COMPREHENSIVE THYROID EVALUATION
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine organ located in the neck. It plays a central role in metabolic regulation by producing hormones that influence nearly every organ system.
THYROID FUNCTIONS
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Metabolism: Controls basal metabolic rate (BMR) and energy expenditure.
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Growth & Development: Supports muscle and bone health in adults.
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Cardiovascular: Regulates heart rate, cardiac contractility, and vascular resistance.
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Neurological: Affects mood, cognition, and reflexes.
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Reproductive: Influences menstrual regularity, ovulation, and fertility.
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Thermoregulation: Maintains body temperature by modulating heat production.
Our Approach to Evaluation
Traditional medical practitioners only evaluate the TSH for thyroid function. We take a more comprehensive approach by evaluating:
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TSH
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Total T4 - T4 is the main hormone produced by the thyroid gland. It is converted into T3 in peripheral tissues.
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Free T3 -Measures the unbound, active form of T3 — the hormone that exerts most thyroid effects at the cellular level. It is more sensitive to changes in tissue metabolism than T4.
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Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGAb)
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Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb)
Why do we evaluate #4 and #5?
The most common thyroid disease overall is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, this is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland causing autoimmune destruction of thyroid tissue.
It is strongly associated with elevated thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and sometimes thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb). Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis leads to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). If these 2 antibodies are not evaluated, there is a 100% chance that the diagnosis of the most common thyroid disease is missed!
Our approach is to evaluate and prescribe to obtain optimal numbers. This is not possible with only a TSH.