If you are a woman you or one of the eight women around you will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime and as a woman you are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems.¹

Undiagnosed thyroid imbalances may be one of the most common health conditions that people experience but may not know and have when they walk into their doctor’s office. In fact, 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are not even aware of their condition.1 Thyroid disease can begin at any time and most often slow and steady changes and symptoms occur years before a diagnosis or support is offered.

• TRH – The hypothalamus stimulates the release of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).
• TSH – The TRH stimulates the pituitary to produce thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
• The TSH, in turn, stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones until the levels in the blood return to normal. The thyroid hormones then exert a negative feedback loop to “speak to” the hypothalamus as well as the anterior pituitary to turn off the production of more TRH or TSH respectively until more is needed.

The thyroid produces two clinically relevant hormones:

• Thyroxine (T4) – Inactive thyroid hormone
• Triiodothyronine (T3) – Active thyroid hormone, travels through your bloodstream converting oxygen and calories into energy for the body to use.

In addition, the thyroid produces:

• Diiodothyronine (T2) and Iodothyronine (T1) – These are both at this time believed to play minor roles in the thyroid and rest of the body, primarily serving as precursors to and byproducts of T4/T3 formation.

When all is optimal, you will make what you need and have the optimal levels of T4, T3, T2, and T1. If your T3 is inadequate, either by reduced production or lack of conversion of T4 to T3, your whole body will be impacted.

Hormone calcitonin is produced from the parathyroid glands that are four tiny glands located behind and at the lower edge of the thyroid or embedded within its substance. Calcitonin is a thyroid hormone, along with parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates calcium, which can also be low with hypothyroidism.

The thyroid hormones influence the whole body including the following:

1. Energy – they increase the mitochondrial (energy-producing warehouses) size & number to increase the rate of ATP production.
2. Body Temperature – they increase your body heat by activation of sodium and potassium (via Na, K-ATPase activation) which uses energy and increases the amount of heat produced in the body.
3. Growth – promotes growth and development of the brain of a fetus during pregnancy and for the first years after birth.
4. Metabolism – of carbs (increasing insulin), fats (including reduction of cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) and thus hypothyroid function increases cholesterol & TG as well as causes excess fat to be deposited in the liver) and protein.
5. Weight – varying thyroid hormone levels can cause metabolism to increase 60-100% above normal or decrease 30-50% below normal. Note the thyroid hormones also can increase appetite.
6. Heart Health – increases blood flow (vasodilation) due to increased oxygen use and heart rate.
7. Digestion – increased appetite, digestive juices, and motility. The hypothyroid function can lead to constipation while hyperthyroid function can lead to diarrhea.
8. Brain Function
9. Muscular Activity – increased. Hyperthyroid function weakens muscles due to the breakdown of protein. In addition, a fine tremor may be present with hyperthyroid states.
10. Sleep – Hyperthyroid activity leads to insomnia even though one is tired as the thyroid hormones are excitatory in nature. Hypothyroid activity leads to excess sleep.
11. Hormones – Hypothyroid function leads to reduced libido, in women with frequent & excessive periods, irregular periods, or lack of periods (amenorrhea). Hyperthyroid function leads to impotence in men and women often experience reduce or absent periods.
12. Milk Production – in pregnant women, thyroid hormone is also involved in the production of prolactin, a hormone responsible for milk production.

It is vital to have optimal thyroid function as poor thyroid function has not only been linked to the symptoms as listed above but also has been linked to a wide variety of serious health conditions including fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), infertility, autoimmune diseases, and thyroid cancer.^2,3

Common times that thyroid conditions develop are times after stress such as having a baby, chronic lack of sleep, perimenopause or menopause. Stress stimulates the adrenal gland to produce your fight or flight hormones epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol. With infrequent or shorter periods of stress the body can recover with rest. However long periods of chronic stress will deplete or weaken the adrenals. In order to help the body restore health, the thyroid steps in as the backup organ to support the adrenals. The thyroid thus slows everything down making you feel tired to promote you to rest so that you can heal.  Other causes of thyroid imbalance but not limited to may include nutritional deficiencies, environmental toxins, heavy metals, and genetics. To book an appointment click here.

