Thyroid Dysfunction

Why thyroid dysfunction is so frequently missed

The standard approach to thyroid assessment involves a single blood test — TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone. While TSH is a useful screening marker, it tells you very little about what is actually happening at the cellular level. Many people with significant thyroid dysfunction have TSH readings within the so-called "normal" range while experiencing a full constellation of symptoms that significantly impair their quality of life.

A comprehensive thyroid assessment includes free T3, free T4, reverse T3, thyroid antibodies (TPO and TgAb), and often additional metabolic and nutritional markers that either cause or perpetuate thyroid dysfunction. This is the standard of care that Dr Reece Yeo works to.

Symptoms commonly associated with thyroid dysfunction

• Persistent fatigue despite adequate sleep
• Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Cold intolerance — feeling cold when others are comfortable
• Brain fog, poor memory, and slow thinking
• Hair loss or thinning, including eyebrow loss
• Dry skin, brittle nails
• Constipation and sluggish digestion
• Elevated cholesterol
• Low mood and depression
• Heavy or irregular menstrual cycles
• Muscle weakness and joint pain
• Slow heart rate or palpitations

The most common thyroid conditions

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (autoimmune hypothyroidism)

Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries.[1] The immune system produces antibodies that attack thyroid tissue, progressively reducing thyroid output. Many people with Hashimoto's go undiagnosed for years because thyroid antibody testing is not routinely included in standard panels.[2] Addressing the autoimmune component — through gut health, inflammatory diet changes, and targeted nutritional support — is a core focus of long-term integrative management.

Subclinical hypothyroidism

TSH is mildly elevated but T4 remains within the laboratory reference range. Conventional medicine often adopts a "watch and wait" approach, but patients in this category frequently experience significant symptoms. From an integrative perspective, subclinical hypothyroidism warrants investigation and supportive treatment.

Thyroid conversion problems

Some people produce adequate T4 but convert it poorly to the active T3 form — often due to chronic stress, nutritional deficiencies (particularly selenium, iodine, and zinc), or gut dysfunction. This will not show on a TSH or T4 test alone. Free T3 and reverse T3 testing are essential to identify this pattern.

The integrative treatment approach

Functional medicine investigation

Dr Reece Yeo orders comprehensive thyroid panels including TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, and both TPO and TgAb antibodies. This is combined with assessment of nutrient cofactors (selenium, iodine, zinc, iron, vitamin D), adrenal function, blood sugar regulation, and gut permeability — all of which significantly influence thyroid function.

Classical Chinese medicine

In Chinese medicine, thyroid dysfunction typically involves patterns of Kidney Yang deficiency, Spleen Qi deficiency, and Phlegm-Damp accumulation. Classical herbal formulas and acupuncture are used to address the underlying constitutional pattern while supporting energy, metabolism, and immune regulation.

Nutritional and lifestyle support

Thyroid function is highly sensitive to dietary and lifestyle factors. Gluten and dairy can act as triggers in Hashimoto's for genetically susceptible individuals. Iodine, selenium, zinc, and iron are essential cofactors for thyroid hormone synthesis and conversion. Chronic stress suppresses T3 conversion. All of these are addressed systematically as part of Dr Reece Yeo's approach.

Working alongside your GP or endocrinologist

Dr Reece Yeo's approach to thyroid dysfunction is designed to be collaborative and complementary to your existing medical care. If medication is appropriate, it remains in place. The integrative approach addresses the factors that medication alone cannot — nutritional status, immune dysregulation, gut health, and the quality-of-life symptoms that often persist even on optimal thyroid replacement.