Unfortunately, one in five women are affected by thyroid dysfunction, and half of these women are undiagnosed. To verify a possible thyroid condition, request a complete set of thyroid tests beyond just the standard thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test. Additional tests include thyroid antibodies for autoimmune reactions, such as TPO, TBG, TSI and TBII. Further testing would include Free T4, Free T3, Free Thyroxin Index, T7 and Reverse T3 (rT3). 

The standard pharmaceutical approach for hypothyroidism is a synthetic hormone called Levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid and Unithroid) that elevates T4 production, but it can cause depression and weight gain due to the inability to achieve optimal levels, per Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center Report and The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Optional pharmaceuticals include Armour Thyroid or NP derived from animal thyroids that contain both T3 and T4 and are often preferred by functional medicine doctors and naturopaths. 

There are myriad causes, such a vitamin or mineral deficiency and also gluten sensitivity (celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity). Gluten may provoke an autoimmune response, and a gluten-free diet for six weeks—while monitoring for signs of non-celiac sensitivity such as headache, bloating, gas or brain fog—may be very helpful. A nonaggressive means of managing thyroid dysfunction with complete objective testing will heal the root cause.