Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism

Autoimmunity, toxicants in our environment, and trace mineral malnutrition are common cofactors

The standard of care for hypothyroidism (too little) is to provide daily replacement of Thyroxine (T4) to achieve normal function. Many people with hypothyroidism have conversion problems of T4 to the active Triiodothyronine (T3). When there are conversion problems, it is common for the patient to be unable to find a correct T4 dose that makes them feel well and fully functional. Some doctors jump to dosing desiccated animal thyroid (Armour, Naturthroid, etc.) as these glandular sources have both T4 and T3. Cytomel is a T3 only hormone replacement that will sometimes be used in combination with levothyroxine (T4).

Frequently there is an autoimmune component to hypothyroidism called “Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroiditis” that adds yet another wild card to the treatment picture. All too often the person with a complicated hypothyroid condition is over treated with replacement hormones, while never achieving a normal thyroid hormone state that provides both safety and well being. While hypothyroid and hyperthyroid (too much) can be equally dysfunctional to daily life, over treatment and hyperthyroid have serious long term consequences on heart health and bone density.

All too often practitioners focus on just the TSH and T4 numbers, giving the patient’s subjective experience insufficient consideration for how the treatment plan is working. When your thyroid treatment plan is comprehensively individualized, both your lab numbers and your experience of well being agree that you are in a good place.