Thyroid Symptoms but "Normal" Labs?

Thyroid conditions currently impact 20 million Americans, and over 12% of all Americans are expected to develop thyroid conditions during their lifetimes. Traditional allopathic care for thyroid conditions involves pharmaceuticals and surgery. Holistic, nutritionally focused care can help support optimal thyroid health and recovery from thyroid conditions.

All lab reference ranges used in allopathic medicine are based on the normal population, and are calculated by finding the estimated range in which 95% of the undiagnosable population would fall. By design, these ranges are created to identify disease, not to prevent it. Using functional/optimal reference ranges allows holistic practitioners, like Renewed Hope Nutrition, to support optimal thyroid function and prevent thyroid conditions from developing. 

Thyroid stimulating hormone, TSH, is the hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland to instruct the thyroid to produce other hormones. The optimal range for TSH is 1.0 to 2.0. T4 and T3 are the primary hormones produced by the thyroid gland. T4 is converted into T3, which is the active form of the hormone that is used to carry out metabolic functions. Assessing the ratio between free T4 and free T3 provides insights into the body’s ability to convert T4 into T3. 

It is important to test free T4 and free T3, instead of the conventional T4 and T3 tests, as these labs provide a more accurate measure of thyroid activity by showing the available amount of the hormone, rather than just the protein bound amount. The optimal range for free T4 is 6.0 to 12.0, and the optimal range for free T3 is 100 to 230. Direct free T4 can also be tested and has an optimal range of 1.20 to 1.50. The most useful set of thyroid labs from a functional perspective is TSH, T3, T4, T3 uptake, free T3, free T4, TPOAB, and reverse T3.

The most important nutrients to support thyroid function are copper, retinol (vitamin A), and magnesium. Testing RBC copper, vitamin A, and RBC magnesium levels will provide information to determine whether supplementation is necessary or if dietary changes are sufficient.  If needed, whole-food supplements are the best way to meet nutrient requirements that are not being met by a healthy diet. 

Food sources of copper include beef liver, oysters, crab, salmon, dark unsweetened chocolate, cashews, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, chickpeas, millet, potatoes, and spinach. Sources of dietary vitamin A include leafy green vegetables, orange and yellow vegetables, tomatoes, red bell peppers, cantaloupe, mango, beef liver, fish oils, dairy, and eggs. Magnesium rich foods include almonds, peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, legumes, dark leafy greens, white potatoes, brown rice, oatmeal, salmon, beef, poultry, bananas, raisins, dark unsweetened chocolate, and dairy. Eating these foods as a part of an organic whole food diet is the best way to support overall health and thyroid function.

In addition to these essential nutrients, glandular thyroid supplements can be used to support thyroid function in cases where thyroid conditions are present. Glandular thyroid supplements are made from the desiccated thyroid glands of bovine animals. Choosing a high quality source is vital for efficacy and safety, since these supplements contain natural traces of thyroid hormones. In practice, many people have been able to reduce or discontinue their prescription thyroid medication after introducing a glandular thyroid supplement.

Ensuring nutrient sufficiency and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal can help you overcome your thyroid condition or prevent the onset of such a condition. Contact Renewed Hope Nutrition to schedule an appointment for tailored nutrition advice, supplement recommendations, and lab interpretations.