Dr. Westin Childs 
Fatigue, minor weight gain, depression, and brain fog may all be early warning signs of iodine deficiency. Iodine is an important trace mineral that is required for thyroid function in your body. Deficiency, due to a variety of reasons, is more common due primarily to soil depletion and the standard American diet (1). Learn more …
This post will help you understand the primary differences between the two opposite thyroid conditions known as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. You will also learn the symptoms associated with each medical condition and how they alter your thyroid lab tests. Let’s jump in: Thyroid Dysfunction Basics Your thyroid gland may be one of the most important …
Thyroxine is a major player in thyroid hormone balance in your body. But, why if this hormone is so important, do most physicians ignore this test (or simply fail to order it)? Why do physicians focus solely on the TSH instead of free thyroid hormones? Learn more about Thyroxine including how to test for deficiency, …
What do hot flashes, fatigue, weight gain, and decreased sex drive all have in common? They all may be the result of a condition known as menopause. But these are not all of the symptoms associated with menopause. Learn more about menopause symptoms including why they occur, which ones are most common, how to treat …
What is considered a “normal estrogen level”? Did you know that weight gain can alter your estrogen levels? Or that having low progesterone may mimic the symptoms of high estrogen? Estrogen is an important hormone that fluctuates based on the day of the month and the age of the patient. Learn more about what constitutes …
Even though Synthroid and Levothyroxine contain the same active ingredient, they may not be tolerated equally among all patients. This means that certain patients do better on one medication compared to the other! Learn how to identify if you are taking the right type of medication and when to consider switching in this post: Generic …
Do goitrogens really cause thyroid problems? Do you really have to avoid healthy foods like broccoli if you have a thyroid problem? All of these questions and more will be answered in this post. We will go over what a goitrogen is, why you probably don’t have to worry about eating healthy foods that contain …
Thyroidectomy refers to the surgical procedure in which your thyroid is removed. While the surgical portion of the procedure is usually fairly easy, the aftermath as it relates to your serum thyroid levels may be a different story entirely. Learn more about Thyroidectomy in this guide, including the basics of the procedure, the long-term consequences …
Whether you realize it or not thyroid patients have options when it comes to thyroid medications. If you are taking a medication and it isn’t working for you then you owe it to yourself to learn about ALL of the options available to you. This post will take a deep dive into the difference between …
Is having a suppressed TSH dangerous to your body? Will it cause bone loss or damage to your heart? Can the negative side effects be mitigated or avoided with other interventions? In this post, we will discuss the pros and cons of having a suppressed TSH including what potential negative side effects it can cause, …
