I often hear the same scenario especially from women. It usually after the 2nd or 3rd pregnancy, women will state that they have decreased energy and have never regained their prepregnancy energy level. They go to their physician or healthcare provider and explain their concern. TSH, T4, T3 are then ordered which result in normal ranges. After a period time the patient returns restating their concern of low energy level, hair loss, weight gain, poor sleep quality, anxiety/irritability/mood swings, brain fog, loss of libido, loss of motivation, painful intercourse, loss of muscle mass, elevated cholesterol, hot flashes/night sweats. TSH, T4, T3 are then ordered which return normal. This process usually repeats itself 2-3 times. After the third visit the healthcare provider often offers an antidepressant, which only increases the frustration of the patient.
I hear this scenario multiple times as women share the same story when they enter my office. Due to the many variables in our world which include approximately 80,000 toxins we are in contact with. The insult on the thyroid takes its toll usually after the second or third pregnancy.
My protocol is a panel of functional Thyroid tests. Which often reveals Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. There are estimates of 60 to 90% of the adult US female population suffering from Hashimoto’s. With appropriate lifestyle interventions and the addition of natural hormones, women return almost spontaneously to their normal energy level, ability to lose weight, mood restoration, return of libido.
Just a few common well-documented causes that decrease thyroid production:
Beta-blockers, i.e. metoprolol
Serevent
Mountain Dew
Birth control
The next phase is organic acid testing to analyze where deficits may lie in the biochemical processes of the person. I utilize the Kalish Method to analyze the biochemistry of the patient.
Below is a list of symptoms I have female patients fill out at their first appointment.