Hypothyroidism is one of the most common conditions I treat in my practice. It’s estimated to impact 5-10% of the North American population, and impacts women at a much higher rate than men.
Hypothyroidism is diagnosed when TSH levels are high and T4 or T3(thyroid hormones) hormone levels are low. When hypothyroidism is identified, the standard of care is to be put on a medication called Synthroid. This is a synthetic T4 hormone that is safe and has very few side effects. In fact, many people are put on Synthroid and experience a complete resolution of their hypothyroid symptoms.
However, some individuals find that they still feel hypothyroid symptoms (fatigue, brain fog, dry skin, weight gain) while taking Synthroid. Typically, these patients continue increasing their dose until their T4 levels are quite high, but symptoms still persist. If you still feel hypothyroid on Synthroid, there’s another treatment option that could work for you.