Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Thyroid Disease

Did you know that at least one in ten Americans suffer from thyroid dysfunction. The main two conditions we see and treat are Low Thyroid (hypothyroidism) and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own thyroid tissue resulting in the inability to produce sufficient thyroid hormone. In general, thyroid disease is often underdiagnosed or improperly treated by the traditional medical community because standardized testing for thyroid may miss as many as 80% of patients with this condition and standardized treatment doesn’t work for many individuals with Low Thyroid.

What Are Typical Symptoms Of Hypothyroidism?

  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty losing weight / unexplained weight gain
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Cold intolerance (Are you cold when everyone else is normal?)
  • Constipation
  • Hair loss and brittle nails
  • Dry Skin
  • Difficulty sleeping

How Do We Diagnose Hypothyroidism?

We diagnose thyroid disorders by using a combination of lab tests and subjective measures/symptoms. The point here is that valid and acceptable lab values are in a range and some patients require higher/lower values than others in order to not have symptoms. We frequently see cases where the patient’s traditional doctor has said that test results are “normal”, yet the patient is freezing cold all the time, hair is falling out and the nails are brittle. These are clear indications of hypothyroidism. This happens because many physicians rely on looking only at TSH and T4, both of which are poor indicators in some cases. To better understand this point, let’s take a look at a summary of how the thyroid works. T4 (the inactive form of thyroid hormone), made by the thyroid gland, is converted to T3 (the active form) inside the cell, which regulates your metabolism, fat burning, temperature regulation, and energy. However, many things may impair the conversion of T4 to T3 which include, stress, insulin resistance, diabetes, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Accordingly, looking at T4 without looking at T3 misses many cases of hypothyroidism. Further, many physicians don’t even think about T3 Reverse, but this component is problematic for a portion of the patient population. If T3 Reverse is elevated, it has the effect of down regulating T3 Free meaning reduced benefits form T3.  T3 reverse is made in the conversation from T4 to T3 but for many patients is elevated, thereby causing thyroid issues.  At Proactive Wellness Centers, we look more comprehensively at thyroid function by looking at T3 Free, T3 Reverse, T4 Free, TSH and thyroid peroxidase antibodies. These labs in conjunction with the subjective measures/symptoms give the complete picture. Armed with the complete picture, we can now prescribe the best thyroid treatment option for your individual situation.

How do we treat thyroid disorders?

The standard of care for hypothyroidism is Synthroid/Levothyroxine (T4 only). However many individuals may not respond to this treatment for the reasons stated above and may need a different approach to include direct T3 replacement.  Even the mainstream community is starting to recognize that T4 monotherapy isn’t sufficient for many patients.  Here is an excerpt from a recent publication on this point.

We offer other therapeutic options including bio-identical thyroid hormone replacement using T3, T3/T4 combination, or Armour thyroid (T3/T4). Managing your thyroid hormone is an important part of your overall wellness and Proactive Wellness works with you to develop a personalized treatment program that addresses your needs and helps you feel better.

What Are The Benefits Of Thyroid Replacement?

Having a properly functioning thyroid is key to good overall health. Feeling good, having more energy, thinking more clearly, losing weight, avoiding hair loss and enhanced immunity are just some of the benefits. Results can be dramatic. A proper functioning thyroid can definitely make a big difference in your overall health.

PATIENTS RESPONSE

Dear Lynese,

Words cannot describe how happy I am with your anti-aging program. I have not felt this good in YEARS. Since getting pregnant in 1995 I have been overweight. Between 1992-1995 I was being treated for infertility and had to take all sorts of hormones that made me bloated and tired.

Now, at the age of 46 I have more energy and I look better than I have in YEARS. I actually THRIVE on exercise and do it religiously because I know it is the key to keeping the weight off and enjoying the foods that I love.

As a successful businesswoman, you often feel that you can’t have everything and I put my weight and health on hold to grow my business. You have given me the gift of being able to run a business AND look good. I am getting so much attention for my weight loss and it has helped my confidence and self esteem greatly.Since I do a lot of speaking engagements, I know that image is more important than what you say or how you say it. By looking better and appearing fit and healthy, I am a more powerful public speaker!

I can’t say enough about this gift you have given me and I hope you know how much I appreciate you.

On top of all of this, you are truly a beautiful person inside and out who provides a level of caring I have never seen from a doctor, weight loss clinic or other health professional.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KB - Reston VA

June4, 2009. “Good morning! I have to tell you that I weigh 157… down from 191!!! OMG…thank you so much! I feel incredible!”

KB – Reston, VA

You are so great! I truly appreciate all you are doing for me. Phyllis and I are so fortunate to have found you.

TB - Pottstown, PA

My update. I feel pretty good!!! My bleeding is under control and I am now regular for the most part. Sometimes I will have a strange menstral bleed (long and slow), but I will take it compared to my old “normal”. I still love the progesterone and testosterone I am on. They leave me with no side effects.

