Thyroid

At The Goode Health Clinic we work with Hashimoto’s Disease (also known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis), Hypothyroidism, Graves’s Disease, Hyperthyroidism and those experiencing thyroid symptoms. Thyroid Disease is increasingly common and one of the most common autoimmune diseases in the world. 90% of Hypothyroidism is the chronic autoimmune Hashimoto’s Disease. We see imbalances in thyroid function via the thyroid hormones TSH, T4 and T3 levels and if autoimmune in nature we look at immune function and thyroid antibodies TPO Ab, TG Ab and TRAb.

Root causes we commonly see in thyroid are chronic stress, adrenal imbalance, neurological impairment, viral infections, nutrient deficiencies, chronic inflammation, gut imbalance.

Thyroid Conditions

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    Hashimoto’s:

    Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease where the body mistakenly attacks the thyroid, causing chronic inflammation and, over time, hypothyroidism. It’s one of the most common causes of thyroid dysfunction and requires both thyroid-specific and immune support.

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    Hypothyroidism:

    This condition occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, and sluggishness. It can develop slowly and often requires targeted support to restore balance.

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    Grave’s:

    Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition and a leading cause of hyperthyroidism. It can result in more severe symptoms, including eye problems (Graves’ ophthalmopathy), and requires a comprehensive, personalised approach to treatment.

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    Hyperthyroidism:

    In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid becomes overactive, producing too much hormone. This can lead to symptoms like rapid heart rate, weight loss, anxiety, and heat intolerance. Careful management is needed to address the underlying causes and symptoms.

Thyroid Symptoms

Due to the fact that thyroid conditions are commonly autoimmune there are thought to be 100s of symptoms link to thyroid disorders, but here are some of the most common ones…

HYPOTHYROID / HASHIMOTO’S…

  • Fatigue and low energy

  • Unexplained weight gain

  • Cold sensitivity or feeling cold often

  • Dry skin and brittle hair or nails

  • Hair thinning or hair loss

  • Depression or low mood

  • Constipation

  • Puffy face or swelling in the hands and feet

  • Slow heart rate

  • Muscle weakness or stiffness

  • Joint pain or stiffness

  • Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

  • Hoarseness or changes in the voice

  • Heavy or irregular menstrual periods

  • Enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)

HYPERTHYROID / GRAVE’S…

  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

  • Unintentional weight loss

  • Feeling hot or heat intolerance

  • Increased appetite

  • Nervousness, anxiety, or irritability

  • Tremors or shakiness in the hands

  • Insomnia or difficulty sleeping

  • Diarrhoea or frequent bowel movements

  • Muscle weakness

  • Sweating excessively

  • Bulging eyes or eye irritation (Graves’ ophthalmopathy)

  • Light or infrequent menstrual periods

  • Enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)

  • Thinning skin or brittle hair

Conventional treatment for thyroid.

Conventional treatment is thyroid hormone replacement treatment with medications.

The biggest misconception with thyroid disease.

Taking my meds is all I need to do to treat my thyroid.

Most thyroid cases are autoimmune and as well as working on balancing your thyroid hormones you need to work on balancing your immune function, you also need to work on all parts of your thyroid pathways. We need to look at:

  • the TSH balance,

  • the conversion of T4 to T3 and

  • the uptake of thyroid hormones into the cells,

  • you must also work on the autoimmune disease and immune function (if present),

  • plus the interconnections between the thyroid and other areas of the body, i.e the brain, adrenals, gut, endocrine system, and more. Read more in my bestselling debut book Optimal YOU.

Your medication only work on the TSH balance.

Thyroid Testing

In conventional medicine thyroid treatment and testing is limited, usually consisting of thyroxine based on the following tests:

  • TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone): The primary marker used to assess thyroid function and detect hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

  • Free T4 (Thyroxine): Often used alongside TSH to evaluate the thyroid gland’s hormone production.

