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Thyroid Dysfunction: Why “Normal Labs” Don’t Always Mean Optimal Health

  • Writer: Dr Bret Ellington DACM, CFMP, LAc
    Dr Bret Ellington DACM, CFMP, LAc
  • Mar 6
  • 1 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

The Problem With Standard Thyroid Testing


Many patients are told their thyroid is “normal” even while experiencing classic hypothyroid symptoms. Conventional testing often misses conversion issues, autoimmunity, and cellular thyroid resistance.

Thyroid dysfunction hyperthyroid hypothyroid functional medicine

Normal Labs Don't Always Mean Optimal

Western medicine has some of the greatest diagnostic tools. However, we only seem to treat (medicate/prescribe) when the levels get too high or too low. Until then, "you're normal." Well, normal labs don't always mean optimal. Typically, that's why you're getting the lab work done. You don't feel normal!!!


When you have multiple lab markers that are "normal," but close to abnormal, you start feeling pretty bad. That's why we look at the big picture and run multiple labs to get a full picture of what's going on in your body. Instead of addressing symptoms and treating them individually, we're looking at systems! Why? When a system isn't functioning properly it creates a symptom. Treating only the symptom doesn't fix the system, it mutes the symptom. Then a different symptom appears because you didn't treat the root cause, the underlying cause.......the system!


Symptoms of Suboptimal Thyroid Function


  • Fatigue

  • Cold intolerance

  • Hair thinning

  • Weight gain

  • Constipation

  • Low mood

  • Fertility challenges


Functional Medicine Thyroid Assessment


We assess TSH, free T3, free T4, TPO antibodies, TG antibodies, Reverse T3, cortisol interaction, nutrient cofactors (iodine, selenium, iron), and gut inflammation.


Telehealth Thyroid Care


Patients in Colorado and California can access comprehensive thyroid evaluation and personalized care remotely.


👉 Explore functional thyroid testing

 
 
 

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