The Personal Program for Thyroid Support

Frequently asked questions about thyroid health

Can I feel my thyroid if it’s enlarged? Where is it?

Your thyroid is a gland behind and wrapped around your Adam’s apple — it’s not the Adam’s apple itself. Your healthcare practitioner can show you specifically where to feel. Most women are able to manually feel if it is enlarged once they know where to look.

Will my thyroid hurt if it’s enlarged?

Generally, no, unless your thyroid is inflamed — a condition known as thyroiditis. In such cases it is not uncommon for that area to be tender to the touch.

My doctor tells me my test results are normal, but I still have a few thyroid symptoms. Should I worry?

You want to clarify with your practitioner what her or his idea of normal is. A range of normal is one thing, ideal is another. And there’s significant debate over what’s “normal.” At the clinic we like to see TSH blood level tests come back at or very near 2.0. If a woman is symptomatic, however, we will thoroughly evaluate her thyroid function regardless of initial test results. If you are experiencing thyroid symptoms, you may have a subtle imbalance that inhibits your thyroid hormones from being converted or utilized well by the peripheral systems in your body.

Other systems also play an important role in thyroid function — in particular the adrenals and your GI tract. It is important that your practitioner evaluate them to rule out any problems there.

What’s the connection between menopause and thyroid function?

Symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, and hypothyroidism are related and frequently overlap. Changes in sex hormone levels during the perimenopause transition and post menopause sometimes unmask an underlying thyroid problem or trigger one, and up to 20% of women in the US have been diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction in menopause. Many women remain undiagnosed, however, because their symptoms are simply attributed to their age or because the results of their thyroid tests are “within normal limits.” Fortunately, simple dietary, supplemental, and lifestyle measures can support healthier thyroid function, and often help resolve symptoms of subclinical thyroid imbalance.

To learn more read our article on hypothyroidism in menopause.

Can I combine bioidentical hormone therapy and thyroid medication?

Yes. But ordinarily, thyroid medication should be taken on its own, apart from any food, supplements, vitamins, or other medication. Most conventional thyroid replacement medications are T4 products (Synthroid, Levothroid, l-thyroxine), which should be taken twice a day, once in the morning and once at night — unless they keep you awake at night.

My mother had thyroid problems — will I?

Not necessarily. Autoimmune disorders such as thyroid problems have been noted to have some genetic associations. Some believe that emotional patterning may also contribute to familial associations, where a daughter may “inherit” her mother’s tendency toward passivity or assertion, behavior energetically connected to thyroid function. But just because your mom has a health condition doesn’t mean you will, too. Knowing your family predilections is a good thing, though, because the sooner you attend to your nutritional needs and address any underlying emotional issues, the better your opportunity to postpone or cancel out any vulnerability you may have. If you do have a family history of thyroid imbalance, remember to inform your healthcare practitioner so you can receive appropriate screening.

At what age should I get my thyroid checked?

You have probably already had your thyroid checked as part of routine physical exams and dental hygiene appointments (that’s one reason why they feel your neck). If you have no family history or symptoms, you can begin screening around age 30, then have a test every five years in follow-up. If you do have a family history you should begin screening blood tests at around age 20, or earlier if you have symptoms — we see women in their late-teens and early 20’s with thyroid conditions. You may have to ask for thyroid testing, though, because some PCP’s may not order it unless patients report or show symptoms. But the sooner you find an imbalance developing, the easier it will be to rectify without medication. Nutritional and lifestyle measures can be powerful healing agents at any age, so it’s never too soon or too late to take better care of yourself! To learn more, see our page on thyroid testing.

I exercise all the time and I’m not losing weight. Is it my thyroid?

It’s prudent to have your thyroid checked if you think you are retaining extra weight, despite attention to your diet and regular exercise. The thyroid manages our metabolism, so even a minor imbalance can result in a tendency to retain weight.

