Treating Hypothyroidism: Why Synthroid May Not be Enough
If you suffer from fatigue, weight gain, constipation, depression, and/or cold intolerance, your doctor may have determined you have “hyperthyroidism.” Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone. This hormone plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, growth, and development in the body.
After doing some blood work, your physician’s approach may have been to prescribe a medication called Synthroid. This is a synthetic thyroid hormone replacement medication, and it is the most common treatment for hypothyroidism.
However, recent research has shown that using Synthroid alone may not be enough to resolve hypothyroidism for everyone. In this article thyroid expert Dr. Ruthie Harper, MD in Austin TX explains why Synthroid on its own may not be sufficient to resolve your hyperthyroidism symptoms – and what you can do about it!
Why Synthroid Alone May Not Resolve Hyperthyroidism
The thyroid gland produces both thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) hormones. One reason why Synthroid may not be enough to resolve hypothyroidism is that it only replaces one of the two primary thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland.
Synthroid only contains T4, which needs to be converted into T3 in the body to be effective. However, this conversion process may not work efficiently for some people, leading to a buildup of T4 and a deficiency of T3. This can result in persistent symptoms of hypothyroidism despite taking Synthroid.
Another reason why Synthroid may not be enough to resolve hypothyroidism is that it does not address the underlying causes of the condition. Hypothyroidism can be caused by various factors, such as autoimmune diseases, iodine deficiency, or inflammation of the thyroid gland.
While Synthroid can help manage the symptoms of hypothyroidism, it does not address the root cause of the problem. Therefore, if the underlying cause is not treated, the hypothyroidism may persist even with Synthroid.
An integrative medicine thyroid expert like Dr. Ruthie Harper, MD in Austin, TX can look at the “big picture” and get to the root cause of your condition – and not just put a “band-aid” like Synthroid on the symptoms.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of Synthroid may vary depending on the individual’s genetics, lifestyle, and overall health. For instance, certain genetic variations can affect the way the body processes thyroid hormones, making some people more resistant to thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
Additionally, factors such as stress, diet, and other medical conditions can also impact thyroid function and the body’s response to Synthroid. Therefore, some people may require additional therapies or lifestyle changes to manage their hypothyroidism effectively.
Again, an integrative medicine thyroid expert like Dr. Ruthie Harper, MD in Austin, TX will look at the patient as a whole and help put in place a comprehensive hypothyroidism management plan that includes both medications and helpful lifestyle adjustments.
What to Do When Synthroid Doesn’t Work
Fortunately, there are alternative treatment options available for people with hypothyroidism who are not responding adequately to Synthroid. One option is to use a combination of T4 and T3 hormone replacement therapy that can be customized to the patients need through a compounding pharmacy.
This approach involves taking a prescription that contains both T4 and T3 hormones to bypass the conversion process in the body. Some studies have shown that this combination therapy can improve symptoms and quality of life for people with hypothyroidism, especially those who are not responding to T4-only therapy.
Another option is to address the underlying cause of hypothyroidism directly. For example, if the hypothyroidism is caused by an autoimmune disease, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the focus of treatment may be on reducing inflammation and supporting the immune system. This can involve dietary changes, supplements, or medications that target inflammation and autoimmune responses.
Similarly, if the hypothyroidism is caused by iodine deficiency, increasing iodine intake through diet or supplements may help restore thyroid function.
In addition to medication and lifestyle changes, there are also natural remedies that thyroid expert Dr. Ruthie Harper, MD can prescribe to help manage hypothyroidism symptoms. These include herbs, such as ashwagandha and guggulu, which have been shown to support thyroid function and improve symptoms in some studies. Other natural remedies that may help include acupuncture, massage therapy, and stress-reducing techniques, such as meditation and yoga.
Hypothyroidism Doctor | Austin, TX
While Synthroid is an effective treatment option for many people with hypothyroidism, it may not be enough to resolve the condition for everyone. Integrative medicine doctor and thyroid expert Dr. Ruthie Harper, MD will work with each individual patient to determine the underlying cause of their thyroid problems and to ensure that the thyroid replacement medication is adequate.
Dr. Harper will also identify any underlying conditions, and put together a personalized treatment plan to resolve your symptoms and restore you to optimal health and an excellent quality of life.
