Why Your Thyroid Might Not Be Ok…And How To Get The Answers You Are Searching For
You might have been told your thyroid health is fine but you’re still struggling with fatigue. Here is why it’s potentially not “fine”...
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is the hormone released when the body tells the thyroid to make more hormones. These thyroid hormones are T4 and T3 which control energy production, metabolism and cellular function in the body.
So if your TSH is high it indicates your body is not making enough thyroid hormones and could have sluggish metabolism. But if your TSH is low it could indicate your body is making a lot of thyroid hormones and so your metabolism could be overactive.
The Australian guideline is that there is clinically relevant thyroid dysfunction if your TSH is over 4. If your TSH is <4 yet you are exhausted all the time and struggling with fatigue, your GP will probably say your thyroid is fine.
Firstly, it makes sense why your GP would say your thyroid is fine. The treatment available for under-active thyroid is only indicated if your TSH is extremely elevated. It could actually do more harm than good to give thyroid replacement hormones if you don’t actually need it.
Additionally, your thyroid could self-correct in a few months so this is why to your GP, TSH of 4 or under is fine and they probably won’t investigate further until it becomes further elevated.
But if your TSH is 2.5 or higher it is actually considered subclinical hypothyroidism. This could be the cause of your endless fatigue, lethargy, hair loss, constipation and brain fog.
If your TSH is >2.5 your thyroid is actually not fine.
There isn’t a medication indicated for subclinical hypothyroidism so this isn’t something to stress about because it’s not clinically concerning at this stage. But if you want to improve your thyroid function so you can reduce your fatigue and help prevent hypothyroidism, this is where natural medicine can come in.
If you’re struggling with fatigue and you suspect your thyroid could be under- functioning, natural medicine can help. As a naturopath, we will investigate evidence-informed underlying causes of your thyroid dysfunction such as potential:
iodine deficiency
autoimmune disease
gut dysfunction impacting thyroid function via the thyroid-gut axis
deficiencies of selenium, protein, vitamin A, zinc or iron which could be affecting your thyroid function
chronic stress impacting your thyroid
Just like one of my clients who came to see me with a TSH reading of 4 on her previous blood test and unexplained fatigue for the past 4 years. She had been told her thyroid health was fine but when we did further investigation we uncovered an iodine deficiency driving her thyroid under-function. By supporting her body with the cofactors she needed to produce thyroid hormones, we improved her fatigue from 3/10 to 10/10!!!
If you have only had TSH tested and want to investigate your full thyroid function, you can test T4, T3 and reverse T3 privately. We can also test thyroid antibodies to see if there is autoimmune dysfunction occurring. The earlier you intervene with natural medicine, the more effective it can be to correct an underlying nutritional or biochemical imbalance.
How Decode Your Health Can Help
Getting to the root cause of your symptoms is essential for long-term health and wellness. By addressing the underlying issues, rather than just the symptoms, you can achieve a more balanced and healthy life.
If you're struggling with symptoms and feel overwhelmed by the complexity of finding the root cause, my service Decode Your Health is here to help. By analysing your blood test results and conducting a comprehensive health audit, I provide you with a clear picture of your health. By understanding the nuances of your symptoms, I can support you on a personalised healing journey.
My nurturing and warm approach ensures that you feel supported every step of the way. Whether you're dealing with stress, hormonal imbalances, or chronic digestive issues, Decode Your Health offers the clarity and guidance you need to take control of your health.
Ready to get to the root cause of your thyroid? Book in for Decode Your Health here!
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