Intravenous (IV) Therapy At Patients Medical we can create an IV therapy protocol to specifically address your medical and lifestyle needs, from nutrition supplementation and treatment of migraines, to respiratory ailments, chronic conditions, and many more.
Anti-Aging and Longevity Treatments Remember when you were in college and stayed up all night drinking beer, eating pizza, and partying; yet you still were able to attend class in the morning? How many of you could do that now?
A thyroid test is a blood test that measures the levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH) in the body. These hormones play a crucial role in regulating the body's metabolism and energy levels. Some common thyroid tests include TSH test, T4 test, and T3 test. The results of these tests can help diagnose thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism and monitor the effectiveness of treatment. Your doctor may order a thyroid test if you have symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain or loss, or changes in your hair or skin.
TSH
Free T4
Hypothyroid Low levels of thyroid hormone
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. A hypothyroidism test is a blood test that measures the levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the body. Elevated levels of TSH and low levels of T3 and T4 may indicate hypothyroidism.
The most common test used to diagnose hypothyroidism is the TSH test. If the TSH level is high, it is an indication that the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones. A low TSH level can indicate hyperthyroidism, which is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too many hormones.
Free T4 (FT4) and Free T3 (FT3) tests can also be done to check the levels of these hormones directly.
A patient with symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, cold intolerance, dry skin, constipation, depression, joint/muscle pain, heavy or irregular periods may be tested by their doctor.
It is important to note that many other conditions can also cause similar symptoms, therefore a combination of clinical examination and laboratory tests are used to arrive at a diagnosis.
Hyperthyroid High levels of thyroid hormone
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too many thyroid hormones. A hyperthyroidism test is a blood test that measures the levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the body. Low levels of TSH and high levels of T3 and T4 may indicate hyperthyroidism.
The most common test used to diagnose hyperthyroidism is the TSH test. If the TSH level is low, it is an indication that the thyroid gland is producing too many hormones. A high TSH level can indicate hypothyroidism, which is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones.
A patient with symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as weight loss, rapid heart rate, tremors, nervousness, sweating, heat intolerance, fatigue, muscle weakness, irritability, hair loss, and changes in menstrual cycles may be tested by their doctor.
It is important to note that other conditions can also cause similar symptoms, therefore a combination of clinical examination and laboratory tests are used to arrive at a diagnosis. Other tests like radioactive iodine uptake test, thyroglobulin test, or thyroid scan may also be done to further evaluate the condition.
A thyroid function test is a blood test that measures the levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the body. These hormones play a crucial role in regulating the body's metabolism and energy levels.
The most common thyroid function tests include:
A doctor may order a thyroid function test if a patient has symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain or loss, or changes in their hair or skin, or if they have a history of thyroid disorder or radiation exposure. The test results can help diagnose thyroid disorders and monitor the effectiveness of treatment. It is important to note that other medical conditions can also cause similar symptoms and a combination of clinical examination and laboratory tests are used to arrive at a diagnosis.
The normal ranges for thyroid function tests can vary depending on the laboratory and the specific test used, but generally:
It is important to note that normal ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the specific test used, so it is best to consult with your doctor about what your specific results mean. In addition, some doctors may consider a patient with TSH levels between 4.0 and 5.5 mIU/L as subclinical hypothyroid and may treat the patient accordingly.
Biotin is a B-vitamin that is essential for many bodily functions, including the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Biotin is found in many foods, such as egg yolks, nuts, and leafy greens, and it is also available as a dietary supplement.
Biotin can interfere with certain lab test results, specifically, biotin can cause falsely high or falsely low results in some immunoassay-based thyroid function tests. Because of this, it is recommended that individuals who are going to have a thyroid test should discontinue biotin supplement at least 72 hours before the test, as well as avoid consuming foods high in biotin, such as egg yolks and avocados, in the same period.
It is important to tell your doctor or lab technician if you have been taking biotin supplements before you have a thyroid test, so they can take this into account when interpreting your results.
The Paloma thyroid test is a blood test that measures the levels of two thyroid hormones, T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), as well as the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the body. This test is used to diagnose thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for these conditions.
The test measures the levels of T3 and T4 in the blood, and the results are used to determine if the thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism). High levels of TSH can indicate an underactive thyroid, while low levels of TSH can indicate an overactive thyroid.
The Paloma test is considered to be a more sensitive test than the traditional TSH test alone. It measures the free T3 and T4 levels, which can help identify thyroid disorders that might be missed by the traditional TSH test. However, it is important to note that the Paloma test is not available in every lab and it might not be covered by all insurance providers.
It is important to consult your doctor to determine whether the Paloma test is necessary and appropriate for you, and to interpret the results based on your medical history and current symptoms.
There are several types of thyroid tests that are commonly used to diagnose and monitor thyroid disorders. These include:
It is important to consult your doctor to determine which thyroid test is appropriate for you, and to interpret the results based on your medical history and current symptoms.
The thyroid is responsible for the production of hormones that play a central role in metabolism and energy production.
If the thyroid is low one can have a deficiency in energy production in virtually every organ.
The symptoms one will experience depend on which organ is most affected. If the brain can’t produce enough energy one will feel tired, depressed and likely to complain of brain fog and other unexplained symptoms. A low thyroid is manifested in the gastro-intestinal tract as constipation, cramps, poor digestion and at times reflux. Low energy production in the muscles can cause muscle pain. Frequently people are diagnosed with fibromyalgia but what they really have is a low thyroid missed by routine thyroid tests.
One of the most common cause is toxic compounds and heavy metals. We are exposed daily to various toxins that can directly damage the thyroid and affect the immune system. Heavy metals such as mercury, lead, arsenic etc. are becoming a major health threat and the thyroid is the organ that seems to be most susceptible.
"At Patients Medical we evaluate for the underlying causes - we look beneath the tip of the iceberg!!!" (“What is thyroid TRH Stimulation Test? & How it’s different from TSH Test.” Frequently people complain of many of the typical symptoms of a low thyroid, and all the routine tests come out normal. Sometimes doctors just prescribe an anti-depressant, or tell patients you’re tired because you are getting older. We do not accept this way of thinking.
We believe we can evaluate how well the body and organs are functioning, we can look beneath the beginning and evaluate one’s metabolic state and make the necessary changes. This is the beauty of the TRH stimulation test-It is a challenging test that evaluates how well one’s pituitary and thyroid gland is FUNCTIONING...By using the TRH stimulation test we frequently pick up the low thyroid missed by so many doctors.
The doctors at Patients Medical are one of the few centers in the country who use this test. We have tested many people and have changed the lives of so many because of it.
To understand how the TRH Stimulation Test works, it is first helpful to quickly review how the various brain hormones interact with the thyroid.
Most practitioners consider the best test of thyroid function to be the TSH test, which measures the circulating level of TSH in the bloodstream at one point in time. The TSH test results are then interpreted; levels higher or lower than a so-called normal range are considered evidence of potential thyroid disease. TRH is known generically as protirelin (pronounced proe-TYE-re-lin).
The TSH test is just a blood test.
The TRH test is different. A baseline TSH test is done. Then you are given an injection of TRH, which stimulates the pituitary to release TSH. A second blood sample is drawn 20 to 30 minutes later, and the TSH level is retested.
The TSH test is a picture in time of circulating levels of thyroid hormone. But by challenging the thyroid, the TRH Stimulation Test evaluates the thyroid's actual ability to function in real life.
One way to look at it is to consider the difference between the TRH Stimulation Test and the TSH test, much like a cardiac stress test is compared to a cardiogram, or a glucose tolerance test is compared to fasting glucose level. In a stimulation test, the challenge may reveal an impairment in the thyroid.
Routine TSH Thyroid Blood Tests are Often Inaccurate... your TSH can be normal because the range for normal is so wide ... but you can still feel fatigued and not right.
Routine Blood tests for thyroid function measure the amount of TSH, T4, and T3 in the bloodstream. But thyroid hormones don’t operate within the bloodstream; the action takes place in the cells themselves. Blood tests are measuring how much thyroid hormone is swimming around in the blood stream, but not what is in the cell. This is why the TRH test is so important.
Traditional medical professionals know that thyroid blood tests are less than perfect.
. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) guidelines, doctors have typically been basing their diagnoses on the "normal" range for the TSH test. The typical normal TSH levels at most laboratories have fallen between the 0.5 to 5.0 range. Those with a TSH below .5 are considered to have too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroid). Those whose test results are above 5 are considered to have too little thyroid (hypothyroid). However, it’s not uncommon to find doctors, including endocrinologists (thyroid specialists), who withhold the diagnoses and treatment of hypothyroid until a patient's TSH tests read considerably above 10. While some doctors believe that anyone who has a TSH above 2 and complains of hypothyroid symptoms (depression, fatigue, brain fog, etc.) should be placed on thyroid hormone.
