It's important to address the real cause of your imbalances and use the most effective combination of thyroid hormones so you can feel at your best.
Everything You Need To Know About Thyroid Treatment
Hypothyroidism is generally treated with synthetic T4 (Levothyroxine). Products such as Synthroid and Levoxyl are the most widely accepted forms of thyroid replacement. This is based on an assumption that the body will convert what it needs to the biologically active form T3. However, many people cannot efficiently convert T4 to T3. This is a problem because T3 is the more active form of thyroid hormone. Even if your T4 and TSH levels are optimal, if your T3 levels are imbalanced, you may still experience symptoms.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation in 1995 demonstrated that the normalization of plasma TSH and T4 levels with T4-only preparations provide adequate tissue T3 levels to only a few tissues, including the pituitary (leading to a normal TSH level), but almost every other tissue will be deficient.
A second study done by the same authors found that the pituitary is unique in its ability to concentrate T3 in the presence of diminished thyroid levels that are not present in other tissues. Consequently, the pituitary levels of T3 and the subsequent level of TSH are poor measures of tissue hypothyroidism, as almost the entire body can be severely hypothyroid despite having a normal TSH level.
These studies add to the large amount of medical literature demonstrating that pituitary thyroid levels are not indicative of other tissues in the body and showing why the TSH level is a poor indicator of a proper thyroid dose. These studies also demonstrate that it is impossible to achieve normal tissue thyroid levels with T4 preparations such as Synthroid and Levoxyl. It is no surprise that the majority of patients on T4 preparations will continue to suffer from symptoms of hypothyroidism despite being told their levels are "normal."
Reduced thyroid transport into the cell is seen with a wide range of common conditions, including insulin resistance, diabetes, depression, bipolar disorder, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol and triglycerides), chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis), migraines, stress, anxiety, chronic dieting and aging. This high incidence of reduced cellular thyroid transport seen with these conditions makes standard thyroid tests a poor indicator of cellular thyroid levels in the presence of such conditions.
The intracellular T3 deficiency seen with these conditions often results in a vicious cycle of worsening symptoms that usually goes untreated because standard thyroid tests look normal.
At Holtorf Medical Group we specialize in comprehensive testing, including Free T4, Free T3, reverse T3, sex hormone binding globulin (SHGB), leptin, computerized measurement of tissue thyroid levels, and basal metabolic rate. These tests can help us determine if you are suffering from hypothyroidism, and can help us get you on the road to wellness.
Our treatment options include customized bioidentical thyroid hormone combinations of T4/T3, as well as time released T3. Our cutting-edge therapies also include the addition of important nutritional supplements that can help regulate thyroid balance, support a healthy metabolism, and improve your weight loss, energy, and mood. Results can be dramatic for a wide range of conditions with overall increased energy, weight loss, enhanced sense of well-being, resolution of hair loss, improved skin tone, enhanced immunity, and significantly reduced risk for cancer and heart disease. Your thyroid condition can be treated effectively with the right diagnosis and treatment.