No, you do not need a referral to have these tests done. Simply book an appointment.

The symptoms and conditions associated with thyroid imbalances may include:

Hypothyroidism Symptoms:

• Chronic Infections
• Cold intolerance & Cold extremities
• Concentration & memory poor
• Constipation
• Dry hair, skin & nails
• Excess Sleep (12-14 hrs/day)
• Fatigue
• Hair loss or thinning (all over & outer edges of eyebrows)
• High cholesterol
• Hoarse voice
• Lack of alertness
• Muscle weakness and discomfort
• Muscular weakness
• Puffy face & lips
• Sleep apnea
• Slow movements, speech & heart rate
• Weight gain all over & difficulties losing

Hyperthyroid Symptoms:

• Bulging Eyes (Exopthalmosis)
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue with Insomnia
• Increased Sweating
• Intolerance to Heat
• Mild to Extreme Weight Loss
• Muscle Weakness
• Nervous or Anxious
• Racing Heart
• Thin Brittle Hair
• Tremor of Hands

The principal risks of thyroid imbalances include:

• Genetic Link
• Stress (acute, chronic, or PTSD)
• Poor Diet or Food Reactions– standard American diet, which is low in fibre,  high in sugar, saturated fats and inflammatory lectins
• Heavy Metals
• Lack of Nutrients – iodine is needed to form thyroid hormones; selenium is required for the conversion of inactive T4 to active T3
• Digestive Imbalance – Leaky Bowel which can contribute to autoimmune risk
• Inflammation or Infection

Your Naturopath or Nurse Practitioner will help assess which test is right for you, including an analysis of the most cost-efficient path of testing. We recommend a New Patient Visit with one of our Naturopathic Doctors for the most comprehensive approach to your health or a Pre-Lab Visit for a quick snapshot prior to lab testing as there are many tests available.  Lab testing alone is a one-dimensional picture of your health. The expertise of a health professional is required to create a three-dimensional picture for proper selection, and interpretation of lab testing. To complete your care we recommend booking your Post-Lab consult 2 weeks after testing to review your results and receive your tailored health plan. Book an appointment

Your medical doctor focuses on tests covered under OHIP. The tests offered here include tests that are not commonly offered or only partially offered at medical doctor’s offices in Ontario. In addition, an in-depth review of your lifestyle, health and other aspects of what defines your optimal levels are taken into consideration.

Third-party insurance companies may cover all or a portion of your consultations. Most of other integrative testing is not currently covered by private insurance companies. Please check with your individual provider for details and how to submit claims.

Your Revivelife clinician will review all findings and create a personalized plan for you based on what the root causes are that are linked to any imbalances. The Revivelife approach may include the following therapies: fitness, nutrition (foods rich in iodine, selenium, zinc and vitamin A, supplements and or IV therapy), food sensitivities, hormone balancing both naturally, with desiccated thyroid or thyroid hormone replacement, targeted supplements, acupuncture and or stress management. Targeted therapy for hypothyroid may include guggulsterone (the active component in guggul extract from the Mukul myrrh tree) that supports thyroid function by increasing iodine update, T3 resin uptake, protein-bound iodine, and free T4 levels in thyroid tissue.⁴

We recommend a New Patient Visit for the most comprehensive approach to your health or a Pre-Lab Visit for a quick snapshot before lab testing and a Post-Lab consult to review your results and receive your tailored health plan. 

To book an appointment Click Here!

1. The American Thyroid Association, http://www.thyroid.org/media-main/about-hypothyroidism/, Retrieved Oct. 23, 2016
2. com April 18, 2014
3. Reuters April 21, 2015
4. Singh AK, Prasad GC, Tripathi SN. In vitro studies on the thermogenic effect of Commiphora Mukul (Guggulu). The ancient science of life. Jul1982;2(1):23-28