But many other factors could also be involved — especially if you have no other thyroid symptoms — including the quality of your nutrition, the health of your digestive tract, your detox capabilities, your stress levels which impact your adrenals, and your sex hormone balance. It is also possible that your metabolism has stalled as a result of over-dieting. To learn more, read our article about the connection between the thyroid and weight gain.

My practitioner is recommending radioactive isotope implementation (or surgery) for my overactive thyroid. What should I do?

If you have been diagnosed with Graves’ disease and your practitioner recommends radioactive isotope implementation, you may need such aggressive techniques to safely deal with an unstable, overactive thyroid. But if you have a borderline case of hyperthyroidism, it may be possible to find relief through less aggressive measures such as a combination of integrative techniques like acupuncture and nutrition therapy, under the care of a very attentive practitioner. What’s most important is that you are informed about all your options and you feel confident you are making the best choice for yourself. If you aren’t comfortable with the decision, you may want to request a second opinion.

I’ve had thyroid surgery and have had to go on Synthroid or Levothroid permanently. Is this going to undermine my health?

No. What’s more, you now have an opportunity to really check in with your health practices and make some very positive, far-reaching lifestyle changes. Optimal nutrition and the appropriate supplements can help support your whole system and ensure that your body converts your medication properly and that your hormones stay balanced.

I’ve been on Synthroid or Levothroid for five years; when can I go off?

We do not recommend you go off any medication without consulting with your practitioner. In some cases you may be able to reduce the amount of medication you are taking, or possibly go off, but it involves a set of complex variables —why and at what age you started thyroid replacement therapy, whether you have a chronic autoimmune condition, whether the thyroid gland tissues have been damaged, and whether you can be monitored over the next year to be sure your thyroid function remains stable.

You would need to find a good practitioner to work with, one who will pay close attention to your T3 and T4 levels as well as your individual nutritional and digestive issues. If a decision is made to wean off medication using optimal nutrition, dietary supplements, and other functional medicine techniques —you must be closely monitored by a professional.

So far, my thyroid is healthy. How can I keep it that way?

One of the simplest and most beneficial ways to support your thyroid function (and your overall health) is through quality nutrition that includes a daily medical-grade multivitamin–mineral. Regular testing and annual well-woman exams are also a great preventative.

Are there any foods or substances I should avoid to protect my thyroid?

No, as long as your foods are whole and natural — meaning free from artificial ingredients, preservatives, and additives and processed as little as possible — you can enjoy a cornucopia of food.

Are there foods I should add to my diet?

We often recommend seaweed products to women with sluggish thyroid or hypothyroidism because seaweed contains iodine. In small amounts, iodine is essential for healthy thyroid function. However, make sure to add these foods in moderation as too much iodine can actually harm the thyroid.

What about soy and thyroid health?

We sometimes advise women to limit soy products if they’re experiencing thyroid symptoms or conditions. There has been a lot of controversy about soy and the thyroid, but this relates principally to the setting of iodine deficiency, an autoimmune component, or a food sensitivity. If you are enjoying the benefits of soy for hormonal balance and appear to have normal thyroid function, you don’t need to worry that it will cause a thyroid condition. You may, however, wish to read more about this subject if you have a known or suspected thyroid condition.

To learn more about the effects of certain foods and nutrients on thyroid function, read our articles on goitrogens and thyroid health, and eating to support your thyroid.

Can I use your program if I am on Synthroid or Levothroid?

If you are currently taking Synthroid, Levothroid, or any other prescription medication to treat thyroid issues, we strongly recommend that you talk with your healthcare practitioner before considering the Personal Program for Thyroid Support and T-Balance, or any of our other programs.

Can I use your program if I am on other medications?

If you are currently taking any other medications, we strongly recommend that you talk with your healthcare practitioner before considering the Personal Program for Thyroid Support and T-Balance, or any of our other programs.

 

Last Modified Date: 11/14/2011