Thyroid Hormone

This is a metabolic hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that regulates temperature, metabolism, cerebral function, and energy.  It improves metabolism and lipolysis leading to weight loss and helps lower cholesterol levels.  Thyroid deficiency is not necessarily equivalent to a diagnosis of hypothyroidism.  For a diagnosis of hypothyroidism one needs low levels of thyroid hormone and elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).  However, a deficiency includes symptoms of low thyroid but the TSH can be normal.  Thyroid deficiency can occur for 3 reasons:  1.  Decreased production of thyroid from the gland.  2.  Decreased conversion of T4 to T3 (active thyroid hormone).  3.  Receptor site resistance, an insensitivity leading to symptoms of low thyroid despite normal blood levels.  Just because your lab values are normal doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from treatment. 

Jason & Rita