Do You Suffer From Thyroid Disorder in Roseville MN?

If you have searched for a doctor in the Twin Cities area who could provide real relief for your thyroid problem, you will be pleased to discover our clinic. Whether you suffer from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism or if you have not yet been diagnosed but suspect a thyroid problem in Roseville MN, Dr. Stuckey will keep you from running from doctor to doctor looking for answers. He has the answers. And you will finally get the answers and support you need. Please read on for more information and we look forward to meeting you.

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Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

1. Fatigue, tiredness, or sluggishness
2. Cold feet and/or hands
3. Do you require excessive amounts of sleep to function?
4. Do you gain weight easily?
5. Do you have difficult or infrequent bowel movements?
6. Do you suffer from depression?
7. Lack of motivation?
8. Do you suffer from morning headaches?
9. Thinning hair or excessive hair falling out?
10. Do you suffer from dryness of the skin and / or scalp?
11. Do you suffer from mental sluggishness?

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Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

1. Do you suffer from heart palpitations?
2. Do you suffer from inward trembling?
3. Do you have an increased pulse even at rest?
4. Are you nervous and emotional?
5. Do you suffer from insomnia?
6. Do you suffer from night sweats?
7. Do you have difficulty gaining weight?

Do you suffer from some of the symptoms on each of the lists?  Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder in which the patient's immune system attacks the thyroid. Patients that suffer from Hashimoto's often present with symptoms of both hypo and hyperthyroidism. To learn more about how we thoroughly test you to determine that root cause of your thyroid call us today.

I am here to tell you that there is NEW HOPE, thanks to OUR DRUG-FREE and NATURAL Protocols!

Our approach is revolutionary in that it addresses the SOURCE of Thyroid Disorders by using advanced lab measurements and a comprehensive functional brain-based protocol!

We are one of the only clinics in the Twin Cities to use a combined functional metabolic and neurological protocol that deals with the

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TRUE causes of Thyroid Disorders in Roseville MN

• Are you tired of running from doctor to doctor only to play a guessing game with different medications? "Here try this drug, that didn't work? Try this one!"
• Are you tired of taking drugs that don't fix the problem?
• Do you continue to struggle with chronic pain and fatigue day in and day out?

If you're tired of running from doctor to doctor without results and you want someone that is going to get to the TRUE CAUSE of your problem, Dr. Stuckey can help. He shows in detail how his functional metabolic and neurologic approach can create long lasting relief from the everyday pain and fatigue caused by Thyroid Disorders.

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Read on here to learn more......

Thyroid hormone binding is influenced by essential fatty acid metabolism, testosterone, estrogen, etc. Thyroid hormone peripheral conversion is dependent on proper 5’diodinase activity and can be altered by cortisol, estrogen, hepatic dysfunction, dysbiosis, etc. Thyroid hormone receptor binding and response may be altered by inflammation, vitamin A status, and essential fatty acid levels, etc. In this section of the website we will briefly review thyroid hormone physiology, laboratory markers for thyroid evaluation, nutrients to support the thyroid, exogenous thyroid hormone replacement, and drugs that alter thyroid metabolism.

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Thyroid Physiology Review

Once the thyroid is stimulated by Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) from the pituitary, it produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) by transporting iodine into the thyroid and by stimulating Thyroid Peroxidase Activity (TPO). TPO is involved in the formation of T4 and T3 as it catalyzes the oxidation of iodine using hydrogen peroxide. The thyroid will produce 94% of the available T4 and 7% of the available T3. As we know, T4 is inactive and T3 is an active thyroid hormone. Therefore, the majority of hormone production at the thyroid is inactive T4. Once the thyroid has produced T4, it is metabolized peripherally from the thyroid into combination T3 hormones by the enzyme 5 deiodinase, mostly at the liver. Under normal circumstances, about 40% of the available T4 is converted into T3, 20% is converted into reverse T3 (rT3), which is irreversibly inactive, and 20% is converted into T3 sulfate (T3S) and triiodothyroacetic acid (T3AC). T3S and T3AC are inactive thyroid hormones until they circulate into the gastrointestinal tract and are acted upon by intestinal sulfatase into active T3. Gastrointestinal sulfatase activity is dependent upon a healthy gut microflora.

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Understanding Thyroid Markers and Panels

TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is also called thyrotropin. The pituitary releases this hormone after the hypothalamus releases TRH (thyrotropin-releasing-hormone). This is the most common marker used to assess thyroid function and it is also the most sensitive. The TSH levels increase when the T4 levels drop, and the TSH falls when T4 levels increase. This is the only test performed in the traditional health care model as a means to screen the patient for thyroid disorders; this is because they are only concerned for screening the thyroid for hormone replacement and not optimal physiological function. A TSH test alone does not consider thyroid pituitary feedback loops, peripheral thyroid metabolism, or potential or active risk factors as identified by antibody testing. A high TSH with or without changes in T4 or T3 is diagnostic to determine hypothyroidism. If the thyroid is not making enough T4, the pituitary will pump out TSH to stimulate its production. A low TSH is used to determine hyperthyroid activity. If the thyroid is overactive such as in Grave's disease, the antibodies bind to active thyrotropin(TSH) receptors on the thyroid cells and stimulate T4 production without the influence of TSH. Please note that some antibodies may inhibit thyroid function by inactivating instead of stimulating thyrotropin receptors. This is called an autoimmune hypothyroid. These patterns will demonstrate a hypothyroid pattern (elevated TSH) with elevated thyroid antibodies.

• Laboratory Reference Range: 0.5 – 5.5 (varies from one lab to another)
• Functional Reference Range: 1.5-3.5

Total Thyroxine (TT4): The TT4 test measures both bound and unbound thyroxine levels, therefore, it does not give the activity of T4 when measured alone. This test is best completed with a T3 uptake. The free thyroxine index (FT4) can be calculated by using the T3 uptake and demonstrating a level of T4 activity. Total T4 levels can be altered by many drugs.

Free Thyroxine Index: As stated earlier, the total thyroxine and T3 uptake must be used together to calculate the FT4. The index is measured by multiplying the TT4 levels by the T3 uptake levels. The result is the FT4 and it determines the amount of active T4 available. The impact of drugs, as will be discussed, will always impact T4 and resin T3 uptake levels in opposite directions due to its impact on binding sites. If the TT4 level is depressed, then the T3 uptake is high; if the TT4 is elevated, the resin uptake is low. Please note that even if you are taking drugs that may impact thyroid binding, the free thyroxine index should be within the normal range if your thyroid is functioning normally.

Free Thyroxine (FT4): The free thyroxine test is used to measure the amount of free or active T4 in the blood. All the factors such as drugs and physical conditions that may impact the TT4 do not impact the FT4. The level of T4 in the blood is high with hyperthyroidism or low with hypothyroidism. Please note that even a high TSH with normal T4 is enough to diagnose hypothyroidism. A rare pattern is an elevated T4 without hyperthyroidism, which may be related to a hereditary condition of thyroid resistance. Elevated Free T4 may also be caused by patients taking heprin or by an acute illness that my briefly cause the binding protein levels to suddenly fall. If an illness becomes severe and chronic, it may decrease the FT4 levels but it is not a thyroid disease.

Resin T3 Uptake: The Resin T3 Uptake measures the amount of sites for active (unbound) T3 to bind on thyroxine-binding proteins. This test is performed by mixing the blood with radioactive thyroid hormones. These radioactive hormones then combine with binding sites on thyroxine-binding proteins. The blood is then exposed to a substance called a resin that will bind the unbound thyroid hormones, and measure for radioactivity. The result can be expressed as the percent of radioactivity found on the resin compared to the original radioactivity that was added. The more binding sites that are open on the proteins, the lower the resin-uptake result will be, and vice versa. For example, anything that reduces the binding sites, such as elevated testosterone or testosterone replacement therapy, causes a low T4 measurement because it leaves very few binding sites for any more thyroid hormone to bind to it. If T3 is added to the sample of the blood, little T3 will be bound. This pattern would have low TT4 levels and high Resin T3 Uptake levels. On the other hand, anything that raises the binding sites, such as estrogen or birth control pills, would cause a pattern of high TT4 and low T3 Uptake.

Free Triiodothyronine (FT3): This test measures the free T3 hormone levels. This test is rarely completed in traditional endocrinology. It is typically only used in a situation where the patient has hyperthyroid, yet the FT4 levels are normal. However, the FT3 test is the best marker to see what amount of active thyroid hormones is available for the thyroid receptor sites.

Reverse T3 or (rT3): This test measures the amount of reverse T3 that is produced. The production of rT3 typically takes place in cases of extreme stress such as major trauma, surgery, or severe chronic stress. It appears that the increased production of reverse T3 is due to inability to clear rT3, as well as from elevated cortisol.

Thyroid Antibodies: Thyroid auto-antibodies indicate that the body's immune system is attacking itself. Production of thyroid auto-antibodies may create a hypothyroid or a hyperthyroid state. Some antibodies attach to the TSH receptors but do not cause a response. Therefore, the patient will complain of low thyroid symptoms, however the serum TSH may not be altered. It is just not able to cause a cellular change. On the other hand, some antibodies will bind to the receptor sites and cause over-activation of the thyroid. This will present as elevated T4 levels, a low TSH and elevated thyroid antibodies.