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Ross Health Consultations

Thyroid Therapy

Thyroid Blood Tests

I have seen patients who were doing well on thyroid pills -- Armour, Naturethroid, synthetic -- who have their symptoms and signs under control, but then reduced their thyroid dose on the basis of limited thyroid blood testing which can result in getting the wrong advice leading to a worsening of their symptoms and overall condition, sometime dramatically. This happens because the thyroid testing is usually not as complete as possible (due to financial/insurance restrictions). To be accurate, testing should look carefully at Free T4 and Free T3 levels, Total T4 and Total 3 levels, and TSH and the two common thyroid antibodies. Top university laboratory experts cannot agree as to which of these types of tests is the most accurate; therefore, in difficult cases it is helpful to check all of them.

Without the proper appropriate lab data it is hard to adjust the thyroid dose correctly. The lab tests themselves have a wide normal range so the interpretation of the labs by the doctor should optimally include some clinical judgment as to how the patient is doing on thyroid in terms of signs and symptoms.

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Testimonials

I have been seeing Dr. Ross for over 10 years now and I can say that in that 10 years, my life has changed drastically. I was never treated properly for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and had all of the symptoms that go along with it including extreme fatigue, depression and anxiety, from the time I was first diagnosed at 17. Like most thyroid patients, I saw numerous endocrinologists through the years. All to no avail. I was either jittery and nervous or had heart palpitations from taking the wrong thyroid medication. And I was still anxious and frequently depressed. When I started seeing Dr. Ross, it was as though my life was given back to me. I saw the world through different eyes for the first time in nearly 50 years. I am no longer stricken with debilitating depression and overwhelming anxiety. I am much healthier and certainly much happier. To say I depend on Dr. Ross is an understatement. I don’t know what I’d do without him. He gave me back my health and emotional well-being. This is the happiest and healthiest I’ve been in years and years.
HCG