Thyroid Health
“I was sure it had to be my thyroid, but my doctor said everything looked normal….”
Thyroid Imbalances
Have you been feeling off lately?
Dealing with chronic fatigue or brain fog?
Have you gained weight – even though you haven’t made any diet changes?
Perhaps you have more aches and pains than usual, including muscle weakness or stiffness.
Do you take a sweater with you (even in July!) because air conditioned stores and restaurants leave you shivering.
Perhaps you’ve been feeling down lately, dealing with blue moods that you’ve never had in the past.
Whether you suffer from all these symptoms or just a couple, you could be suffering from a thyroid problem.
Symptoms
Your thyroid gland has a huge impact on your energy level and many other functions. Located in the base of your neck, the thyroid gland makes hormones that control your metabolism, how well your heart beats, digestive function, muscle control, brain development, mood and bone maintenance. The thyroid also regulates how quickly your body uses calories from the foods you eat.
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism (low thyroid function):
- Feeling tired all the time (especially at the end of the day)
- Needing lots of sleep
- Feeling cold
- Constipation
- Weight gain (or difficulty losing weight)
- Brain fog
- Bad memory
- Hair loss
- Dry hair
- Dry skin
- Dry eyes
- Mood problems, including feeling depressed or anxious
- Irregular menstrual cycles or heavy periods
- Problems with fertility
- Loss of interest in sex
- High cholesterol
- Puffy eyes
- Stiff or sore muscles
Thyroid health is very important for metabolism. Thyroid tells your body to burn fat to generate energy, so you can imagine what happens (or doesn’t happen!) when you don’t have enough….
Our approach to thyroid health
We do a comprehensive thyroid panel, including TSH, Free T4, Free T3, reverse T3, TPO antibodies and antiTG antibodies.
We also look for underlying factors that may be interfering with how you are using your thyroid hormones, including stress, inflammation, and digestive problems.
Why are you hypothyroid in the first place?
Most women have no idea why they are hypothyroid. The question is not usually asked. But wouldn’t you like to know?
There are some environmental factors that can damage your thyroid gland, like heavy metals and toxic chemicals in the environment. Deficiencies in iodine can do it too, although that is not so common in our modern life.
The most common cause of hypothyroidism in women (accounting for about 90% of cases!) is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s.
I was sure it had to be my thyroid, but my doctor tested me and said everything was normal....
We hear this all the time.
In medical school, doctors are taught to measure TSH, the screening thyroid lab test. If you don’t feel good, and request a thyroid test, your doctor will typically be happy to measure this for you on a blood test. If you are full blown hypothyroid (low thyroid), your test will be abnormal and your doctor will diagnose you with hypothyroidism.
Here is why this issue is so frustrating to so many women.
There are a lot of reasons why the TSH screening test will be within the “normal” lab range, but you still won’t feel good. One reason is that the lab range is very broad and is somewhat controversial. Your level may be “normal” but not optimal.
Even more often, we find that the TSH really is perfectly fine, and your thyroid gland is making the right amount of thyroid hormone, but you can’t USE the thyroid hormone in your cells. If you can’t use it, then your cells behave as though you are hypothyroid, and you have the symptoms, but your TSH test will look normal!
What could be wrong?
Your thyroid gland make T4 (thyroxine). T4 circulates around in your bloodstream, but it doesn’t actually do much. When it gets to your tissues (especially your liver) you have to convert it into T3. T3 is the hormone that actually activates your cells and tells them to burn fat and generate energy. You could have a problem converting the T4 from your thyroid gland, into the T3 your cells need.
Here are just a few common reasons why you may not be doing a great job converting T4 to T3:
- Stress (cortisol, the main stress hormone, reduces T3 conversion)
- Nutrient deficiencies (certain vitamins are needed as co-factors for T3 production)
- Imbalances in your gut microbes (your gut bacteria either help or hinder the process)
- Estrogen dominance (imbalances in your estrogen and progesterone levels)
- Inflammation
If this is your problem, your thyroid gland is fine and you don’t necessarily need thyroid replacement – we need to correct the underlying factors so you can USE your thyroid hormone properly!
Hashimoto's Disease
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition where your immune system attacks your thyroid gland.
The sad truth is that millions of people are suffering from chronic autoimmune disorders like Hashimotos (without even knowing it!) and many aren’t receiving the right care or have been misdiagnosed.
In order to know whether you have Hashimotos, we simply do a blood test for thyroid antibodies (called TPO antibodies).
Why is it important to know whether you have Hashimoto’s?
When you have one autoimmune condition (like Hashimotos) it means you are at risk for developing another one (such as multiple sclerosis, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis). Some women even develop 3 or more!
Focusing on your immune system (which is largely located in your digestive tract!) may help us reduce your risk of developing another autoimmune condition.
Take The First Step
On Your Journey To Optimal Health
We are excited to discuss our pillars and programs with you!
Our Patient Care Coordinators are here to help you discover the best path forward to begin feeling better with our proven process.
Why do I still have thyroid symptoms if my thyroid tests are normal?
