Some Simple Q & A’s
What tests are you using for thyroid assessment?
Consider as a minimum using TSH, free T4, free T3 perhaps with total T3, reverse T3, and antithyroid antibodies.
What are the objective indications (per lab) for the use of thyroid hormone supplementation/replacement?
Elevated TSH, low T4 or T3, antithyroid antibodies
Can a patient have a normal TSH, free T4 and total T3 yet still have laboratory indication for the use of thyroid hormone?
Yes, they might have elevated reverse T3, and/or a compelling clinical picture.
What are the differential indications for T4 versus T4+T3 versus T3 alone?
Patient/doctor preference; fragile patients tolerate T4 better and the half-life is about 7 days in contrast to T3’s half life of about 1 day. T3 is the only treatment that works for functional hypothyroidism defined in this instance as elevated rT3.
What nutrients have been shown to promote proper thyroid function?
Iodine/Iodide, tyrosine, zinc and selenium.
What supplemental nutrients have been shown to impair thyroid hormone metabolism?
L-carnitine