Why isn't my thyroid medication making me feel better?

Thyroid replacement medication is the first and often only port of call for patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The issue with this is, from a Naturopathic standpoint, you are shooting the messenger!

You need to ask yourself: why is this happening in the first place. Why is my thyroid not functioning how it should be?

Do you have an auto immune condition, resulting in damage to the thyroid gland over time? Ask your health care provider if thyroid antibodies have been checked out.

Do you have a nutritional deficiency like Iodine, Iron, Selenium or Zinc?

Maybe stress mediated cortisol imbalances are at play? Or a gut infection? Hormonal Imbalances (like excess oestrogen or androgens)? Or even poor blood glucose metabolism?

All of the issues above may suppress thyroid function. Giving thyroid replacement therapy is not fixing the problem, and in some situations can even make you feel worse, even though your lab results show improvements or “normal” levels.

Hypothyroidism is not a one size fits all diagnosis, nor should it be a one size fits all treatment. If your car engine check light lights up, do you remove the light (aka medicate the symptom) or investigate the engine?

Find your individual why, treat the driving factors and watch your health flourish.

Want to learn more? Sign up for the thyroid course wait list here!