I was very happy at my recent (Feb 6th) annual doc appt (physical). After the standard blood draw work up, my numbers were:
Vitamin D= 66.9 (down a bit from your work up which was 77, but still good)
Cholesterol=123 (down from 150 in Sept 2011)
Triglycerides=91 (down from 129 in Sept 2011)

So… I am the new spokesperson for HCG! I love that stuff!! smile The second round for me was amazing. I was very disciplined and determined and after about the 3rd day, it become very easy for me. I was able to drop 14lbs in an 18 day cycle!!!! AND….I am keeping that off with very little effort! OMG I couldn’t be happier! I am in the body that I am comfortable in once again! That feels so good. I am continuing to eat clean and exercise, it is a great life change!

JG—Vienna, VA

“So far I have lost 30#’s in 6 weeks and have the energy of a 40 year old. Am so thankful to be able to handle unpacking and shelving 6000 books. I am up and down stepladders and extension ladders with books in tow. The awful arthritis pain is there but the energy isn’t depleted from the pain like before and I keep going like this for hours.”

LL - Winchester, VA

Hi Lynese – In an old file I found a print out from an online longevity calculator I had used in 2007 (www.eons.com). I thought I was doing well because it said I would likely live to 86! But I just re-took the survey. Basically by cutting out the coffee, carbs and sugar, increasing my exercise and losing weight, I’ve apparently added 13 years to my life!! The calculator now says I could live to be 99!! With a little more exercise and a little less work, I could live to 106!! Thanks for all the added years Lynese!!!

All the best.

P.S. – I saw Diane over the weekend – she’s looking great, and is so happy with her weight loss.

AP - Falls Church, VA

Dare I say it out loud? It sure is looking as though Semorelin has given me my life back. I was so worried about skiing – afraid I’d ski one day and be in bed the rest of the week. But I was just fine. This past Saturday I prepared, served, and cleaned up (with help) dinner for 14. Sunday I was just fine.

SJ - McLean, Virginia

Hi Lynese – Just had to share this with you. I have appeared in an online newsletter (Legal Bisnow) twice – the first time a year ago and the second time today. Look at the difference in my photos!

It’s an absolute miracle! In the older photo even my eyelids look fat! I can’t get over how much I now look like my old self – of 20 years ago! I certainly don’t look like I’m closing in on 59, do I??

The best thing anyone has said to me so far was a comment made by a neighbor who saw me today for the first time in over a year. At first he didn’t recognize me. Then he just stared intently into my face for a few minutes and said “How is your mother?” (I was confused because he doesn’t know my mother). Then he said “I had to ask that because you look like your own daughter!” Wow!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

AP - Falls Church, VA

“With that said, I have been getting incredible compliments:
“You look like a movie star”
“What have you been doing”
“You look amazing”
“You look ten years younger”
I feel incredible”

KB - Reston, VA

Hi – hope you are doing well. Are you ready for Thanksgiving? I’m getting there. I wanted to let you know I hit the 30 lb loss today!!! Yeah! So excited! Clothes that didn’t fit are fitting. Clothes I used to wear are too big. Feeling great! A little nervous about tomorrow’s feeding frenzy- but hoping to not overindulge too bad.

LJ - Arlington, VA

Anyway – just had to tell you that my size 12 pants have been falling off of me! I went to Target this weekend to get some cheap crop pants and shorts for the summer – still not wanting to invest much in clothes that are not my “target” size. (I’ve blown past the size 14 shorts I couldn’t fit into for years). And wouldn’t you know – the 12s were too big – I fit best in the size 10!!

I’M A 10!!! I’m amazed!!

I broke the 170 barrier too – I’m now 168. Just 13 pounds to go to my goal weight. I can’t believe it. The meds have been working like a charm. I think the extra thyroid has really boosted me past a plateau. I’m cleaning out my closet like a madwoman; I can’t believe how much clothing I have for donations.

I’m still getting double takes and amazed looks from people who haven’t seen me for awhile. And after remarking how great I look, a girlfriend recently peered suspiciously at me and said – “And have you had something done to your face too? You look younger!” And I do!

AP - Falls Church, VA 6/2010

Hi Lynese — Great news – seems a fibroid has disappeared! The ultrasound revealed only one fibroid this time, and it is just a little teensy bit smaller than before. So it hasn’t gotten any bigger at all. And the other fibroid didn’t show up on the ultrasound. smile

Thank goodness I did not get that hysterectomy, huh? and thank goodness I came to you to start the bio-identical hormone therapy. I believe that the progesterone is working. And I’m so glad I’m not on the birth control pills anymore. BTW, haven’t had a period since September, and haven’t had any hot flashes either! Life is good.

AK - Germantown, MD

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