Addressing Thyroid Antibodies

AN IMPORTANT PREVENTATIVE TEST: THYROID ANTIBODIES

Chances are, you haven’t been tested for antibodies to your thyroid.
In conventional medical practice, thyroid health is evaluated using only one marker, the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).

Some providers will test the T4 hormone, and in certain cases T3.

T3 is the active hormone and it should be tested, even with a normal TSH.

What is missing is an assessment of the immune system’s interaction with the thyroid, by testing thyroid antibodies.

WHAT ARE THYROID ANTIBODIES?

Thyroid antibodies are proteins made by your immune system that can attack your thyroid gland. Your immune system creates antibodies that attack your own tissue, eventually disrupting thyroid function when left untreated.

The main thyroid antibodies are:

• TPO antibodies (thyroid peroxidase antibodies): Often elevated in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the most common cause of hypothyroidism.
• Tg antibodies (thyroglobulin antibodies): Can also indicate autoimmune thyroid disease.
• TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins): Usually associated with Graves’ disease, the leading cause of hyperthyroidism.

WHY TEST THYROID ANTIBODIES?

In conventional medical practice, antibody testing is rarely ordered unless your thyroid hormone levels are already abnormal. That means many people can go years without knowing that they have an autoimmune process attacking their thyroid.

• You can have positive thyroid antibodies for years before your thyroid hormone levels shift enough to diagnose hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
• If your antibodies are elevated, you can prevent future thyroid issues with lifestyle, nutritional, and functional medicine interventions that slow or even prevent progression.

HASHIMOTO'S & GRAVE'S DISEASES

Thyroid antibodies elevations are the result of immune system imbalance and chronic inflammation.

They can cause Auto-immune Hypothyroidism (low thyroid function or Hashimoto’s) or Hyperthyroidism (too high thyroid function or Grave’s).

Most Common Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Auto-Immune Hypothyroidism:

• Persistent fatigue, sluggishness, low energy
• brain fog, and mood changes
• Weight changes that don’t respond to diet or exercise
• Fertility struggles or irregular menstrual cycles
• Increased risk of other autoimmune diseases

• Sensitivity to cold (always feeling chilly)
• Weight gain despite no major diet changes
• Constipation
• Dry skin and thinning hair or hair loss (especially outer eyebrows)
• Puffy face, swollen neck, or enlarged thyroid (goiter)
• Hoarseness or difficulty swallowing (if thyroid is enlarged)
• Depression, low mood, brain fog, poor concentration
• Menstrual irregularities, heavy periods, fertility struggles
• Swelling in hands, feet, or around the eyes
• Slowed heart rate

Most Common Symptoms of Grave’s Auto-Immune Hypothyroidism:

• Unintentional weight loss despite normal or increased appetite
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• Heat intolerance, feeling overly warm or sweaty
• Anxiety, nervousness, irritability, restlessness
• Tremors in hands or fingers
• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
• Frequent bowel movements or diarrhea
• Muscle weakness (especially in arms and thighs)
• Bulging eyes (Graves’ ophthalmopathy)
• Enlarged thyroid (goiter)
• Thinning skin, brittle hair
• Lighter or absent menstrual periods

THE FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH

In functional medicine, we want to know:

• Why thyroid antibodies are elevated?
• Why is the immune system attacking the thyroid?
• What can be done to prevent thyroid disease?

The most common causes of high thyroid antibodies are:

• Nutrient deficiencies:
• The 5 essentials: Iodine, Selenium, Zinc, Vitamin D, and Magnesium
• Boron, Chromium, Copper, Manganese
• Gut health imbalances:
• Leaky gut and dysbiosis can trigger autoimmune responses.
• Decrease absorption can cause nutrient deficiencies
• Chronic stress:
• Cortisol imbalance affects thyroid hormone conversion.
• Thyroid function is HIGHLY affected by long term stress
• Toxins
• Environmental Toxins, pesticides, additives
• Heavy metals
• Alcohol excess

• Gluten sensitivity
• Chronic infections
  • Covid fatigue is often accompanied with low thyroid function
  • Lyme disease, EBV
• Some Medications
  • Antidepressants and mood stabilizers
  • Steroids
  • Some Heart and Cancer medications
  •  

By identifying and addressing these root causes, we can support thyroid health more holistically, not just manage symptoms.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Ask for antibody testing. TPO, Tg, and TSI antibody tests along with thyroid panel.
• Track your symptoms, not just labs. Energy, mood, hair, weight, and digestion
• Support your body with optimal nutrition:
  • take thyroid supplements with safe highly absorbable nutrients.
  • Eat lots of greens, superfoods, and fresh vegetables
  • One Brazil nut daily, a great source of Selenium
• Stress management. Should be first on the list!
  • Breathe deeply
  • Get enough quality sleep
  • Build Stress Resilience: supplements, hormonal balance, breathwork, yoga, exercise, & meditation 
• Meet with your Functional Medicine doctor at least once a year. 
• Monitor your Thyroid antibodies and thyroid function every 6 months.

CONCLUSION

If you’ve been struggling with unexplained fatigue, mood swings, or stubborn weight changes and your doctor says, “Your thyroid looks fine”, request for your Thyroid Antibodies to be tested.

Antibody testing may show a hidden autoimmune process that can be stopped at the source.

Your thyroid is a small but powerful organ. It regulates your metabolism, which rules every function in your body! Thyroid Health is crucial for your energy, clarity, and vitality.

To Your Best Vibrant Health,

Dr. Evee 

Evelyne Leone, DO, FAARFM, ABBARM