium supplementation could restore euthyroidism in subclinical hypothyroid patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Pirola I, Gandossi E, Agosti B, Delbarba A, Cappelli C1.