Thyroid

It contributes to energy levels and temperature regulation and body warmth. It increases fat breakdown, resulting in weight loss as well as lower cholesterol. It protects against cardiovascular disease and improves cerebral metabolism, and it helps to prevent cognitive and memory impairment. Thyroid hormone is probably the safest and most beneficial cholesterol- lowering agent, yet it is infrequently used for this! More than any other hormone, the thyroid hormone is most responsible for improvement in energy and reducing fatigue.

We often get calls from patients whose primary care physicians have told them their thyroid is too low or too high. Because this is confusing, let us try to give you a better understanding.

The thyroid gland produces a hormone called T4. The number 4 indicates it has 4 iodine molecules. The body produces an enzyme that removes an iodine molecule and converts the T4 hormone into T3, which is the active form of the thyroid hormone. What is free and circulating in the system, available for the body to use, is the Free T3. It is the Free T3 that has the effect on energy, metabolism and all thyroid functions.

The most common thyroid measurement is the TSH or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, which stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone. This is a gauge that is opposite of your thyroid production. If the body senses there is enough thyroid present, the TSH will be low. Conversely, if the body senses there isn’t enough thyroid, the TSH goes up, trying to stimulate the thyroid gland to make more thyroid.

Here is part of the confusion. If you doctor says your thyroid is low, do they mean the TSH is low, which indicates that your actual thyroid is high? Or do they mean that your actual thyroid is low, in which case the TSH would be high?

A second point of confusion, not well understood by many physicians: If your thyroid gland is producing T4 or you are taking thyroid in the form of T4 (most commonly Synthroid® or levothyroxine), the TSH will respond to the presence of T4 and most probably be low or at a number with which your physician is comfortable. However, if the T4 is not converting into T3, the TSH will not reflect this. And if the T4 is not converting into T3, you might have all the symptoms of not having an adequate amount of thyroid since it is the T3 that is the gas in the tank. The only way to assess the Free T3 is to measure it.

Most physicians do not measure Free T3, but only measure TSH. However, as seen above, it is not a full picture of your thyroid function. Most physicians are taught to treat this TSH number and not necessarily listen to how the patient feels (most patients feel better when Free T3 is optimal).

When you supplement with Armour Thyroid or compounded desiccated thyroid, it contains both T4 and T3 in a bio identical form. The T3 gives you the energy early in the cycle while the T4 is converted into T3 for energy mid and late cycle (the cycle is typically about 7-8 hours). If we measure your Free T3 around 4-5 hours after you take your thyroid, we see how well your body is converting the T4 into T3. It is this measurement of Free T3 that is the most reflective of your thyroid levels.

Typically, when your Free T3 is optimal – close to the high end of a normal range – we will see that the TSH will be very low. This is what concerns your physicians. However, if your Free T3 is good and you feel well, without symptoms of too much thyroid (ie: heart palpitations, nervousness), your dose is usually fine, or as we prefer to say, optimal.

At ReNue Health, we always run a FULL Thyroid panel which includes TSH, T3, T4, Free T3 and Free T4 (as well as numerous other labs as they relate to your overall health)

HOW IT WORKS

Dr. Rob Kominiarek DO FACOFP is the Medical Director of ReNue Health located in Springboro, Ohio and treats male and female clients from all around the world. Dr. Rob has been specializing in Bio-identical Hormone Replacement since 2002. He can prescribe a therapy that is tailored to your unique needs.

Our focus is on the PREVENTION of the diseases associated with aging. In addition, a healthy lifestyle is important, including healthful eating and meaningful exercise. Along with strategic supplementation, bio-identical hormones are a key ingredient in your recipe for healthy aging.

ReNue Health is located conveniently in Springboro, Ohio with easy access from Dayton International Airport, Cincinnati International Airport or the adjacent Wright Brothers Private Airport (MGY) for those travelling by private aviation. Click here for directions and contact information.

Only one visit is necessary to perform a comprehensive history, interview, and education. Follow up evaluations, adjustments and balancing of hormones are done by phone or written communications and a return visit to Dr. Rob is not necessary. Ongoing testing and adjustment is mandatory and performed through a laboratory convenient to your home.

In addition to the Ohio office, Dr. Rob sees new patients in Salt Lake City, Utah. Appointments for either location can be made by calling the main office number 937.350.5527 for information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS