Autoimmune Disease
Confusing Thyroid Blood Work? Consider Assay Interference
When your doctor assesses or treats your thyroid function, they will usually rely on blood work. Sometimes, we see confusing blood test results, which don’t follow the predictable relationships between the various hormones being tested. Normal Testing Usually, testing is straightforward, and results align with symptoms. In cases of hypothyroidism, we expect elevated TSH and…
Read MoreConfusing Thyroid Blood Work? Consider Drug Interactions
Thyroid lab tests are commonly run. Oftentimes, the lab results make sense and treatment is straightforward. However, there are a lot of cases where the lab results don’t correlate with your symptoms, or the lab results contradict each other. Click here to learn more about how thyroid test results can be confusing. This article focuses…
Read MoreConfusing Thyroid Blood Work? Consider Non-Thyroidal Illness
When your doctor assesses or treats your thyroid function, they will usually rely on blood work. In a lot of patients suffering from hypothyroidism, blood test results are confusing, and don’t follow the expected findings; one cause is non-thyroidal illness. Normal Testing Usually, testing is straightforward and results align with symptoms. In cases of hypothyroidism, we…
Read MoreDietary Goitrogens and Thyroid Function
To Summarize: Goitrogens are substances which may interfere with thyroid function They may interfere with the thyroid gland and how the thyroid hormones are made Certain foods contain dietary goitrogens. Those foods are otherwise healthy, good foods. People with low functioning thyroid need to be aware of these, and may need to avoid them Thyroid…
Read MoreHealthy Thyroid Function: A Review of Anatomy and Physiology
This introductory article is one of many in-depth articles on thyroid function and focuses on normal thyroid anatomy and physiology. Learn more about hypothyroid, hyperthyroidism and testing by clicking the links. Basic Physiology and Anatomy The most important anatomical structures are shown in the image below: The hypothalamus creates a hormone called thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).…
Read MoreHypothyroidism? Test These Too!
Hypothyroidism is a common condition, characterized by low functioning thyroid. Lab testing is routinely conducted to diagnose and monitor thyroid conditions. While assessing your health, there are various other important things to test, as they can actually be contributing to your thyroid dysfunction, or your thyroid can affect them. For a full review of thyroid…
Read MoreA Naturopathic Approach to Thyroid Health
A Naturopathic Approach to THYROID HEALTH Thyroid Health at Absolute Health and Wellness The thyroid gland is in the neck. It is one of several tissues which make hormones, making it a part of the endocrine system. The thyroid gland receives input from two brain structures: the Hypothalamus and Anterior Pituitary Gland. These release hormones…
Read MoreBasic Thyroid Lab Testing
Lab testing is commonly performed to assess and diagnose thyroid disease. We use these tests to look for hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and other thyroid related conditions. Commonly Run Thyroid Function Tests Thyroid function tests are the blood tests done to assess thyroid function; they are one of the most requested lab investigations. In the majority of…
Read MoreThe Cholesterol and Thyroid Connection
Patients with abnormal lipid profiles (including cholesterol) are often prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications. I often tell my patients that their thyroid health directly affects their blood-cholesterol levels. Many patients are surprised as their primary physician may not have investigated this connection. The Claim: Your Cholesterol May be High Due to Low Thyroid Function You’ll see there…
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