Why Your Thyroid Might Not Be “Normal”

Quick reminder that once you are logged into IN Health supplements as a PRACTIONER, you can click on the EDUCATION VIDEOS and get free CPD on a variety of topics:

And much more. 

Have you ever had patients complaining of being tired persistently? Achy? Putting on weight easily? Bilateral Carpal tunnel syndrome? 

And been convinced it was their thyroid, only to have them return with a “normal” result from the GP?

Well, remember in the medical world, they run on an average, and in blood testing they take a group and the top 2.5% and bottom 2.5% are ABNORMAL, with the middle 95% NORMAL. 

This is a very black and white or binary view of a result that lacks any nuance, especially if they are not looking at the clinical picture. 

In thyroid health, as production of T4/T3 goes down, the brain senses this and the pituitary asks for more thyroid via THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE (TSH). 

Thus, “high” TSH = low thyroid. 

However, this is quite an insensitive marker AND the standard ranges are very wide. 

Standard labs will use 4.5 mIU/L as upper range, and I have seen 5.5 on some reports. 

Free T4 is usually between 10-22 pmol/L and free T3 3.5-6.5 pmol/L. 

This is why we use FUNCTIONAL ranges at:     www.optimaltesting.co.uk

If TSH is over 3, fT4 under 12, fT3 under 4, I am interested, and will be looking at their symptoms very carefully. 

Note also using THYROID ANTIBODIES is a great way of looking for thyroid DISTRESS and a potentially evolving autoimmune underactive thyroid. 

Specifically, Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and thyroid peroxidase TPO (enzyme used to make thyroid hormone)

These can be present for years before a thyroid goes low enough to get the NHS to take an interest, if ever, given how wide the ranges are. 

Example, here note TSH is HIGH at 5 mIU/L (the brain is asking for more T4/T3), but the T4/T3 are low normal. Plus, thyroglobulin antibodies are elevated at 342 kIU/L. 

Here is the low-hanging fruit to pick clinically. 

The 4 if T4, is the number of IODINE molecules on a tyrosine. 

Thus, if IODINE is low, thyroid hormone output may be compromised to point of being suboptimal. If not so low, they need thyroxine. 

So, how common is that?

“Urinary iodine measurements indicative of mild iodine deficiency were present in 51%  of participants, moderate deficiency in 16%, and severe deficiency in 1%”

Couple low intake with competition at the binding sites from other halides, like bromine, chlorine, and fluorine, and we have a UK population that might be vulnerable to sub-optimal thyroid status. 

The best source of iodine in food is: 

  • Seafood
  • Seaweed
  • Eggs
  • Dairy (varies with farming methods)

And many patients benefit from supplemental iodine, which gives a bigger dose, enough to bump the other halides off the receptors and detox them. 

We deliver 13,000 mcg of liposomal iodine straight into the cell, using our patented technology. 

Some patients may benefit from a little extra TYROSINE as the central unit. 

Note tyrosine is also is unit to make dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline, so go easy on dose. 

Start 500-1000 mg daily, 1000 mg x2 daily max. 

Also note, the conversion of T4 to T3 is a SELENIUM dependent enzyme, called DEIODINASE. 

So, add a few brazil nuts daily and consider a 200 mcg dose of selenium in supplemental form. 

Note: the NHS do not test for thyroid antibodies, unless you are at a consultant level. 

But the good news is OPTIMAL TESTING do, and it is a finger prick test for only £65, TSH, fT4, fT3 and x2 antibodies, with THYROID 2. 

https://optimaltesting.co.uk/product/thyroid-2-advanced

But it gets even better. 

IRON is also a cofactor for T4 production, via the enzyme thyroid peroxidase (TPO), low iron (ferritin is the best marker) means potentially lower T4 production. 

Again, not likely to make it so low, the NHS will intervene, but sub-optimal that might make the patient feel tired. 

Good news is we can and that in plus B12, CRP (for inflammation) and vitamin D, plus everything in THYROID 2 for only £99 off a finger prick test. 

https://optimaltesting.co.uk/product/thyroid-3-advanced-plus

DOSING for iodine is 1 ml (13,000 mcg) daily, then for many  we titrate up to 4 ml (50,000 mcg) daily depending on how they respond. 

The back down to 1 ml for maintenance.