Thyroid Replacement Therapy
“We’re looking for our best life and we’re looking to feel the best that we possibly can.”
Women are more likely than men develop thyroid problems, probably because hormonal imbalance can work as a trigger. The amount of estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body is a delicate balance that can be disrupted during times of stress, or during pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause.
COST OF THYROID REPLACEMENT THERAPY:
Initial Visit: $99
Includes Labs, Lab Review and Consultation.
Monthly Subscriptions: $75
Prescription and SymptomsCheck-Up.
Other Costs: Initial follow-up labs 4 weeks after initial treatment: $35.
Labs every 6 months during Thyroid Replacement Therapy: $35.
Thyroid hormone deficiency is often overlooked, even with traditional lab testing, and can go unnoticed for years. We use advanced thyroid testing to successfully diagnose both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. During our therapy, thyroid hormone levels are closely monitored to minimize symptoms and optimize treatment.
The majority of those with low thyroid issues suffer from:
- Fatigue and decreased energy
- Weight gain
- Cold intolerance
- Muscle cramps, pain, and stiffness
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Depression
- Mental slowing
- Coarse hair and skin
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the thyroid?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits low on either side of the neck. It has two side lobes that are connected by a bridge in the middle. The thyroid produces hormones that regulates the body’s metabolism and how it consumes energy, how it reacts to other hormones, and its production of proteins such as those found in hair and nails. The thyroid is very important because it impacts energy levels, skin, hair, body temperature, weight regulation, and many other factors that affect one’s quality of life.
There are two main thyroid hormones, T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). These hormones together help the body to produce and regulate the hormones dopamine and adrenaline (also called epinephrine). T4 is inactive and is stored in the body until it needs T3, the active thyroid hormone. When needed, the proper amount of T3 and T4 will be converted for a healthy, functioning metabolism. When the thyroid doesn’t produce enough T4, or when the body doesn’t properly convert T4 to T3, hypothyroidism symptoms will begin to present themselves.
HYPOTHYROIDISM
The most common type of thyroid dysfunction is due to a condition called hypothyroidism.
This is when the thyroid gland either doesn’t produce enough T3, or the body isn’t properly converting the hormone to its beneficial form of T3.
There are many factors that can cause hypothyroidism, including nutrient deficiencies (particularly iodine, zinc, and selenium), high estrogen, low vitamin D, low progesterone, and adrenal imbalance, which can result in high cortisol caused by excessive stress, toxic exposures, and poor diet.
Women are more likely than men develop thyroid problems, probably because hormonal imbalance can work as a trigger. The amount of estrogen and progesterone in a women’s body is a delicate balance that can be disrupted during times of stress, or during pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause.
Testing Thyroid Levels
What would happen if you told your current doctor that you feel like a walking thyroid disease commercial?
Your doctor would probably run a conventional thyroid test to determine your TSH levels.
But this test is often part of the problem, not the solution.
If your TSH levels fall within the “normal” range, your doctor will disregard any possibility of your symptoms stemming from a thyroid dysfunction.
TSH levels don’t tell the whole story! So begins the widespread mismanagement of the thyroid.
This is exactly why we test all of our Champion Health and Wellness patients to assess TSH, free T4, and free T3.
We never just look at one in isolation.
By taking the time to understand your full thyroid picture, we can understand how to optimize it.
After all, we have no interest in merely being “normal”, and neither do you.
Why Should You Get Your Thyroid Checked?
If you’re still here reading this, then you must recognize a connection between your thyroid function and your overall health or quality of life.
Only by having your thyroid levels checked can you confirm if you’re walking around with subclinical hypothyroidism.
Subclinical hypothyroidism refers to a subtle thyroid imbalance that many doctors miss in their rush to move to the next patient or next issue.
Both women and men with this condition feel very real symptoms but show “normal” thyroid hormone levels in conventional thyroid screenings.
These individuals — like you! — get lost in the “middle” between patients with overt thyroid disorders, forcing them to suffer without an official diagnosis or professional treatment.
If you have subclinical hypothyroidism, your doctor might tell you it’s all in your head or stick you on antidepressants for an easy solution.
All of this is exacerbated by the fact that most patients get less than ten minutes to visit with their primary doctors each year.
Regular doctors are under so much pressure to move quickly from patient to patient that they can’t stop to listen, carefully assess symptoms, and compare lab tests to uncover the truth.
Thyroid and Weight Gain
People with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) tend to have a very low basal metabolic rate, which causes weight gain or makes it difficult to losing weight.
Those with hypothyroidism can see weight gain even when calories are severely restricted due to the “metabolic burn” falling as calories are reduced. In order to repair your metabolism, understanding your entire health picture is critical, not just your thyroid.
Typically, most thyroid problems occur within the gland itself and aren’t apparent until a broader pattern of hormonal imbalance presents itself. This is why menopause, weight gain, and thyroid issues often appear together.
Unfortunately, thyroid imbalance can be the result of many other imbalances, including low iodine, high estrogen, deficiencies in Vitamin D, high cortisol, and low progesterone.
At Champion Health and Wellness Clinics, we consider all factors and help you adjust them into proper balance.
Without balance, it’s difficult to treat thyroid imbalance, even with medication.
How do bioidentical thyroids work in my body?
Bioidentical hormones like Armour Thyroid and Nature Thyroid are exactly the same as the thyroid hormones your body produces. They’re compounded in compound pharmacies using the exact molecules and ratios found in the body.
As soon as this natural thyroid replacement works its way into your system, it helps to optimize your active thyroid and rapidly eliminate unwanted symptoms.
Here at Champion Health and Wellness Clinics, we have hundreds of women and some men who have successfully optimized their thyroid activity using Armour Thyroid or Nature Thyroid.
What are my next steps?
First, find a provider who’s willing to listen! You need and deserve a doctor who does more than strictly check your TSH levels and send you home. Choose a doctor who will check all of the right lab levels and consider how you feel when creating your treatment plan! You’ll know you have found the right doctor when he encourages ongoing conversation about your progress, symptoms, and feedback.
Second, get your levels checked, specifically TSH, free T4, and free T3. These tests are simple: no fasting required! You can get them any time. In fact, you can go right now. Advocate for yourself and make sure your labs reflect TSH, free T4, and free T3. Once you have your results, begin a conversation with your doctor about their meaning and underlying trends.
The truth is, subclinical hypothyroidism is never obvious. It needs to be hunted. If your doctor is doing their job well, they’ll understand that hypothyroidism hides and must be found using a combination of holistic techniques.
Many doctors see 40 patients a day and don’t have time to “hunt”. Those aren’t the doctors you need. They only have time to put out major fires, so unless your thyroid is burning down your body, it’ll be overlooked.
The thyroid is such a complex topic that the conventional model of physician care doesn’t provide enough time to tackle its depths.
I hope this gives you a glimmer of hope and shows you that there is a real, tangible reason you feel as exhausted and defeated as you do. You have so much room to improve once you get aligned with a provider who is willing to have this conversation with you!
Take Action to Optimize Your Thyroid and Your Life!
You have two choices: allow your “normal” thyroid function to diminish your quality of life, or take action to optimize your natural thyroid right now.
It’s easy to take control of your thyroid and improve your health.
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