Thyroid Checkup Guide

When and How to Check Thyroid Function

Thyroid function is essential for many processes in the body. For this reason, recognizing any potential issues is crucial. Here are the main symptoms that should prompt you to consider checking your thyroid function:

• Hair loss

• Slowed metabolism and weight gain

• Low energy levels

• Depression

• Reduced appetite and constipation

• High cholesterol levels

• Muscle weakness

• Persistent cold feeling

• Infertility and Pregnancy Complications

It’s recommended to check your thyroid function at least once a year. It’s especially important to do so if you’ve recently given birth, have any autoimmune diseases, or have experienced periods of high stress, if you consume very few calories but still struggle to lose weight, if you constantly feel exhausted even in the morning, if you're experiencing prolonged hair loss, iron deficiency, high cholesterol, or if you’ve recently given birth.

Excess weight, stress, and suboptimal thyroid function often go hand in hand.

What Tests Are Included in Thyroid Function Checkups:

• TSH* (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)

• Free T3 (Triiodothyronine)

• Free T4 (Thyroxine)

• Antibodies to TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase)

• Antibodies to TG (Thyroglobulin)

*From a functional medicine perspective, for optimal health - not just normal health - your TSH level should be no higher than 2.5 mIU/L. A TSH level above 2.5 mIU/L is considered suboptimal.

Your doctor may also recommend additional blood tests or an ultrasound if deemed necessary.

Infertility and Pregnancy Complications

Thyroid problems can have significant implications for women's health, as they are often tied to hormonal fluctuations within the body. Thyroid dysfunction can contribute to infertility, making conception more difficult. During pregnancy, thyroid issues can impact both the mother's and baby's well-being, underlining the importance of monitoring thyroid function for a healthy pregnancy. After childbirth, hormonal changes can trigger postpartum depression, which is often linked to shifts in thyroid hormone levels. Women may also experience changes in weight, such as difficulty losing weight or unexplained weight gain, despite maintaining a normal diet and exercise routine.

Finally, thyroid problems can affect skin and hair health, leading to symptoms like hair loss, dry skin, and brittle nails. These issues highlight why it is essential for women, especially those planning pregnancy or who have recently given birth, to monitor their thyroid function regularly.

I have prepared a custom set of thyroid function indicators, which you can purchase from my Labshop.

This bundle includes:

TSH, free T4, free T3, Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), Thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb).