Frequently Asked Questions
Straightforward thyroid answers so you can feel like yourself again.
What is Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism?
When the body’s own immune system attacks your thyroid gland, causing it to become sluggish (hypothyroidism), damaged (nodules, goiter) or even cancerous.
How does adrenal stress cause thyroid issues?
When we are in fight/flight mode for a long period of time (chronic stress), cortisol inundates the body and reduces the communication of the brain telling the thyroid to release more T4 as well as blocks the conversion of that T4 (inactive thyroid hormone) into T3 (active thyroid hormone) => hypothyroidism.
How does diet affect the thyroid?
For some people, foods like gluten, dairy and soy (or even cruciferous vegetables if eaten in high doses) cause an antibody response in the body and at scale, this hyperreactive immune system causes an attack on the thyroid gland.
Which mineral deficiencies affect the thyroid?
If you are low in iodine, selenium, magnesium, zinc or iron, these can lead to a sluggish thyroid.
Can hormonal imbalances affect the thyroid?
Big swings in cortisol (due to high stress), in estrogen (due to birth control, pregnancy, menopause), high cortisol (stress), and pituitary dysfunction can disrupt thyroid function, often causing or worsening conditions like hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease.
Can viral infections affect the thyroid?
Subacute thyroiditis (De Quervain’s) is caused by respiratory viruses leading to a painful, inflamed thyroid. Viruses can trigger autoimmune conditions like Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism) and Hashimoto’s (hypothyroidism) where the immune system attacks the gland. Covid can also affect the thyroid, leading to thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s flare-ups.
Do You Not Feel Right But Your Doctor Says Your Lab Results Look Normal?
Reverse T3 (rT3) is an inactive thyroid hormone that acts as a "brake" on metabolism, often elevated in Hashimoto's when stress, inflammation, or T4-only medication prevents proper conversion of T4 into active T3. High rT3 relative to T3 (a ratio <10:1) can cause hypothyroid symptoms even if TSH is normal.
What is hyperthyroidism?
The thyroid becomes overactive (hyperthyroidism), producing too much thyroid hormone leading to things like Graves’s disease (autoimmune condition) or toxic goiter (overactive thyroid lumps).