The primary output of your thyroid is T4, which is a storage form of the hormone. Once TSH signals your thyroid to ramp up hormone production, it produces several different types of thyroid hormone. One example of this includes subclinical hypothyroidism.2 If you still have symptoms yet fall within the "normal" range for thyroid test results, you may still have thyroid dysfunction. Hone-affiliated medical practices are independently owned and operated by licensed physicians who provide services using the Hone telehealth platform. Hone is an online clinic that helps men and women manage their health. Learn what it takes to boost energy, maintain strength, and stay healthy longer—delivered to your inbox every Monday. He estimates that low testosterone overlaps with a thyroid imbalance in about 10 percent of his patients, who tend to be over 50. Poor muscle growth is more likely a sign of low testosterone than low thyroid, says Londono. Several factors may lead to low testosterone (typically anything below 300 ng/dL total testosterone), such as aging, genetics, and a wide range of health conditions. Diagnosis of androgen imbalance is conducted by measuring free and total testosterone, DHEA-S, and SHBG. There is a higher prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disorders among individuals living near chemical plants or exposed to organochlorine pesticides, aluminum, mercury, and vanadium (4). Research currently points towards several environmental factors and endocrine disruptors that may contribute to thyroid autoimmunity. Women with thyroid-androgen imbalance may have an increased risk of other endocrine issues such as PCOS. TRH signals the pituitary to release TSH, which then signals the body to produce mainly T4 and a small amount of T3. Please see a physician before making any medical or lifestyle changes. Dr. Amy Myers offers unique lifestyle tips for thyroid support in women, including nutrient and supplementation guidance. If symptoms persist, a full thyroid panel and a careful review of your TSH and other lab results, alongside your current or potential medication needs, can provide answers. Early signs of a struggling thyroid gland can include fatigue, unexplained weight gain, dry skin, hair thinning, constipation, and sensitivity to cold. In functional medicine, we look beyond the standard lab range to assess how the thyroid gland is truly functioning. This daily multivitamin is a key star in the Hashimoto’s Support Bundle that is jam-packed with micronutrients in the forms your body wants and the amounts your thyroid needs. Hypothyroidism typically requires lifelong thyroid hormone replacement. And if broader hormone imbalance conditions are part of what you are navigating, knowing the full hormonal picture gives you and your provider far more to work with. They are symptoms, and in a significant proportion of adults, they have a diagnosable, treatable hormonal explanation worth pursuing.
