Hypothyroidism: The Importance of Using Your Symptoms as a Gauge

Anxiety, constipation, fatigue, depression, dry skin, weight gain, joint pain, poor circulation, hair loss, headaches, inability to concentrate … these are just some of an array of symptoms that may be due to an underactive thyroid. It is estimated that about 200 million people in the world have some form of thyroid disease. However, that estimate likely does not include those considered to have “sub-laboratory hypothyroidism” in which patients experience the previously stated symptoms, despite “normal” TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone – the substance that tells your brain to make more thyroid hormone) levels.

Sub-laboratory hypothyroidism is a controversial diagnosis. Many doctors would dismiss the possibility of any thyroid problems based upon this one marker (TSH). This illustrates a perfect example of how important it is for patients to listen to their own bodies. You’re experiencing the classic hypothyroid-like symptoms, yet a lab test supposedly tells you you don’t have hypothyroidism. Which do you believe?

In certain cases TSH may not be sensitive enough to depict any abnormalities. This is why the following additional markers may need to be used:

Complete Thyroid Panel – TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies (anti-microsomal antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies)
These markers help to differentiate between the various forms of hypothyroidism (primary, secondary, tertiary, euthyroid, sublinical, sub-laboratory or Wilson’s temperature syndrome), hyperthyroidism, iodine deficiency and selenium deficiency. The thyroid antibodies help to determine if there is an autoimmune component (Hashimoto’s or Grave’s disease, for example).

Basal Body Temperature
Dr. Broda Barnes first proposed this technique. On its own it’s not diagnostic of a thyroid disorder, however our body temperature can provide us with an indication of metabolic rate, which is linked to the thyroid. A lower than optimal body temperature can be due to a less than optimally functioning thyroid and it can also be linked to fatigued adrenals. Therefore, the basal body temperature test is useful to assess hormonal influences on metabolism, check for sub-clinical hypothyroidism and determine if imbalances in blood sugar and the adrenal glands could be affecting metabolism.

Iodine Patch Test
Iodine is involved in the production of thyroid hormone. The patch test, much like the body temperature test, is a functional assessment. So although it doesn’t directly test the thyroid, it provides a valuable assessment of how the thyroid is functioning. A small patch of iodine solution is applied to the skin and the time for the iodine to be absorbed by the body is noted. The quicker the iodine fades the greater the deficiency.

24-Hour Adrenal Saliva Test
Adrenal insufficiency, where the adrenal may be fatigued or under-functioning, can worsen thyroid conditions. Certain adrenal hormones assist in the conversion of T4 to T3. You can think of it as being somewhat of a hierarchy – your thyroid cannot fully heal if your adrenal glands are not functioning optimally. This is why it is so important to assess adrenal function. Oftentimes, thyroid medication is thought ineffective when the reason therapy isn’t working is actually because the adrenals have not been addressed.

Ferritin Level
Ferritin is a marker of iron stores in the body. Many times hypothyroid-like symptoms can actually be attributed to low iron levels. Therefore, it’s important to rule out this possibility and address the real root cause.

Above all, what is most important is how you are feeling. For example, if your TSH levels are low, but you are feeling great it does not necessarily mean that your thyroid medication needs to be lowered. For some individuals a low TSH level may be “their optimal.” You know your body best. Do not let your doctor dismiss your symptoms, your own subjective experience. Ask yourself, “Is my doctor treating me, the person, or just my lab results?” Find a doctor who will treat you, the person, listen to your concerns, is open to complementary natural therapies and will treat your thyroid condition in a holistic manner, taking into consideration the above functional assessments.

Just like not every one can be assessed solely by one laboratory marker, not every one will respond favourably to a pharmaceutical (most commonly Synthroid). There are natural therapies, including Armour Thyroid, nutrition, supplements, homeopathy, and acupuncture that may be more effective, depending on the individual.

What have your experiences been? What have you found effective for yourself?