Thyroid hormone is a metabolic hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. It regulates temperature, metabolism, and cerebral function, which results in increased energy, temperature and warmth. It increases fat breakdown resulting in weight loss as well as lower cholesterol. It protects against cardiovascular disease by its cholesterol lowering properties, it improves cerebral metabolism and prevents cognitive impairment. It relieves symptoms of thin, sparse hair, dry skin, and thin nails.

 People, who suffer from low thyroid function, tend to experience fatigue and low energy, slowness in their speech and actions, forgetfulness, mental confusion, depression, arthritis-like pain and susceptibility to colds and infection. Many of these aspects are considered normal aging. However, now we know that it is secondary to thyroid insufficiency. The thyroid hormone can be an indispensable ingredient in the total hormone package. Thyroid production declines as we age similar to other hormones. This is not considered to be true hyperthyroid but rather a thyroid insufficiency which has in the past been thought to not need hormone replacement. Research has now shown that improving thyroid levels will alleviate any of the symptoms of thyroid insufficiency and allow our system to function more effectively and efficiently.

Thyroid hormone initially is produced in the thyroid gland as a storage form of thyroid called T-4. Once in the body, this circulating T-4 is converted to the active form of T-3 by an enzyme. As we age, the production of T-4 diminishes, in addition, the conversion of T-4 to the active form of T-3 also diminishes, resulting in less stimulation of the cells. Mitochondria need thyroid hormone to burn oxygen and produce ATP, which is the fuel that runs the body. If the mitochondria are weakened due to an inadequate supply of thyroid hormone, then we will not be able to burn up proper amounts of oxygen thereby giving us less energy and symptoms of thyroid insufficiency. In addition, we will be unable to keep up mentally and physically as we once did. In addition, our immune system slows down, becoming weaker and less effective. Physicians have notoriously been hesitant to supplement thyroid hormones either through laziness or lack of understanding of their importance.

 Thyroid deficiency can be diagnosed by symptomology, thyroid hormone levels or by a basal body temperature. An early morning temperature before getting out of bed should be at least 97.6. Any temperature less than this indicates thyroid insufficiency. Supplementation is with a natural thyroid product, which is a combination of, T-3 and T-4; the synthetic thyroid replacements are not used because the natural replacements are more effective and will restore thyroid hormone in a more natural way. Patients who switch from the synthetic to the natural notice improvement in their symptoms.