Thyroid Health: What you Should be Testing

THYROID TESTING:

Are you getting all the tests you need?? 💉

If you suspect any hormonal or thyroid issue, lab testing is crucial. A comprehensive panel is needed to know how your body, thyroid and hormone levels are.

Let’s talk a little Thyroid Health 101 👇

Step 1:The Hypothalamus (located in the brain) signals the Pituitary gland (also in the brain) releases TSH (Thyroid Stiumlating Hormone) to Thyroid gland.

Step 2: The release of TSH stimulates the Thyroid gland itself to release T4 & T3.

Step 3: T4 hormone is inactive and has to be converted to T3. T3 is the ACTIVE hormone that is utilized by your cells for Thyroid functioning.

There is a feedback loop between the brain and the thyroid. When the body and the cells sense that the active T3 hormone is low, the hypothalamus and pituitary naturally respond and release more TSH (thus so the thyroid can create T4, then T3) and bring the body back into homeostasis.

So having an ELEVATED TSH number is actually NOT good. More is not better in this case, because it is showing that the body is responding to having low active T4 and T3 hormones.

If you’re a little confused…it’s okay. The thyroid is pretty complex! There are many steps AND many factors that relate to the health of the thyroid.

Main Takeaways:

• TSH technically measures the output of the brain, not the thyroid
• A TSH lab number does not show how the Thyroid is actually fully functioning
• An elevated TSH can detect hypothyroidism, while a very low TSH can predict hyperthyroidism
• The thyroid utilizes TSH to create T4 and T3 hormones
• T3 is the active thyroid hormone that the body’s cells use

So unfortunately, many doctors are not fully educated or familiar with the complexity of the Thyroid. Most, if asked about thyroid labs, will only test TSH and sometimes T4. This does NOT paint the whole picture! It can show how your Thyroid is producing some hormones, but not how they’re being utilized by the body.

So, what SHOULD be included in Thyroid Testing??

A Full Thyroid Panel:
TSH
Free T4 & T3
Total T4 and T3
“Free” Hormone means what is available in the bloodstream to bind with cell receptors to activate the hormone.
“Total” Hormone means just that; it’s the total amount of hormone in your system. It’s important, but the Free amounts are better indicators of how well the hormones are functioning
Reverse T3: This will show how much T3 is being converted properly; A low RT3 is ideal.
Thyroid antibodies: TPO & TgAb (Thyroglobulin)
These are important markers that can show any autoimmune issues like Hashimoto’s
Sometimes, all of the thyroid hormones can be normal, but there’s a presence of antibodies, showing a serious autoimmune condition!

Did you know?
20% of the conversion from T4 to T3 active hormone happens in the GUT.
So if there’s any type gut issue or inflammation, you can develop an underactive thyroid.
Many factors affect your thyroid hormone conversion and levels, such as nutritional deficiencies, gut functioning, liver detoxification, adrenal health, stress, medication, etc.

THE NEXT STEP: Get your Labs!

What gets Measured gets Managed. Chances are if you wanting to test your thyroid, you might have already been some symptoms or feeling just off. While these are important, they are also subjective and can be influenced on a daily basis. It is quite important to get objective measurements, through blood work, to be able to monitor, control and heal any imbalances!

So what if you don’t where to start?

Or maybe you’ve been turned down for thyroid testing?

Maybe you’ve been told it’s “not necessary” or “not available to test”. I feel ya…I’ve been in those same shoes. You feel frustrated, discouraged and meanwhile, still not feeling well!
We as patients MUST be our own advocate with our health. What gets tested, measured gets managed.

If your doctor won’t test for your thyroid, you have other options.
You can seek out different doctors or reach out to a Functional Medicine/Integrative Practitioner. Many now do Telemedicine; they can order tests for your virtually if there’s no docs in your area.

For more detailed information on how to find a doctor and/or communicate with yours to get the tests you deserve, you can read that here: HOW TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT LABS.

Do you have questions about thyroid health, how to find a doctor, or not sure how to dechiper your symptoms? I can help.

Send me a message below and we can chat!