The problem with optimal thyroid lab tests & what to use instead
Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): https://www.restartmed.com/start-here/
There is a focus among thyroid patients on optimal thyroid lab tests. These lab tests are said to be a representation of what a "healthy" level should be.
Unfortunately, I think more harm comes from focusing on these levels than good and I want to explain why.
Here are 5 reasons you don't want to focus solely on optimal thyroid lab tests:
#1. Obtaining optimal lab tests doesn't guarantee that you will feel better.
And this is really the main goal when you are being treated with thyroid medication. What you want is to feel better and relieve your symptoms of hypothyroidism but I am here to tell you that optimal lab tests do not guarantee this.
#2. If you push for optimal lab tests you may end up using the wrong medication.
It's not always a good idea to optimize both free T4 and free T3 levels. Doing so may cause you to unnecessarily add T4 to your regimen when you're doing fine on T3.
#3. You can manipulate your lab tests and results however you want.
Thyroid lab tests can easily be manipulated by changing how you take your thyroid medication.
#4. You may be focusing on the wrong metric.
Your clinical symptoms are often much more important than whatever your lab tests show.
#5. It's not always possible to actually obtain optimal free T4 and free T3 levels at the same time.
The more T3 you take the more it will drive down your T4. This just occurs due to thyroid physiology.
What should you use instead? I recommend focusing on the following metrics:
The TSH -
Total T3 -
Free T3/Reverse T3 ratio -
Clinical presentation and symptoms -
Other hormone imbalances -
Resting heart rate -
Blood pressure -
Metabolism and calorie burn -
Current dietary/calorie intake -
Energy levels -
Inflammation status -
Cholesterol levels -
How well you are converting T4 to T3 -
You can read the entire blog post here: https://www.restartmed.com/the-problem-with-optimal-thyroid-lab-tests-fact-vs-fiction/
Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- For thyroid hormone production and conversion: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-adrenal-reset-complex/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/t3-conversion-booster/
- For hair loss: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-hair-regrowth-complex/
- For weight management: https://www.restartmed.com/product/gut-bomb-350-billion/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/functional-fuel-complete/
- For gut health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/ultra-biotic-x100/
- For energy and adrenal health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-adrenal-reset-complex/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/power-b-complex/
I'm Dr. Westin Childs and I focus on thyroid health, hormone balance, and weight loss. I write about thyroid disorders, weight loss, insulin resistance, estrogen/progesterone balance on my blog. I truly believe that hormone balance is the key to managing your weight, your mood and your quality of life which is why I'm so passionate about it.
If you enjoyed this video please subscribe on youtube or leave a comment on my podcast here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-westin-childs-podcast-thyroid-weight-loss-hormones/id1141207688?mt=2
This video is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you have questions about your health please consult your physician or primary care provider. Dr. Westin Childs goes to great lengths to produce high-quality content but this is NOT a substitute for medical care.
There is a focus among thyroid patients on optimal thyroid lab tests. These lab tests are said to be a representation of what a "healthy" level should be.
Unfortunately, I think more harm comes from focusing on these levels than good and I want to explain why.
Here are 5 reasons you don't want to focus solely on optimal thyroid lab tests:
#1. Obtaining optimal lab tests doesn't guarantee that you will feel better.
And this is really the main goal when you are being treated with thyroid medication. What you want is to feel better and relieve your symptoms of hypothyroidism but I am here to tell you that optimal lab tests do not guarantee this.
#2. If you push for optimal lab tests you may end up using the wrong medication.
It's not always a good idea to optimize both free T4 and free T3 levels. Doing so may cause you to unnecessarily add T4 to your regimen when you're doing fine on T3.
#3. You can manipulate your lab tests and results however you want.
Thyroid lab tests can easily be manipulated by changing how you take your thyroid medication.
#4. You may be focusing on the wrong metric.
Your clinical symptoms are often much more important than whatever your lab tests show.
#5. It's not always possible to actually obtain optimal free T4 and free T3 levels at the same time.
The more T3 you take the more it will drive down your T4. This just occurs due to thyroid physiology.
What should you use instead? I recommend focusing on the following metrics:
The TSH -
Total T3 -
Free T3/Reverse T3 ratio -
Clinical presentation and symptoms -
Other hormone imbalances -
Resting heart rate -
Blood pressure -
Metabolism and calorie burn -
Current dietary/calorie intake -
Energy levels -
Inflammation status -
Cholesterol levels -
How well you are converting T4 to T3 -
You can read the entire blog post here: https://www.restartmed.com/the-problem-with-optimal-thyroid-lab-tests-fact-vs-fiction/
Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- For thyroid hormone production and conversion: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-adrenal-reset-complex/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/t3-conversion-booster/
- For hair loss: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-hair-regrowth-complex/
- For weight management: https://www.restartmed.com/product/gut-bomb-350-billion/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/functional-fuel-complete/
- For gut health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/ultra-biotic-x100/
- For energy and adrenal health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-adrenal-reset-complex/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/power-b-complex/
I'm Dr. Westin Childs and I focus on thyroid health, hormone balance, and weight loss. I write about thyroid disorders, weight loss, insulin resistance, estrogen/progesterone balance on my blog. I truly believe that hormone balance is the key to managing your weight, your mood and your quality of life which is why I'm so passionate about it.
If you enjoyed this video please subscribe on youtube or leave a comment on my podcast here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-westin-childs-podcast-thyroid-weight-loss-hormones/id1141207688?mt=2
This video is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you have questions about your health please consult your physician or primary care provider. Dr. Westin Childs goes to great lengths to produce high-quality content but this is NOT a substitute for medical care.
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