Apple Podcasts | Spotify

---

It’s estimated that over 20 million people in the United States have some form of thyroid condition, and almost 60% of those people have no idea. That’s why a full thyroid panel can be beneficial.

On today’s “Ask Me Anything” episode, I am answering Diana’s question about what a full thyroid panel is and why you need it.

Most doctors will run TSH levels if thyroid issues are suspected, but they stop there. I give the full run down on why that’s not good enough and the exact panels you’ll need to have to know if you have a thyroid issue. A full thyroid panel consists of not one, but six thyroid markers. You need them all to to see the whole picture.

This entire episode is one big love letter to all the women out there who are struggling and not getting the medical care that they deserve. And this is the episode that I wish I had 20 years ago.

I share a bit of my personal experience with the long road to identifying the root cause of my hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s.

And finally, I would be missing a huge opportunity if I didn’t share with you some simple, actionable lifestyle adjustments that can help address the most common underlying root causes of thyroid issues.

*I am not a doctor. This is me speaking from my own experience and as an advocate for women’s health.

IN THIS EPISODE, I COVER:

• What TSH is and the generally accepted normal lab range for TSH
• The symptoms I was experiencing, even with a “normal” TSH range showing up on my labs
• How the functional world of medicine actually cares what the optimal range is for TSH.
• The second set of labs that you really want – Free T3, Free T4 and reverse T3.
• My experience with finally getting to the root of my problem – only to have to move to a new state and face new doctors who refused to accept the lab results that has changed my life.
• In Europe, running a full thyroid panel has been the standard of care for years
• The common lifestyle factors that can lead to dysfunction in thyroid conversion.
• The importance of getting your antibodies looked at (both TPO and TGB antibodies) to determine if your thyroid issue is an autoimmune condition.
• How to get a full panel from Paloma Health – trailblazers in the thyroid world – ’ $99 test kit
• The importance of kicking the endocrine disruptors out of your home

What is a Full Thyroid Panel?

TSH is the one thing you’re getting tested for. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) isn’t actually a thyroid hormone at all. It’s released by your pituitary gland and it’s your brain’s way of telling your thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone.

So they’re testing for a thyroid problem with a hormone that’s not even a thyroid hormone. Make it make sense.

The generally accepted TSH normal lab range for conventional medicine is between 0.5 and 5. However, in the functional world of medicine, they like to see an optimal range of 1 and 2.5. Anything outside of that would indicate that a full thyroid panel is needed to see what’s going on.

A Full Thyroid Panel Consists of…

• TSH – Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
• Free T4 – largely inactive hormone produced by your thyroid gland when it binds with iodine
• Free T3 – produced by thyroid and by converting T4 into T3 (happens in the gut and liver)
• Reverse T3 – anti-thyroid hormone that acts to block your thyroid from working, created by T4
• TPO Antibodies –
• TGB Antibodies –

What Causes T4 to T3 Conversion Problems?

Reverse T3 is produced when the body needs to put on the breaks of T3 production. I didn’t have enough T3, but my body was producing reverse T3 anyway. Certain conditions can hijack your whole system and cause it to run haywire.

These are just a few examples, it’s not all inclusive:

• Dieting and calorie restriction
• Over exercising
• Inflammation in the body
• Lack of sleep
• Gut issues
• Stress from any cause
• Vitamin and mineral deficiency
• Endocrine disrupting chemicals

Advocate For Your Health

I made the mistake of continuing to visit the wrong doctors just because they were covered by my insurance. I wish I had sought out functional medicine experts to help me heal my thyroid, even though I would’ve had to pay out of pocket. The stress my body endured wasn’t worth the financial savings.

If you’re dealing with symptoms of an over- or under-active thyroid, advocate for your health and seek the care you need, starting with a fully thyroid panel to truly understand what’s going on in your body.

Related Episodes:

Episode 1: What the F*ck Are Endocrine Disruptors, Anyway?

Episode 15: Heal Hashimoto’s Holistically with Dr. Hannah Lindsey

Episode 36: Can Red Light Therapy Actually Heal Your Thyroid?

Episode 135: Healing My Hashimoto’s and My Relationship to Food with Claire Cook

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS WEEK’S EPISODE, PLEASE:

• Leave a positive review or rating wherever you listen
• Shop toxin-free products on my Toxin Free Shopping Guide
• Download your free Tossing the Toxins Guide
• Post a screenshot, what you loved, and tag me on Instagram @wendy_toxinfreeish
• Want to ask me a question to get answered on the podcast? Leave me a voice message here.
• Receive weekly Toxin Free Tips & Sips right to your inbox by joining my email list here.