Thyroid Health 101: Hashimoto's and Beyond with Dr. Arti Thangudu
Apr 29, 2024
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Dr. Arti Thangudu, an endocrinology specialist, discusses thyroid health, covering topics like types of thyroid diseases, testing, treatments, red flags to avoid misinformation, and nutrition/lifestyle strategies. Chapters explore thyroid functions, testing challenges, iodine/selenium importance, T3 medication benefits, and debunking myths.
Accurate testing is crucial for diagnosing thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Understanding the production of thyroid hormones T3 and T4 is essential for appreciating the thyroid's role in regulating bodily functions.
Balanced nutrition, iodine intake, and careful medication management are key aspects of optimizing thyroid health and treatment efficacy.
Deep dives
The Importance of Understanding Thyroid Function and Testing
The podcast episode discusses the misconceptions surrounding full thyroid panels. It clarifies that there is no standardized full thyroid panel but individual tests tailored to each person's needs. Dr. Thunguru, an endocrinologist, sheds light on thyroid function, hormones produced by the thyroid, and the importance of accurate testing to diagnose conditions like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Exploring Thyroid Function and Hormone Production
The thyroid is highlighted as a vital organ affecting metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, cold and heat intolerance, mood, and more. Dr. Thunguru explains the production of thyroid hormones T3 and T4, the significance of active T3, and dispels myths around reverse T3's impact on thyroid function. The episode emphasizes the complex interplay of these hormones in regulating the body.
Nutrition and Supplements in Thyroid Care
The discussion extends to the role of nutrition and supplements in thyroid health. The importance of iodine, soy, cruciferous vegetables, and gluten are explored. Dr. Thunguru advises on iodine intake from iodized salt, warns against excess iodine supplementation, and clarifies misconceptions regarding soy, cruciferous vegetables, and gluten in thyroid management.
Medications and Treatment Approaches for Thyroid Conditions
The podcast delves into medication options for managing thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism. It covers synthetic T4, its variants, and the potential need for T3 supplementation. Dr. Thunguru addresses the use of compounded medications, desiccated thyroid formulations, alternative medications, and the considerations for optimizing treatment efficacy while minimizing risks.
Final Advice on Thyroid Care and Testing
In concluding the episode, there's an emphasis on holistic thyroid care combining medication with lifestyle modifications. The importance of accurate testing, proper diagnosis, and avoiding unnecessary testing is highlighted. Dr. Thunguru provides insights into navigating commercial testing, dispelling myths around excessive thyroid testing, and promoting a balanced approach to thyroid management.
I am so excited to welcome a very special guest to the show today Dr. Arti Thagudu. Dr. Thangudu is a triple board-certified physician and is a specialist in endocrinology, diabetes, and thyroid disease the founder of Complete Medicine, a direct care endocrinology practice based out of Texas, and Hey Healthy, a company providing accessible and supportive diabetes and hormonal care for self-insured businesses.
Dr. Thangudu is a wealth of information on a variety of topics, but I invited her on the show today to talk all about the thyroid because this is a hot topic that I often get questions about.
So today, we are going to discuss:
What the thyroid is and what it does
The different types of thyroid diseases and the signs and symptoms of each
How to test for thyroid disease
Available treatments for thyroid disease
Red flags to look out for to avoid thyroid misinformation
Nutrition and lifestyle strategies for improving thyroid health
You can follow Dr. Thangudu on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/drartithangudu/