Thyroid Optimization
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of the neck. It plays a key role in regulating metabolism and maintaining the body’s overall energy balance through the production of thyroid hormones.
The thyroid produces two primary hormones:
Triiodothyronine (T3): The active form of thyroid hormone, which regulates the body’s metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, and many other processes.
Thyroxine (T4): This is the primary hormone released by the thyroid. It is largely inactive but can be converted into the active form (T3) in various tissues of the body.
How Thyroid Replacement Works
Step 1
Schedule A Thyroid Function consultation.
Laboratory studies will be ordered before your initial visit.
- TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): High TSH often suggests hypothyroidism, while low TSH can suggest hyperthyroidism.
- Free T4 (Thyroxine) and Free T3 (Triiodothyronine): Levels of these hormones help confirm the diagnosis.
- Anti-TPO – Antibodies: Tests for antibodies help identify autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease.
Step 2
During your initial consultation, if you are a suitable candidate for Thyroid Optimization Therapy, you will receive your personalized medication plan. You will be prescribed Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT), which contains both thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), the two primary hormones that the thyroid gland normally produces. The ratios of T4 and T3 in naturally desiccated Thyroid are similar to what is produced by the human thyroid.
Common Brands of NDT:
- Armour Thyroid
- Nature-Throid
- Westhroid
Step 3
Follow-up labs will be drawn 8 weeks after Thyroid Optimization Therapy is initiated.