This is why physicians tell their patients frequently....
You have all the symptoms of hypothyroid but your blood works fine.
Patients often relate that they, and sometimes their doctors, suspect a thyroid problem only to have their blood work return normal.
Doctors are typically reluctant to prescribe thyroid replacement therapy without a definitive test that reveals true hypothyroid. They’re afraid that by doing so, they would jeopardize the health of the patient. And true, excess thyroid can cause several unwanted health problems, including elevated heart rate, rapid pulse, and accelerated bone loss. However, millions suffer with symptoms far worse than these when prescription therapy is withheld.
Certainly the dangers of thyroid replacement therapy should be a concern. But, if you weigh the pros and cons of administering thyroid replacement therapy to a patient with normal blood tests, yet all the symptoms of hypothyroid, fatigue, anxiety, depression, achy diffuse pain, weight gain, etc., it's easy to see that withholding therapy should be considered malpractice. This is especially true in light of the fact that many of these patients are taking numerous, potential dangerous drugs, to cover-up the symptoms of hypothyroid; Provigil or Adderall to increase energy, antibiotics for chronic sinus infections, a laxative for constipation, NSAIDs for pain, SSRI medication for depression, Neurontin for tingling in the hands and feet, and perhaps a benzodiazepine like Ativan or Xanax for anxiety. All of these drugs may cause side effects that may cause further symptoms (poor sleep, fatigue, depression, etc.). It’s not uncommon for my patients to be able to drastically reduce or eventually wean off these very medications once their thyroid disorder is corrected.
Dr. Gulati recommends patients take a desiccated glandular (derived from pigs) prescription medication known as Armour Thyroid, which contains both T4 and T3.
Synthroid and other synthetic thyroid medications contain T4 only. Individuals may take T4 medications for years and never notice much improvement. Their blood tests look good, but in the mean time they’re falling apart; gaining weight, having more aches and pains, battling one sinus infection after another, and becoming more and more fatigued, depressed, and withdrawn. Research is validating what many doctors including Dr. Barnes have been advocating for years, a combination of T4 and T3 therapy is superior to synthetic T4 therapy alone.
Several studies demonstrate that a combination of T4 and T3 or simply T3 therapy alone, may provide welcomed relief from a number of symptoms commonly associated with depression. Studies show that T3 therapy is more effective in reducing the symptoms associated with depression than SSRI antidepressants.
A study by the New England Journal of Medicine showed that patients who received a combination of T4 and T3 were mentally sharper, less depressed, and feeling better overall than a control group who received T4 only. The addition of T3 often helps with many symptoms of hypothyroidism that may not disappear with supplemental T4 only. It has improved or eliminated depression, brain fog, feeling cold, constipation, chronic fatigue, headaches, insomnia, muscle and joint pain, and chronic sinus infections.
For some people it has helped them finally lose weight.
One study showed that all the symptoms associated with FMS could be eliminated while the patient was taking high-doses (120 mcg.) of T3.
Prescription thyroid glandular medications are Armour, Westhroid, and Nuthroid. However, many of our patients have trouble getting their medical doctor to write them a prescription for one of these medications.
If you have trouble getting your doctor to prescribe one of these medications then you should come and see one of our physicians.
If you cannot come to our office in Manhattan, consider using the over-the-counter thyroid supplement we recommend to our patients.
Over-the-counter thyroid glandular supplements can also be used to correct low thyroid function. Individuals taking synthetic prescription thyroid medicines (Synthroid, Levathyriod, etc.) may find that adding an over-the-counter T3 glandular supplement helps them feel better. A study by the New England Journal of Medicine showed that patients who received a combination of T4 and T3 were mentally sharper, less depressed, and feeling better overall than a control group who received T4 only. Potent, high quality thyroid glandular supplements are not easy to find.
Thyroid tests are used to measure the levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH) in the blood. The results of these tests can help diagnose and monitor thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Treatment options will vary depending on the specific condition being tested for. Here are a few examples:
It's important to consult a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment based on the results of a thyroid test. Regular follow-up tests are also important to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
Patients Medical specializes in gently helping the patient identify the root cause of their medical issues and then assist them to recover from their problems to help them move forward to good health.
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