Thyroid dysfunction: Do you suspect something is wrong with yours?

Feeling sluggish? Gaining weight and finding hard to take it off?
Are you more sensitive to cold? Noticing any changes in hair texture?
If you’re a woman, maybe you’ve been experiencing changes with your periods?
Maybe your mood is off, tending to depression?

Maybe you asked your doctor if something could be wrong with your thyroid gland. They tested and told you that your thyroid function is fine, and you just need to exercise more, and have fewer starches and sugars in your diet.

It might be your thyroid gland after all. You might suffer from subclinical hypothyroidism. This condition has varied definitions. The Cleveland Clinic defines it as having elevated TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) but normal T4 (thyroxine) levels. I have also heard it defined such that all your thyroid test values are in the normal range but you respond positively to thyroid medication, including natural medicines. In my practice, and many of my colleagues, we have treated patients whose TSH value is 3.7 or 4.4, which is in the normal range (or slightly above it), but there symptom picture fits for someone suffering with hypothyroidism. Some experts in functional medicine lecture that TSH should fall between 1.0 and 2.0 when function is optimal, anything close to or above 4.0 should raise suspicion and further investigation.

It’s reported that twelve (12%) of people will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism is not well documented but raises the possibility that more than 12% of the population may suffer from thyroid dysfunction but never receive treatment because they are assessed as being “normal”.

The thyroid gland is very sensitive to external influences, like toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Two recent studies, and there are more, talks about pollutant chemicals like PCB’s, Pesticides, phthalates (plasticizer), PFAS (aka Forever Chemicals) reducing thyroid function. These chemicals, as well as heavy metals like lead, mercury and cadmium are pervasive in our lives. They build up in our bodies, and are not all fully eliminated. The burden that develops can slow down thyroid function over time. It’s important to get advice from a knowledgeable practitioner, who can investigate further, and direct you how to avoid these pollutants and help detoxify them from your body.

It’s also important to consider the role of your lifestyle in your thyroid function. Lack of exercise and nutrient-rich foods with vitamins, minerals and amino acids that support thyroid hormone production, will also slow you down. Alcohol and smoking will also complicate things for your thyroid gland.

Come to see the ND Team at Hygeia Naturopathic Clinic to help determine if this is a possible problem for you.

Dr. Scott Clack

Dr. Scott Clack graduated from the Naturopathic Medicine program at Bastyr University (Seattle, WA) in 1997. He practiced in B.C. for two years before moving to Ontario and starting practice in April 2000. In activities with the naturopathic profession, Dr. Clack was a Director of the B.C. Naturopathic Association from 1998 through 1999, as well as being appointed to the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy (the regulatory board of Naturopathic Medicine in Ontario) between 2002 and 2004. He was also voted Naturopathic Doctor of the Year in 2005 by his peers in the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors.