Thyroid hormone is one of the two hormones that are critical to our survival. Unfortunately, thyroid disease is very common, and women are around five to eight times more likely to be diagnosed with a thyroid condition than a man. In my practice, I see many women who have either been diagnosed with thyroid disease or who have subclinical thyroid disease, where they have all the symptoms but have often been dismissed by doctors because their labs are within the normal range. Today I'm exploring the role of the thyroid in our bodies, different types of thyroid disease, why I don't think we should be satisfied with being on the low end of normal lab ranges, common symptoms of thyroid disease, my approach to thyroid testing, how you can advocate for yourself with your doctor, and more. Enjoy the episode!   Highlights My approach to interpreting hormone levels What is the thyroid and where is it located? Your thyroid plays an essential role in keeping you alive Why I often choose NP-Thyroid for patients with hypothyroidism What your TSH levels really mean Why you might not feel good even though your thyroid hormone levels are "normal" Women are at higher risk for thyroid disease Conditions and medical history that can increase the risk of developing thyroid disease Common causes of thyroid problems and the differences between them Taking iodine without being supervised by a medical professional can be dangerous Diabetes increases the risk of thyroid disease Why TSH shouldn't be used to diagnose thyroid disease Symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism Thyroid disease and hair loss How thyroid disease is diagnosed It's important to look at symptoms in conjunction with thyroid hormone levels My recommendations for thyroid testing When imaging is useful in diagnosis You have to be a persistent advocate for yourself Understanding treatment options for thyroid disease What you can learn about the Underdog (hypothyroidism) and Over-Achiever (hyperthyroidism) archetypes in the Hormone Balance Bible A thyroid panel should include: Basic: TSH, free T4, and free T3 Advanced: TSH, free T4, free T3, thyroid peroxidase antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies, and thyroglobulin Why I rarely order the reverse T3 test What your thyroid panel results mean   Mentioned in this episode Integrative Therapeutics BMR Complex https://www.integrativepro.com/products/bmr-complex   Connect with Dr. Shawn Tassone, MD, PhD Instagram @ShawnTassoneMD https://www.instagram.com/shawntassonemd/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3rKOqycMebP0Sb6G83lQJg Call his office: 512-956-0296   Resources Dr. Shawn Tassone's Practice https://www.drshawntassone.com/ Dr. Shawn Tassone's Book | The Hormone Balance Bible https://tassonemd.com/hormone-balance-bible/ Dr. Shawn Tassone's Integrative Hormonal Mapping System | Hormone Archetype Quiz https://tassonemd.lpages.co/hormonearchetypequiz/       Disclaimer This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.