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One of my biggest goals as a thyroid health coach is to empower women to advocate for their own health.
That’s why I share these blog posts, why I make weekly
YouTube videos, and why I share my personal story on
Instagram.
With my Sexy Thyroid Solution program, my goal is to only work with you for about 4-6 months (depending on what you need), and have you graduate with the resources and tools you need to maintain great thyroid health.
Part of this journey is recognizing when and why you might need medical intervention from a conventional doctor, and what to talk to them about to ensure they are treating the root cause, and not just masking your symptoms.
So here are four questions to ask your doctor about your thyroid and thyroid health.
This should always be the first question asked. Many doctors only test for TSH, which does not show the full picture of how the thyroid is functioning. Instead, you should ask for a full thyroid panel that measures TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3 and thyroid antibodies. This test will show exactly how the thyroid is functioning and what type of medication (if any) you will need.
2. What other medication options are there besides a T4-only medication?
Synthroid is probably one of the most common medications prescribed for thyroid conditions. It is a T4-only medication and is often prescribed when a TSH test has been completed and shown that T4 is low.
However,
it’s not the only option. You should also be informed about T3-only medication, and T3 + T4 combination and compound medications. I’m on a compound medication that gives me the specific ratio of T3 to T4 that my body needs. If you’ve been prescribed thyroid medication and
don’t feel like it’s working, it could be that you’ve been prescribed the wrong type based on your actual needs.
3. What are my treatment options?
While medication is necessary for many people with hypothyroidism (myself included!), it’s not the only treatment option. There are other diet, lifestyle and environmental changes that you can make to support a healthy thyroid, but you may need to push your doctor on this information.
4. What drugs or foods can interact with my medication?
Like with any medication, thyroid medications can be negatively impacted by foods. Certain medications can only be taken on an empty stomach, some supplements can hinder the absorption of the medication, and things like coffee (which we love) and fiber (which we need) can be bad if taken too closely with the medication. Your doctor needs to be informing you of all of these potential interactions so that you can ensure your thyroid medication has the best chance of success.
Starting out on a new health journey can be scary, but know that you are not alone! I have been in your shoes, struggling with healthcare providers and being forced to take my health into my own hands. That’s why I want to help you, too.
I hope this post has given you some great insight into important conversations to have with your doctor as you go on your journey to a healthy thyroid.
Phone: (314) 226-3137