Have You Had a Complete Thyroid Panel Done?
Have you had a complete thyroid panel done?

There are 5 important pieces when it comes to the thyroid puzzle. TSH, FT4, FT3, Thyroid Antibodies and Reverse T3. Unfortunately, it isn't uncommon for only TSH to be tested...and if you are lucky, FT4. I encourage you to be your own health advocate and ask for a full thyroid panel to be tested.

Let me explain these in a bit more detail.

TSH stands for thyroid stimulating hormone. This basically tells us if your brain - the pituitary gland, specifically - is telling your thyroid to make thyroid hormone. If you are not getting enough of this signal, then you will not make sufficient levels of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). On the other hand, if you are getting a big signal, then you can make too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). From a functional perspective this should be between 1 and 2. Anything over two can indicate hypothyroidism.

When your thyroid gets the signal from your brain to make thyroid hormone, it makes FT4. However, this is the inactive form of thyroid hormone. That is not to say it is not important though. We need to have sufficient levels of the inactive thyroid hormone to be able to be converted to the active form, which is the FT3. 

From a functional perspective, FT4 should be at least in the middle of the reference range, if not in the upper 3/4 of the range.

The process of converting FT4 to FT3 mostly takes place in the liver. It is the FT3 that should enter the cells and do the thyroid hormone job. If this conversion doesn't happen, then there can be hypothyroid symptoms occurring.  Again, from a functional perspective, FT3 should be at least in the middle of the reference range, if not in the upper 3/4 of the range. 

The other issue is that Reverse T3 can stop FT3 from entering the cell. The reason being, it binds to the receptor sites on the cells, essentially blocking the FT3 from being able to do so.

Reverse T3 is produced when we are stressed, so it is important to have stress management techniques in place. From a functional perspective this should be no higher than middle of the reference range. Any higher than that, and the FT3 will be impaired from getting into the cells and doing its job.

The last piece of the thyroid puzzle to test for are Thyroid Antibodies. If there is a known thyroid problem, it is beneficial to know if it is the autoimmune type. The autoimmune type of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The autoimmune type of hyperthyroidism is Grave's disease.

Knowing exactly what is going on with each piece of the thyroid puzzle will give a much better guideline for further investigation and/or how to specifically tailor your treatment.

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MEET JEN

 
Hello! Thank you popping by! I’m Jen. I'm a wife, a furmama to two gorgeous dogs, a Naturopath, Nutritionist, and an advocate for natural ways to support physical and emotional wellbeing. Oh, and I’m a CEO! 

My journey originally started in Psychology. You see, when I was 16 my father took his own life after suffering years of a debilitating gambling addiction. I did a Bachelor’s in Psych as I wanted to understand why he made the choices that he did. I also wanted to ensure that I never went down that path and also help those suffering as he did. I loved it so much I went on to do a Masters.

It was during that time I got sick. I’m talking woke up one morning and couldn’t get out of bed, sick. For many years I felt helpless and frustrated!

Let me back up for a second. Prior to this life consisted of pain and fatigue. I had digestive issues and IBS from childhood. Through my teens and early 20's I was getting 2-3 migraines a month around my cycle and headaches more than half the month. My periods we very painful – I had to miss work or school the first 1-2 days. I would literally lie on the floor or the bed curled in the foetal position and cry from the pain. I could easily talk a full packet of Ibuprofen and still not get much relief.

Then, at 26, my period stopped altogether and things went downhill fast! For the first time in my life I was feeling apathetic and overwhelmed. Over the course of the next two years I was diagnosed with a host of conditions – are you ready for the laundry list? The first diagnosis was PCOS. I was told that I was infertile, that I would never have children, and that IVF wasn’t an option for me. I was also told that I was pre-diabetic, that my liver was worse than an alcoholic’s (and I don’t drink), that I had migraine disorder, vertigo, and adrenal fatigue. The cherry on the cake was a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s at 28.

I was in complete and utter shock. I couldn’t fathom that a 28-year-old Personal Trainer, who looked fit and healthy on the outside, could be in such disarray on the inside.  

Over the two years I saw five doctors and a Naturopath and nothing improved.

And then one day a friend and I got in touch. She told me to change my diet and take specific supplements. I figured I had nothing to lose, and so I did! I went onto a low-carb diet and was taking upward of 30-40 pills a day…and guess what?! Three months later my period started!! How incredible is that?!

Over the next two years all of my health ailments rectified! Well, all except my Hashi’s – more on that in a minute. My cycles became clockwork, they were manageable, the migraines and vertigo disappeared and my liver and blood sugar levels returned to the normal range! How exciting is that?! The best part, I can now have children should I choose! Having that option is incredible!

Of course I was so excited and inspired that I had to go to school and study Nutritional Medicine and Naturopathy.

Now, let’s talk about my Hashi’s. That only went into remission when my toxic load was decreased. That was a lightbulb moment for me and the moment I got fired up to share with others the importance of leading a low-tox life. I love educating people where toxins are found, what impact they have on physical and emotional wellbeing, and what products to replace them with to support your wellbeing. 

I sincerely believe that many of my health issues would not have presented if I were living a low-tox life. My Hashi’s has been in remission since I was 31 and I am so proud to say that! Praise God!

Life is so different to what it was 10 years ago. I have the energy and the mental capacity to engage in life! I am present and am thriving. Oh, and I laugh! I actually laugh out loud, something that eluded me for many years.

I am happy and healthy and it is my mission to help YOU be the happy, healthy person you are meant to be!
I would love for you to join our exclusive community and learn how you too can find freedom from physical and emotional barriers. I look forward to seeing you there!
 

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