Basic Thyroid Panel

The title of this test says basic, but it is actually a much more sophisticated test than most doctors are running in their clinics.  This test is looking at all the parameters of thyroid function.

It differs from the Complete Thyroid test in that it is only focused on the thyroid and does not include blood sugar, HgA1C, insulin, and inflammatory markers such as homocysteine and C Reactive Protein, serum ferritin and key nutrients such as magnesium and vitamin A.

The Complete Thyroid is the Best Intro Test and this is Good for Post-Testing to look at how things are changing with the Thyroid, basic blood and electrolytes and Vitamin D levels.

The Superiority of this Test:

Most mainstream offices are not testing for the free fractions of thyroid hormone as well as thyroid anti-bodies and reverse T3.  That is what we are looking at with this test.

Because mainstream doctors only look at TSH, T4 and sometimes T3, they are under diagnosing the condition and often telling the patient that their symptoms are all in their head.

At DrJockers.com we specialize in getting to the root cause of the condition and with thyroid we do this by assessing the thyroid antibodies, reverse T3 and free fractions of T4 and T3.  The biggest mistake most doctors make every day…is failing to assess these key factors.

This invaluable testing allows us to see how the body is expressing thyroid hormone throughout the body.  Read through this page to understand exactly what we are looking at with this entire test and you will see how thorough a true thyroid screening should be.

This Test Looks at The Following:

TSH: Thyroid stimulating hormone is released from the pituitary gland and acts on the thyroid in order to increase the production of thyroid hormone.  When the hypothalamus senses low T3 levels in the blood it sends Thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) to the pituitary, which then releases TSH to the thyroid for increased T4 production.

Total T4:  Thyroxine is a combination of 4 iodine molecules on a thyroglobulin protein backbone.  Straight T4 is a measurement of both free and bound T4.  Most cases of elevated T4 are due to autoimmune hyperthyroidism.  Low T4 is typically a sign of hypothyroidism.

Total T3:  This is triiodothyronine and is a thyroglobulin protein backbone with 3 iodine molecules.  T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone used by the cells of the body.

Free T3:  This is the best marker for active thyroid hormones available for the thyroid receptor sites.  If T3 is low and thyroid anti-bodies are elevated than it is an autoimmune condition.  If T3 is low, antibodies are low but rT3 is elevated than it is chronic stress.  If T3 is low, anti-bodies are low and rT3 is normal than it is a dysregulation between T4-T3 (think liver or gut).

Free T4:  This is active, unbound T4 in the blood.  Elevated free T4 is typically associated with hyperthyroidism but can sometimes be due to taking heparin or by an acute illness that drains binding proteins and leads to elevated free T4 levels.  Low Free T4 is a state of hypothyroidism.

Reverse T3:  Reverse T3 is inactive and competes with thyroid hormone binding spots.  Elevated levels block normal T3 activity and lead to a functional hypothyroidism.  The production of rT3 takes place in times of extreme stress – major trauma, surgery or severe chronic stress.  Increased production is due to elevated cortisol and an inability to clear rT3.  High rT3 can be due to nutrition deficiencies in zinc, selenium, B12 and iron.

T3 Uptake:  This measures the amount of sites for active (unbound) T3 to bind with thyroxine binding proteins.  The more binding sites available, the lower the uptake will be.

Elevated testosterone will reduce binding sites, which will increase T3 uptake and result in higher levels of free T3.  Elevated estrogen (birth control pills or estrogen dominance) and/or low testosterone will increase binding sites and lower T3 uptake.  This results in lower free T3 levels.

TPO Antibodies:  Thyroid peroxidase antibodies attack the Thyroid peroxidase enzyme which attaches iodine to the tyrosine backbone.  Antibodies attack this enzyme which leads to either an increased activity (hyperthyroidism- Graves) or a decreased activity (hypothyroidism – Hashimoto’s).  This is involved with 95% of cases of autoimmune thyroid disorders.

TG Antibodies:  Thyroglobulin antibodies are also called anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (ATA).  They attack thyroglobulin is the functional backbone of thyroid hormone.  This will result in an autoimmune hypothyroidism called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.  Since the thyroid produces TG, the antibodies chew up the thyroid tissue creating nodules, goiters and overall destruction.  This is involved in 70% of cases of autoimmune thyroid disorders.

Complete Blood Count

The CBC gives us a picture of the immune system, infections, vitamin & mineral status, and the ability to stop bleeding. Each component is evaluated separately below.

This is one of the most basic lab tests that every doctor runs on their clients.  It is always covered by insurance.  We carry it here as an additional option if you do not have insurance coverage.

Comprehensive Metabolic Profile

The purpose of this test is to give us important information about the current status of your kidneys and liver as well as electrolyte and acid/base balance and levels of glucose and blood proteins; to monitor known conditions such as hypertension.

This is one of the most basic lab tests that every doctor runs on their clients.  It is always covered by insurance.  We carry it here as an additional option if you do not have insurance coverage.

Vitamin D Levels:

Vitamin D deficiency is a current epidemic in our society today affecting 90% of our world`s population. According to Vitamin D expert Michael Holick, `We estimate that vitamin D deficiency is the most common medical condition in the world.` It is clear that most people are not getting enough healthy sun exposure and vitamin D synthesis.

Vitamin D is best known for promoting healthy calcium metabolism and bone health but researchers have found that it is critical for all systems of the body. A vitamin D deficiency will impact the development and stability of the immune system, the nervous system and the endocrine system.

Vitamin D is known to play a central role in modulating the immune system and controlling inflammation.  These are two vital processes that are tied to nearly every age-related disease condition. Vitamin D deficiencies are linked with an extraordinary amount of common health disorders.