The Starter Guide toThyroid Health

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Paloma Health is thefirst online medicalpractice focused onhypothyroidism. Weoffer at-home bloodtest kits, live videoconsultations withthyroid specialists, andprescriptionmanagement. In this guide, learnabout the science ofhypothyroidism andfirst steps to manageyour thyroid health.

A notefromPalomaHealth

The thyroid is the butterfly shaped gland atthe base of your neck. It's job is to makehormones - triiodothyronine and thyroxine(T3 and T4, respectively) - that regulate yourbody's energy use. As part of the endocrine system, the thyroidgland makes and stores hormones that helpregulate the body’s metabolism in the formof blood pressure, blood temperature, andheart rate.

About the thyroid gland

When your thyroid hormone productiondrops, your body processes slow down andchange, affecting virtually every system inthe body. Undiagnosed thyroid disease putspatients at risk for other ailments, like heartdisease, osteoporosis, and infertility.

What is hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism maycause symptomsassociated with theslowing down of yourbody’s metabolic andnervous systems.

10 Most CommonSymptoms

1 Chronic fatigue2 Weight gain3 Sensitivity to cold4 Hair loss or thinning5 Low blood pressure6 Dry or rough skin7 Irregular periods8 Constipation9 Low libido10 Brain fog

Facts about the thyroid

An estimated 200 million people suffer fromthyroid issues around the world.

Hypothyroidism is more common thanhyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid.

20% of people will experience thyroidproblems before they turn 60.

Women are 5-8x more likely to suffer fromthyroid issues than men.

The thyroid produces two hormones: T4 +T3. The primary job of T4 is to transport T3to the proper organs in your body.

The thyroid affects virtually all parts of thebody but weighs only 20 grams!

T3 and T4 are regulated by thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH), which isproduced in the pituitary gland in the brain.

The liver is the major location where T4 isconverted into the active T3.

Cause of hypothyroidism?

gland - known asHashimoto's Disease. While many labs onlylook only at thyroidstimulating hormone(TSH), we believeit is critical to alsomeasure free trii-odothyronine (fT3),free thyroxine (fT4)and TPO antibodiesto fully understandhow your thyroid isworking.

While studies point tofamily history, certainmeds, nutritionaldeficiencies, or largehormonal changes,it's hard to know theexact cause. We do know that90% of adult cases ofhypothyroidism arecaused by an auto-immune conditionthat causes yourimmune system toattack your thyroid

The thyroid gland produces two hormones:thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).Thyroid hormone replacement medicationcomes in both T4 and T3 formulations.In a healthy thyroid gland, the inactive T4 isreleased into circulation and converted bythe body into the active T3. Often, treatmentfor thyroid replacement starts with T4-onlyformulations, assuming that the body cansuccessfully do the conversion on its own.

What treatments areavailable?

Many nutritional factors play a role in optimizingthyroid function. Both nutrient deficiencies andexcesses can trigger or exacerbate symptoms.Optimizing your lifestyle, nutrition, andsupplements can make a difference in manycases of hypothyroidism. Work with your Palomacare team to identify dietary triggers andreverse nutritional deficiencies.

Nutrition, supplements, and lifestyleoptimization

If you don't take enough thyroid hormone, somesymptoms of hypothyroidism may continue. Ifyou take too much, you may have symptomsmimicking an overactive thyroid, likenervousness, a racing heart, or shaking.

Problems with too much or too little?

A brief thyroid history

In 138AD, Greek physician Soranus, firstmentions neck swelling following pregnancy.

138AD

In 1500, Leonardo DaVinci draws the firstdepiction of the thyroid gland. He died beforehe could publish his drawings. After his death,they went unseen for 260 years.

1500

In 1656, anatomist Thomas Wharton gave the"thyroid" it's name.

1656

In 1850, British surgeon Thomas Curling firstdescribes hypothyroidism (myxoedema) butthe treatments weren't established until 1883.

1850

In 1954, T3 hormone is isolated & synthesized.1954

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, or autoimmunehypothyroidism, is named after the Japanesesurgeon who discovered it in 1912.

1912

Thyroxine (T4 hormone) is first isolated in 1914and synthesized in 1927.

1914

In 1970, the conversion of T4 to T3 isdiscovered.

1970 onversered.

When you start or switch medications, it'simportant to retest your thyroid every four tosix weeks and adjust your dosage as neededuntil your levels are stable. Once you settleinto a care plan, monitor your levels every sixmonths, using Paloma's personalized onlinedashboard to easily track trends.

Follow-up protocol

Take your meds at the same time each day.Make it part of your routine.

Tips to help optimize yourthyroid function

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Monitor your thyroid levels regularly (every six months).

Work with your doctor to regularly check yourvitamin levels.

Build a nutrition plan with your Health Coachto enhance your diet.

Practice daily relaxation to lower cortisollevels from chronic stress.

Move your body daily to stimulate yourmetabolism.

Get sufficient rest to combat fatigue andbrain fog.

You deserve better care.Schedule a free call with a care

advisor to determine if Paloma can helpyou manage your condition.