Re: Doc put me on Synthroid

lef.org has decent prices on a variety of tests, other wise in my area we have various self serve labs around town as well.


If your doc gave you synthetic T4 that could simply highlight their lack of knowledge about thyroid function and actually make your deficiency worse. Selenium is essential for the enzymes that convert T4 to T3 (the active thyroxin) as well as for the enzyme that neutralizes the damaging byproducts of creating thyroxins in the first place.

Any doc worth their salt or knowledgeable in the thyroid would go back to basics and make sure you have ample Iodine and selenium before moving on to more aggressive treatment.

Just simply doling out synthetic hormones because TSH is elevated is kind of like running your car out of gas, having it towed to the shop and them them wanting to put in a new fuel pump without ever checking to make sure there is fuel in the tank.

An elevated TSH not only is a precursor to signal T4 production but also triggers NIS symporter creating which is essential for proper thyroid function. In essence when the body is low on base elements thyroxin production decreases and along with it the receptors that are activated by thyroxins. When the nutrients are restored and proper thyroxin amounts can be produced the body need to once again increase the receptors to proper amounts as well. This is all triggered by TSH and why seeing an increased TSH when supplemention Iodine is common. Its not a problem in and of itself, its an indication you were deficient in iodine/selenium.

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