Condition Guide

"Your Labs Are Normal" — But You Know Something's Off

Your thyroid controls metabolism, energy, mood, and more. Yet standard testing often misses dysfunction. Learn what comprehensive assessment reveals.

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This Tiny Gland Runs the Whole Show

Your thyroid gland produces hormones that affect virtually every cell in your body — metabolic rate, body temperature, heart rate, brain function, and energy production. When it's underperforming, everything slows down.

When Your Thyroid Slows Down, Everything Does

Energy & Metabolism

Low thyroid = slow metabolism. Every cell produces less energy, causing fatigue and weight gain.

Brain Function

Thyroid hormones are critical for cognition. Low levels cause brain fog and depression.

Cardiovascular Health

Thyroid affects heart rate and cholesterol. Low thyroid raises cardiovascular risk.

Weight & Body Comp

Metabolism slows, making weight loss difficult even with diet and exercise.

Does Any of This Ring a Bell?

Fatigue and low energy
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Feeling cold when others are comfortable
Brain fog, poor memory
Depression or low mood
Dry skin, brittle nails, hair loss
Constipation
Muscle weakness or joint pain
Heavy or irregular periods

Why Your Doctor Says You're Fine (When You're Not)

The Problem: TSH-Only Testing

Most doctors only test TSH. If it's in the "normal" range, you're told your thyroid is fine. But this misses poor T4-to-T3 conversion, high reverse T3, and autoimmune antibodies attacking your thyroid.

What Complete Testing Includes

TSH: How hard your pituitary works to stimulate thyroid
Free T4: The inactive hormone your thyroid produces
Free T3: The active hormone that affects cells
Reverse T3: Inactive form that can block T3 action
TPO Antibodies: Indicates Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroid
Thyroglobulin Ab: Another autoimmune marker

The Lab Range Problem

"Normal" lab ranges are based on population averages, including many unhealthy people. A TSH of 4.0 is "normal" but may not be optimal. Many feel best with TSH between 1-2.

What's Actually Going Wrong

1

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

The #1 cause of hypothyroidism is autoimmune — your immune system attacking your thyroid. Up to 90% of hypothyroidism cases are Hashimoto's, yet many are never tested for antibodies.

2

Nutrient Deficiencies

Thyroid hormone production requires iodine, selenium, zinc, iron, vitamin D, and B vitamins. Deficiencies in any of these impair function.

3

Poor T4-to-T3 Conversion

Your body converts T4 to active T3. This conversion can be impaired by stress, inflammation, gut issues, and liver dysfunction.

4

Chronic Stress

High cortisol reduces T4-to-T3 conversion and increases reverse T3 (which blocks T3). Stress literally slows your metabolism.

5

Gut Health

20% of T4-to-T3 conversion happens in the gut. Dysbiosis and inflammation impair this process. Gut issues also drive autoimmunity.

What You Can Actually Do About It

Get Complete Testing

Request full panel: Free T3, Reverse T3, and antibodies

Address Autoimmunity

If Hashimoto's, focus on reducing inflammation

Support Conversion

Selenium, zinc, and stress reduction help T4→T3

Check Iodine

Test levels first — excess can worsen Hashimoto's

Heal the Gut

Gut health affects conversion and autoimmunity

Manage Stress

Chronic stress impairs thyroid at multiple levels

The Nutrients Your Thyroid Is Starving For

Selenium: Critical for T4-to-T3 conversion; may reduce antibodies
Zinc: Needed for hormone production and conversion
Iodine: Essential building block (test before supplementing)
Vitamin D: Low levels linked to autoimmune thyroid disease
Iron: Required for thyroid hormone synthesis
B Vitamins: Support energy production and thyroid function

Trust What Your Body Is Telling You

Our AI can help you understand your symptoms and identify if your thyroid needs deeper investigation. Free and available now.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most doctors only test TSH, which can miss many thyroid problems. You may have poor T4-to-T3 conversion, elevated reverse T3 blocking your active hormone, or Hashimoto's antibodies attacking your thyroid — none of which show up on a standard TSH test. A complete thyroid panel is essential for uncovering the full picture.

Hashimoto's is an autoimmune condition where your immune system gradually destroys your thyroid gland. It's the #1 cause of hypothyroidism, responsible for up to 90% of cases, yet many people are never tested for the antibodies that diagnose it. Managing Hashimoto's requires addressing the autoimmune component, not just replacing thyroid hormone.

Request a complete panel: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, TPO antibodies, and thyroglobulin antibodies. Free T3 shows your active hormone level, Reverse T3 reveals conversion issues, and antibodies detect Hashimoto's autoimmunity. This comprehensive view often explains symptoms that a TSH-only test misses entirely.

The thyroid requires selenium (critical for T4-to-T3 conversion and may reduce antibodies), zinc (needed for hormone production), iodine (the building block of thyroid hormones — but test before supplementing), iron (required for hormone synthesis), vitamin D, and B vitamins. Deficiencies in any of these can impair thyroid function.

Yes — an underactive thyroid slows your metabolic rate, making it very difficult to lose weight even with a healthy diet and exercise. Low thyroid also promotes fluid retention and can impair fat metabolism. Optimizing thyroid function often helps break through weight loss resistance that diet alone cannot address.

Chronic stress significantly impairs thyroid function in multiple ways: elevated cortisol reduces T4-to-T3 conversion, increases reverse T3 (which blocks active hormone), suppresses TSH production, and can worsen autoimmune thyroid inflammation. Stress management is a non-negotiable part of thyroid health optimization.

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