Standard thyroid testing often evaluates only a portion of thyroid function. Functional medicine may assess additional markers and evaluate nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, gut health, stress, and hormone balance that can affect thyroid performance.
Many patients in Charlotte, Belmont, Lake Norman, and Davidson are frustrated because they continue to experience fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, hair loss, anxiety, or low energy despite being told their thyroid tests are "normal." In many cases, standard thyroid testing only evaluates a limited number of markers, such as TSH, and may not provide a complete picture of thyroid function.
At Signature Wellness, we take a functional medicine approach to thyroid health. We evaluate additional factors that may contribute to thyroid symptoms, including free thyroid hormone levels, thyroid antibodies, nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalances, chronic stress, inflammation, gut health, and metabolic dysfunction. Identifying the root cause of persistent symptoms is often the key to helping patients feel better.
For nearly two decades, Signature Wellness has helped patients throughout the greater Charlotte area uncover overlooked causes of thyroid-related symptoms and develop personalized treatment plans.
Can functional medicine help Hashimoto's disease?
Many patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis benefit from a functional medicine approach focused on reducing inflammation, improving gut health, addressing nutritional deficiencies, and supporting immune system balance.
What symptoms suggest a thyroid problem?
Common symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, hair loss, depression, constipation, cold intolerance, and difficulty concentrating. A comprehensive evaluation can help determine whether thyroid dysfunction may be contributing.
What is the difference between hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's disease?
Hypothyroidism describes a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease and is one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism.
In Hashimoto's disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation and gradual loss of thyroid function over time. Some patients with Hashimoto's may have normal thyroid hormone levels initially but still experience symptoms related to inflammation and immune dysfunction.
At Signature Wellness in Charlotte and Belmont, we frequently see patients who have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism but were never tested for Hashimoto's thyroid antibodies. Understanding whether an autoimmune process is present can help guide a more comprehensive treatment strategy.
Can functional medicine help Hashimoto's thyroiditis?
Functional medicine cannot cure Hashimoto's disease, but it can help identify factors that may contribute to autoimmune activity and thyroid dysfunction.
At Signature Wellness, we evaluate potential triggers such as food sensitivities, gut health imbalances, chronic inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, stress, environmental exposures, and hormone imbalances. By addressing these factors, many patients experience improvements in energy, mental clarity, digestive health, and overall well-being.
Why am I gaining weight despite thyroid medication?
Weight gain can occur even when thyroid medication has normalized laboratory values. Thyroid function is only one piece of the metabolic puzzle.
Other factors that may contribute to weight gain include insulin resistance, menopause, low testosterone, elevated cortisol levels, chronic stress, poor sleep, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and reduced muscle mass.
At Signature Wellness, we perform a comprehensive evaluation to identify the underlying factors affecting metabolism and weight management. Our goal is not simply to normalize lab values but to optimize overall health and metabolic function for long-term success.
What symptoms suggest thyroid dysfunction?
Common symptoms of thyroid dysfunction may include:
- Fatigue and low energy
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Brain fog and memory issues
- Hair thinning or hair loss
- Depression or anxiety
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Cold intolerance
- Sleep disturbances
- Low libido
- Menstrual irregularities
- Muscle aches and joint pain
Because many thyroid symptoms overlap with other health conditions, a thorough evaluation is important. At Signature Wellness, we help patients throughout the Charlotte region determine whether thyroid dysfunction is contributing to their symptoms and identify any additional root causes.
Can thyroid disease cause anxiety?
Yes. Thyroid dysfunction can affect mood, emotional well-being, and nervous system function.
Both underactive and overactive thyroid conditions may contribute to anxiety, irritability, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances. In some cases, patients are treated for anxiety for years before discovering that an underlying thyroid disorder is contributing to their symptoms.
At Signature Wellness, we evaluate thyroid health as part of a comprehensive assessment of anxiety, stress, mood concerns, and hormone balance. This whole-person approach often helps uncover contributing factors that may otherwise be missed.
Can thyroid disease cause brain fog?
Yes. Brain fog is one of the most common complaints among individuals with thyroid dysfunction.
Patients often describe difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, slower thinking, mental fatigue, and decreased productivity. Thyroid hormones play a critical role in brain function, memory, metabolism, and energy production.
At Signature Wellness, we frequently work with patients from Charlotte, Belmont, and Lake Norman who are experiencing brain fog despite having "normal" thyroid lab results. A more comprehensive evaluation can help identify whether thyroid dysfunction, inflammation, hormone imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, or other factors are affecting cognitive performance.
Why choose Signature Wellness for functional medicine in Charlotte?
Signature Wellness has been serving the greater Charlotte area since 2006 and is one of the region's most established functional medicine and hormone health clinics. The practice is led by Dr. Deb Matthew, an internationally recognized functional medicine physician, best-selling author, speaker, educator, board examiner, and media expert who has appeared on television more than 100 times. Patients throughout Charlotte, Belmont, Davidson, Lake Norman, Huntersville, Cornelius, Matthews, Gastonia, and surrounding communities seek out Signature Wellness for complex cases when they want a root-cause approach rather than simply treating symptoms.