By coming to us and taking a functional medicine approach you get a holistic, root cause plan and have access to a wide variety of testing using UK, Europe and American testing labs, including some or all of the following:

  • Full Thyroid Panel:

    • TSH

    • Free T4

    • Free T3 (the active thyroid hormone)

    • Reverse T3 (to assess thyroid hormone conversion and potential blockers)

    • Thyroid Antibodies:

      • TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies): To detect Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

      • TG (Thyroglobulin Antibodies): To evaluate autoimmune thyroid conditions.

      • TRAb (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Receptor Antibodies): Specific to Graves’ disease.

  • Root Cause Testing:

    • Adrenal Function Testing (Cortisol and DHEA): To assess the stress-thyroid connection.

    • Comprehensive Nutrient Testing: To identify deficiencies in iodine, selenium, zinc, magnesium, vitamin D, and iron—all critical for thyroid function.

    • Inflammation Markers (CRP, homocysteine): To evaluate systemic inflammation that may affect the thyroid.

    • Comprehensive Stool Analysis: To assess gut health and identify imbalances like dysbiosis or leaky gut, which can contribute to autoimmune thyroid conditions.

    • Environmental Toxin Testing: To identify exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, and endocrine disruptors that may interfere with thyroid function.

    • Mycotoxin testing: to assess for mould toxicity

    • Viral Testing: To detect reactivated or chronic viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), or other latent viruses that may trigger autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s or Graves’.

    • Mitochondrial Function Testing: To assess energy production, as mitochondrial dysfunction is often linked to fatigue and thyroid issues.

    • Nutrigenomics and Genetic Testing: To evaluate genetic predispositions impacting thyroid function, hormone metabolism, and autoimmune risk.

Take a functional approach…

Root Causes

Thyroid disorders rarely occur in isolation. Functional medicine focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying causes that contribute to thyroid dysfunction. These are some of the most common root causes:

  1. Autoimmune Triggers
    Autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease result when there is an immune system imbalance. This immune dysfunction can be triggered by factors such as chronic infections, gut imbalances, or environmental toxins. Identifying and addressing these triggers is key to managing autoimmune-related thyroid conditions.

  2. Chronic Stress and Adrenal Dysfunction
    Prolonged stress can lead to adrenal dysfunction, which disrupts the delicate balance of hormones in the body. High levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, can impair thyroid hormone production and conversion, while chronic stress can also weaken the immune system, exacerbating autoimmune thyroid conditions.

  3. Gut Health and the Gut-Immune Connection
    The health of your gut plays a critical role in thyroid function. Conditions like leaky gut (intestinal permeability), dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria), or food sensitivities can trigger inflammation and immune system imbalances that impact the thyroid. Healing the gut is often a cornerstone of thyroid treatment in functional medicine.

  4. Nutrient Deficiencies
    Thyroid hormone production and conversion rely on adequate levels of specific nutrients. Deficiencies in selenium, zinc, or iron can impair thyroid function. Vitamin D, a crucial immune regulator, is often deficient in autoimmune thyroid conditions. A personalised approach to addressing nutrient imbalances is essential.

  5. Environmental Toxins
    Exposure to environmental toxins, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and endocrine disruptors, can interfere with thyroid function. These toxins may mimic or block thyroid hormones, disrupt hormone receptors, or contribute to inflammation. Detoxification and minimising exposure to these toxins are vital steps in restoring thyroid health.

  6. Hormonal Imbalances
    Thyroid function is closely linked to other hormones, including oestrogen, progesterone, and insulin. Hormonal imbalances, such as insulin resistance or oestrogen dominance, can create additional stress on the thyroid gland and impact its ability to function properly.

  7. Infections and Chronic Inflammation
    Chronic infections, whether viral (e.g., Epstein-Barr virus) or bacterial, can trigger inflammation and immune responses that affect the thyroid. Reducing chronic inflammation and addressing infections is an integral part of managing thyroid disorders.

By addressing these root causes, functional medicine provides a comprehensive and personalised approach to restoring thyroid health and overall well-being.

How The Goode Health Clinic supports thyroid conditions?

Our Immune Health Clinic supports patients with thyroid conditions. We dig deep into your root causes to help your body find balance and bring you back to the optimal version of you.