Thyroid Testing & Treatment in Edmonton.We have a special interest in Thyroid health.
We run comprehensive panels to understand precisely how your Thyroid is functioning. Nutrients and your ThyroidWe consider iron, zinc, copper, selenium and vitamin A & D as part of your thyroid health. Iron, Zinc, Copper and Selenium are necessary nutrients for conversion of relatively inactive T4 into active T3 Thyroid hormone. A few B Vitamins are needed for Thyroid function. B2, B6 and B12 are the key Thyroid B Vitamins. B2 is needed for iodine transport, B6 is needed for hypothalamic Thyroid function and B12 is deficient in many hypothyroid patients and there is considerable overlap between B12 deficiency and hypothyroidism symptoms. B Vitamin family testing (other than B12) is expensive and cumbersome so our Naturopaths usually recommend a high potency Multivitamin to ensure adequate B's and aforementioned minerals. B12 shots are extremely effective for rapid resolution of B12 deficiency symptoms. Vitamin D sufficiency can help lower elevated TSH but has a more intimate role in immune modulation in both Graves' and Hashimoto's Disease Autimmune Thyroid patients. Another Fat soluble nutrient, Vitamin A, is necessary for Thyroid hormone entry into cells so we measure it, although it is pricey, it is sometimes low in our Edmonton patients. Our urine Iodine testing also includes bromine and cadmium levels which are minerals that can interfere with proper thyroid function. Bromine competes with Iodine on receptor sites and cadmium can interfere with T4 to T3 conversion. |
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![]() Experienced in Thyroid and Adrenal Testing |
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Autoimmune Thyroid DiseaseWe can work with autoimmune Thyroid concerns including Hashimoto's disease and Graves' disease. With regards to autoimmune Thyroid issues, our Naturopaths see a much higher prevalence of Hashimoto's than Graves' Disease in our Edmonton patients. Subclinical HypothyroidismBy testing deeper parameters than what it commonly assessed our Naturopaths often diagnose subclinical or sublaboratory hypothyroidism that is a common cause of fatigue. In milder cases of hypothyroidism, serum levels of free T4 and free T3 are often normal (though typically in the low-normal range), while the TSH level is above normal (we often consider values above 2 to be potentially problematic). While being stimulated to work harder, this pattern indicates the thyroid is barely keeping up with the body’s needs. In the typical patient complaining of fatigue or depression, our Naturopaths screen for the presence of additional symptoms such as cold extremities, dry skin, hair loss, decreased mental concentration, poor memory, constipation, or menstrual irregularities increases the index of suspicion for hypothyroidism. Our Naturopaths often seen hypothyroid symptoms that result from a defect in the conversion of T4 to its biologically active metabolite, T3. A mild defect in this pathway (deiodinase) might reduce serum T3 to a level that, while still within the range of normal, is below normal for that particular person. We see this all the time. Finally we can test for reverse T3 "RT3" if we suspect it to be an issue. Adrenals & Thyroid HealthOur Naturopaths often run Salivary Adrenal Gland Cortisol testing, and occasionally Urinary Cortisol testing. Urine Cortisol testing has the advantage of quantifying Cortisone levels which can be elevated in hyperthyroidism and lowered in hypothyroidism respectively.
Cortisol is crucial for Thyroid hormone entry into cells and hypocortisolism is usually responsible for Thyroid hormone treatment intolerance. Hypoadrenalism and hypothyroidism often coexist in patients, and the symptoms of low Thyroid and low Adrenals overlap considerably. Hypoadrenalism is often colloquially referred to as "adrenal fatigue" and is often manifested as morning fatigue, usually another mid-day energy dip and poor stress tolerance. |
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Our Naturopathic Clinic has a large range of Natural Adrenal and Thyroid treatments available. Interventions may be taken to remove halides or heavy metals from the Thyroid if there is evidence of metal accumulation interfering with your Thyroid function.
Prescription Cytomel can be used in cases of high reverse T3 or if patients have an objection to the use of Porcine natural Thyroid. These prescription medications require referral to a prescribing professional and our Naturopaths usually facilitate that in Edmonton on your behalf if needed. Bottom line is that our Naturopaths know their thyroid function :) Looking for Thyroid Testing or Treatment?Give us a call
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Our Naturopaths offer comprehensive thyroid testing and we work with Natural Dessicated Thyroid, Cytomel (T3) as well as compounded T4/T3 preparations (requires referral to one of our collaborative professionals)