Thyroid 101
Is Your Thyroid Slowing You Down? Here's What You Need to Know
Let’s talk about one of the most important (but often overlooked) glands in your body: your thyroid.
This butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck plays a central role in metabolism, energy production, hormone balance, digestion, and even mood. When your thyroid isn’t functioning optimally, it can throw your entire system off balance.
Why Conventional Testing Often Falls Short
Most standard screenings only check TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)—but this doesn’t give us the full picture. TSH is just one part of a complex system, and it often lags behind the actual problem.
As a functional nutritionist, I like a TSH of 2.0 or under for optimal function. However, most conventional guidelines don’t flag thyroid issues until TSH is above 4.0 or even 5.0 mU/L. This means early signs of dysfunction are often missed.
To truly understand what’s going on, I recommend a full thyroid panel, including:
Free T3
Free T4
Reverse T3
Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies
Thyroglobulin antibodies
This broader testing approach helps identify early-stage hypothyroidism and screen for autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto’s, which is the most common cause of underactive thyroid.
Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid):
Fatigue, low energy
Constipation
Depression or brain fog
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Cold intolerance
Dry skin, thinning hair, brittle nails
Irregular periods
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid):
Anxiety, irritability
Rapid heartbeat
Heat intolerance
Weight loss despite normal or increased appetite
Insomnia
Hair loss
Excessive sweating
How Nutrition Supports Your Thyroid
Your thyroid doesn’t operate in isolation, it relies heavily on nutrient availability and overall metabolic balance.
Include healthy carbohydrates
While very low-carb diets have their place, staying too low-carb for too long can reduce your body's production of active T3 (your "get-up-and-go" thyroid hormone). Support your thyroid with steady energy from carbs like sweet potatoes, squash, fruit, and whole grains.
Key micronutrients for thyroid health:
Selenium – Found in Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and wild-caught fish. Supports T4 to T3 conversion and may help reduce thyroid antibodies.
Zinc – Found in pumpkin seeds, oysters, and grass-fed meats. Essential for TSH production and immune modulation.
Iron – Vital for T4 to T3 conversion and oxygen delivery to cells. Especially important if you’re dealing with fatigue.
Bottom Line
If you suspect your thyroid isn’t functioning well—or if you’ve been told your labs are “normal” but you still don’t feel like yourself—it may be time to dig deeper.
The right testing, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies can make a significant difference. You deserve to feel your best.
