Comprehensive Thyroid Care & Optimization

Thyroid Health: The Missing Link to Your Energy, Mood, and Metabolism

Do you feel sluggish, struggle with weight, or experience mood swings?
Your thyroid could be the culprit. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, but it plays a huge role in regulating metabolism, energy levels, and even your mood. Optimizing thyroid health can help you feel more energetic, lose stubborn weight, and balance your emotions.

However, most doctors only test one thing: TSH.
This single test isn’t enough to give you the full picture of thyroid health. At Seaside Med, we believe in comprehensive testing to uncover what's really happening with your thyroid. By evaluating TSH, Free T4, Free T3, and antibodies when necessary, we provide a clearer, more accurate understanding of your thyroid function.

What Are Thyroid Hormones and Why Are They Important?

Your thyroid produces hormones that control how your body uses energy, makes proteins, and keeps organs functioning properly.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): This is the most commonly tested hormone, but it only tells you if your thyroid is working in general. It doesn’t give a full picture of thyroid health.

  • Free T4: The main hormone produced by your thyroid, T4 is converted into its active form, T3. It’s a good indicator of how much thyroid hormone is available.

  • Free T3: This is the most active thyroid hormone, directly influencing metabolism, energy levels, and your overall sense of well-being.

  • Thyroid Antibodies: When there are autoimmune issues like Hashimoto's thyroiditis, antibodies can attack your thyroid, impairing its function. These tests are critical for diagnosing autoimmune thyroid diseases.

By looking at the full panel, we can give you a more detailed picture and a plan to get your thyroid back to optimal levels.

Common Symptoms of Low (hypo) Thyroid

If you’ve been feeling off but haven’t been able to figure out why, it may be due to an undiagnosed thyroid issue. Common symptoms include:

  • Fatigue: Feeling tired even after a full night’s rest? Low thyroid hormone levels can cause this.

  • Unexplained Weight Changes: Both weight gain and difficulty losing weight can be linked to thyroid dysfunction.

  • Mood Swings: Irritability, anxiety, and depression can all be tied to thyroid imbalances.

  • Brain Fog: Difficulty concentrating and forgetfulness can also be a sign.

  • Cold Hands and Feet: Low thyroid function can affect blood circulation and body temperature regulation.

  • Hair Thinning and Dry Skin: These are common signs of hypothyroidism.

Why a Full Thyroid Panel Matters

Many providers stop at testing only your TSH levels, but that’s like getting a partial picture of your health. While TSH can indicate thyroid function, it doesn’t give you the complete story. Here's why you should request a comprehensive panel:

  • TSH alone doesn’t reflect tissue-level thyroid activity: You might have normal TSH levels but still suffer from hypothyroid symptoms due to low Free T4 or Free T3.

  • Antibodies matter: If you have autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves' disease, your antibodies can tell us more about how your immune system is affecting your thyroid.

  • Your thyroid could be functioning differently: You could have normal TSH but low T3 or high T4, indicating a need for thyroid optimization or a different approach to treatment.

We take the time to measure all the essential thyroid markers so we can understand your unique needs and help you feel better, faster.

Common Thyroid Conditions You Should Know About

Thyroid conditions are more common than most people realize, and many can go undiagnosed for years. Some of the most prevalent thyroid conditions include:

  • Hypothyroidism (Under-active Thyroid): Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, and depression. It’s often caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition.

  • Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid): Symptoms include weight loss, anxiety, and rapid heartbeat. This is often linked to Graves' disease.

  • Thyroid Nodules: These growths on the thyroid can lead to hormone imbalances.

  • Thyroid Cancer: Although rare, it’s important to screen for thyroid issues, especially if you have a family history.

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you're unsure about your thyroid health or how testing works, don’t hesitate to reach out. We're here to answer your questions and guide you on the path to better health.