There are several causes for hypothyroidism, however, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. Unfortunately, many patients are not aware that they have this underlying autoimmune dysfunction and often have limited thyroid testing including TSH and free T4.
Patients are are taking thyroid hormones which may be necessary but they still may suffer from common thyroid symptoms such as fatigue, hair loss, feeling cold, depression, constipation, weight gain, foggy brain, memory issues, and hot flashes. Their labs come back normal, but they still have these symptoms.
I see patients in the office like this all the time. The truth is there is a very common cause of a low thyroid dysfunction that is many times completely missed due limited laboratory testing.
Many patients have underlying autoimmune dysfunction and not a primary thyroid problem. It is essential to run comprehensive thyroid testing including thyroid antibodies [Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody (TPO) and Thyroglobulin Antibody] as well as TSH, free T3, free T4, and reverse T3.
Most thyroid patients are never told that they have an autoimmune issue and that they can change the trajectory of their condition through diet, lifestyle, and nutrition therapeutics
It can take months or years to received a diagnosis of hypothyroidism and most patients are never tested for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This is because the treatment does not change in traditional medicine. Over 90% of of hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and if you do not address the underlying autoimmunity, you may continue to have thyroid symptoms and a decline in thyroid function and be at risk for other autoimmune conditions.
Although autoimmunity is not curable, it can often be put into remission through diet, lifestyle, and nutritional therapeutics.
My goal is not treat your label (diagnosis) but identify the “underlying cause” of why your condition exists in the first place. Unfortunately, few healthcare practitioners embrace or investigate into these areas.