When "Low Thyroid" Isn't the Whole Story

A Moment with Dr. Stillman

A Moment with Dr. Stillman

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If you’re the one your family depends on for medical decisions, but your own signs, symptoms, and data don’t make sense, this post is for you.

She was tracking her basal temp, managing her husband’s labs, and tracking her son’s numbers as well.

When I asked her where she was in relation to where we started, she said 7/10.

“Great,” I think to myself. “We are just optimizing now.” This is actually the hard part.

We had started natural thyroid hormone replacement a few months ago. It helped for a while. Sleep improved. She started to unplug her Wi‑Fi router at night. That also helped her sleep.

Then the confusion started:

• Waking temps of 96.7 (why is it this low?)

• More emotional, fatigued in the afternoon

• Waking up in the middle of the night (we solved this problem six months ago)

Was it thyroid? Detox? Hormones?

She was at 7 out of 10 overall (in her own words).

She wasn’t broken. She was stuck between good and great.

What I Found Looking Closer

• Long‑standing fatigue and poor sleep, better for a season on Armour + Wi‑Fi off

• Basal temps sometimes low, sometimes up at 98.1

• Hair test showing active detoxification - copper and other metals are being eliminated from the body

• Very low estrogen and androgens, which entails low resilience, low energy, and greater environmental sensitivity

• Progesterone helped before, now left her groggy

What we were doing was working, but with so many variables, how do you sort out what’s working and what’s not?

In these situations, I do what I can to “simplify the clinical picture.” Make a few small, controlled moves, rather than drastic changes. Do them sequentially, rather than all at once. Try to track what’s working with micro-experiments, not sweeping lifestyle changes. Give things time to settle in, to work, to “stick.”

Here’s what we did.

• Increased the testosterone and DHEA doses to achieve optimal levels - this helps with resiliency, energy, focus, mood, sleep, and more

• If that didn’t work, we would add more thyroid hormone

• We would keep the minerals flowing into her body

• And support her body’s detoxification systems with additional supplements and foods

She’s at 7 out of 10. We already solved the major problems she came to us with. Sleep is better. Energy is great, overall. We’re just managing minor issues now.

One Thing To Try This Week

For one week:

• Track your basal body temperature in the mornings. All you need is a simple thermometer.

If you notice your morning temperature is low, don’t just reach for thyroid hormone. Testosterone, DHEA, protein, caloric intake, carbohydrates, and micronutrient levels (minerals and vitamins) all play a vital role in determining your basal body temperature.

Keep it simple. Focus on what you’re going to do, then go do it. Don’t get distracted. Don’t try to do “too much.”

Where To Go From Here

If you see yourself in this and want help sorting out what’s really going on in your body, the next step I recommend is an Inflammation and Autoimmunity Assessment.

In that visit, we walk through your symptoms, history, and Repair Deficit picture in detail, then outline the foundations and testing I’d prioritize in your situation. You can see available times and book your Assessment here.

As always, discuss any changes with your own licensed clinician. Read our full disclaimers, disclosures, and our position on health freedom here.

Until next time, be well,

Dr. Stillman

Educational content only. Not medical advice. See full disclaimers.

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