A Functional Medicine Approach to Assessment and Support
Your thyroid is a small gland with a big job—regulating metabolism, energy, mood, and hormonal balance. Many people are told their thyroid is “normal” based on limited testing, even while experiencing symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or mood shifts. In functional medicine, we go beyond surface-level labs to uncover the deeper imbalances affecting thyroid health.
Testing TSH Isn’t Enough
Standard thyroid testing typically measures Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), which is produced by the brain to signal the thyroid to make hormones.
But TSH is only part of the story:
- TSH stimulates production of T4 (inactive hormone)
- T4 must be converted into T3 (active hormone) in peripheral tissues
- “Normal” TSH doesn’t guarantee optimal T3 levels or conversion
Subclinical hypothyroidism—where symptoms exist despite normal labs—is increasingly recognised in clinical research (González et al., 2019). A full thyroid panel including Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies offers a more complete picture.
Autoimmunity and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT) is the most common autoimmune thyroid condition. It occurs when the immune system produces antibodies that attack thyroid tissue, gradually impairing its function.
- Key antibodies: Thyroid Peroxidase autoantibodies (TPO) and anti-Thyroglobulin (TG)
- Symptoms of raised autoantibodies may precede changes in TSH (as your body will fight to maintain balance)
- HT is more common in women and can take years before a formal diagnosis is made
It is important to address the autoimmune process, as simply giving thyroid hormone (e.g. thyroxine) can improve symptoms in the short-term but won’t address the autoantibodies (e.g. the underlying cause), thereby allowing damage and worsening disease.
Investigating Autoimmune Triggers
Autoimmunity doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s often triggered by a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental stressors. Identifying and addressing these root causes is essential for long-term healing.
Common autoimmune triggers include:
- Chronic infections – such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Helicobacter pylori, or intestinal parasites
- Gut dysbiosis – imbalances in gut bacteria can increase intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”), allowing immune-reactive particles to enter circulation
- Food sensitivities – gluten, dairy, and soy are common culprits in thyroid autoimmunity…however this is not always the case
- Environmental toxins – heavy metals, pesticides, and endocrine disruptors can impair immune regulation
- Chronic stress – dysregulates cortisol and weakens immune tolerance
- Nutrient deficiencies – low levels of selenium, zinc, iron, and vitamin D can impair immune and thyroid function
At Wellness Vision, we can help you pinpoint these triggers and develop a personalised wellness plan to help restore body balance and health.
Nutrients That Support Thyroid Health
Your thyroid relies on specific nutrients to function optimally.
These include:
- Iodine* – essential for hormone synthesis
- Selenium – protects thyroid tissue and supports T4 to T3 conversion
- Zinc – enhances hormone receptor sensitivity
- Iron – necessary for thyroid enzyme activity
- Vitamin D – modulates immune response
- And more…as the thyroid relies on health of the whole body and all of its systems.
Correcting deficiencies can significantly improve symptoms and support recovery.
WARNING* – Do not start taking iodine if you suspect autoimmune thyroid disease (e.g. Hashimoto’s or Grave’s Disease) without seeing an expert. Iodine can worsen or potentiate symptoms in some people or if taken at the wrong time.
The Adrenal-Thyroid Connection
Chronic stress is so common and even though you may feel like you can continue to push through, stress can deplete adrenal reserves, which in turn affects thyroid hormone conversion and cellular sensitivity. This is why testing TSH alone isn’t enough.
Symptoms of adrenal dysfunction often overlap with thyroid issues:
- Fatigue and burnout
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood swings
- Immune suppression
Functional medicine is about treating you, not simply your “disease”.
Take back control of your health trajectory and book now or schedule a free discovery call now to see how we can assist you.