Thyroid dysfunction

Understanding your thyroid results

Reece goes through your thyroid results with you and explains, in plain words, what each one measures. If you see a GP or endocrinologist, he works alongside them.

If some of the symptoms below sound familiar, see your GP for a thyroid test first. Reece can then go through your results with you.

Symptoms your GP may check your thyroid for

• Persistent fatigue despite adequate sleep
• Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Feeling the cold when others are comfortable
• Brain fog, poor memory, and slow thinking
• Hair loss or thinning, including eyebrow loss
• Dry skin and 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

Common thyroid conditions

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (autoimmune hypothyroidism)

Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries. [1] It's common, affecting around 7.5% of adults worldwide, and women about four times as often as men. [2] The immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid, and over time this can reduce how much thyroid hormone it makes. [3] Many people with Hashimoto's go undiagnosed for years because thyroid antibody tests aren't routinely part of standard panels. [1] If you live with Hashimoto's, Reece can support you with tiredness and general wellbeing, alongside your GP or endocrinologist.

Subclinical hypothyroidism

TSH is slightly raised but T4 stays within the laboratory reference range. People in this group can still have significant symptoms. If that's you, Reece can go through your results with you and talk about how you're feeling, alongside your GP.

The integrative approach to treatment

Functional medicine investigation

Reece orders full thyroid panels, including TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, and TPO and TgAb antibodies. He also looks at the nutrients involved in making thyroid hormone (selenium, iodine, zinc, iron and vitamin D), as well as stress, blood sugar and gut health.

Classical Chinese medicine

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

Nutritional and lifestyle support

Thyroid function is sensitive to diet and lifestyle. Iodine, selenium, zinc and iron are needed to make and convert thyroid hormone, and chronic stress can reduce T3 conversion. Reece works through all of these with you.

Working alongside your GP or endocrinologist

Reece's approach is designed to work alongside your existing medical care. If you take thyroid medication, it stays in place, and Reece doesn't change or stop medicines your doctor has prescribed. He looks at nutrition, gut health, stress and the symptoms that can carry on even when your levels are well managed.