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Are we overdoing Thyroid Medication?

There is a trend amongst some providers to keep pushing thyroid medications in patients till they feel better.  I liken this to pushing a car to 65 mph in second gear.  It can be done, but over time it doesn’t work out well for the car. 

This tactic is done without understanding that this hormone is just one piece of the puzzle.  If the thyroid lab values are within range and the patient feels bad, what else might you be missing.  There can be issues with sleep, adrenal gland dysfunction, food sensitivities, mold toxicity, infections, and much more.  

Finally, there is a very good reason not to overdo thyroid meds.  You cause an imbalanced immune system and can have increased autoimmunity and less immune surveillance of cancers and infections.  This happens because of decreased TRH (thyroid releasing hormone) and its decreased effect on the vagus nerve.

Thyroid is important and should be checked yearly.  It should not be seen as a pathway that can be overused to overcome other issues not yet discovered.  This will create a whole new set of problems.