Doctors will not always order all the labs that YOU know you need to get a full picture of what’s going on with your thyroid. Thankfully, as the CEO of your own health, you can now order the labs that you want! This episode will tell you exactly how to do it. (Please check your own country. This might be applicable to just the USA.)

You will find this episode below in audio format and a written summary because I know not everyone is an audio learner. Some links may be affiliate links that will support me without increasing your price.

Each episode of Health with Hashimoto’s is for informational and educational purposes. Please discuss any questions or concerns with your trusted healthcare professional.

MENTIONED ON THIS EPISODE:

Eva’s link through Ulta Lab Tests

RELATED EPISODES

002 // Just diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis? Three things to do today.

003 // What do my thyroid labs mean?

009 // Vitamin D & Autoimmune Disease

FREE DOWNLOAD: Hashimoto’s 101 is your free guide to understanding Hashimoto’s thyroiditis so that you can create a path to health.

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ORDERING YOUR OWN LABS:

1. Decide what you need/want.

2. Order from an independent practitioner like Eva (Elohim Wellness) who partners with Ulta Lab Tests.

– I wanted all the helpful thyroid labs as well as a few others like vitamin D, iron, A1C, and a few more so I chose to order the “Thyroid Foundation Panel plus thyroid panel add-on.” This is not medical advice. You might want something else. My panel did not look at levels of inflammation (C-reactive protein, or CRP, can be one way to look at this.)

3. Select where you’ll get your blood drawn. (I chose a mobile lab and she came to my house.)

4. Get your results online in a few days.

5. You can have Eva provide an excellent overview of what your labs mean from a holistic perspective. I love how she looks at how different nutrients impact others. She’s so helpful!

6. Use all of this info to formulate a plan for your next steps in your wellness journey.

Before We Begin—This Might be Specific to the USA

I have a quick note before I get into the episode, I recorded this from my perspective in the United States. And it was only after I finished recording that I realized that this might not be applicable to you if you don’t live in the United States. Each country has their own regulations on what’s allowed and what’s not allowed. And some countries are more in your business and controlling it than others. I think it’s only been in the last couple years that the United States has actually allowed this autonomy in ordering your own labs. So we’re gonna dive into the episode and I apologize that this does not apply to every single one of my listeners.

You Are In Charge of Your Own Health

Nobody else can take care of your health for you. You can have input, you can have advisors, you can have people on your team, but you are in charge of your own health. So today, let’s talk about ordering your own lab work and making sure that you get what you need. I’m gonna tell you how to do it, how to get your results, how to interpret your results, so that you can take action as the CEO of your own health.

Welcome to the health of Hashimotos podcast. This is where you exhausted, overwhelmed, tired. Learn simple, true and sustainable things that you can do on your path to whole health.

Thyroid Labs Are Helpful

Lab work is kind of this area that we have just given over to doctors in the past, I don’t know forever years. It’s not something that most people feel like they can just go in and get their own labs. And a lot of people who have Hashimoto’s or thyroid problems find that they have arguments with their provider when the provider only wants to order a TSH test. But the TSH test only tells your brain to tell your thyroid to make more energy. It doesn’t tell you how much inactive or active thyroid, or even if you have antibodies. There are many other parts of your health that you need to know about.

Not All Providers Order Reverse-T3 or Other Important Thyroid Labs

One of those things is the reverse-T3. This is important because it tells you how much of the inactive form of T3 is in your body and how much of the active form of T3 is in your body. The active form of T3 is like the gas pedal in your car, and the reverse-T3 is like the brake pedal. It helps your body rest, recover, and heal. Many providers don’t order the reverse-T3 because they don’t see it as important. But it’s essential if you have Hashimoto’s.

If you don’t yet have the Hashimoto’s 101 guide, get it now. It is a free PDF that can help you know what your labs mean and what to do on day one if you are diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. This document will guide you as you begin your journey towards better health.

You Deserve to Know What is Going On

It’s important to know that you are the boss of your own health. You need to understand what your labs mean, what tests you need to order, and how to interpret your results. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and your health. You deserve to know what’s going on in your body.

If you have listened to episode three, you know about how your thyroid and labs work. And if you have that Hashimoto’s 101 guide, you know the labs that you want; now it’s time to get the labs.

Choosing a Provider Who Can Give You the Care You Need

As mentioned in previous episodes, TSH alone isn’t enough to get a full picture of your thyroid health. Unfortunately, some providers are still only looking at TSH and not ordering the necessary labs to assess the whole picture. If your provider is not on board with ordering these labs, it may be time to seek out someone who is. Your health is too important to not have a provider who understands the complexities of Hashimoto’s and the thyroid.

Due to the limitations set by insurance companies, providers may only have seven to nine minutes with you in a visit. This isn’t enough time to give you the personalized care you may need, especially when dealing with a complex condition like Hashimoto’s. This time limit is ridiculous and it is because of insurance companies, not because of your doctor. That is why I choose to use a provider who is outside of insurance.

My provider is not limited to what the insurance company tells her that she can do with me. She can spend as much time as she wants with me. She can order whatever labs she wants, and then I pay her. Yes, it’s more out of pocket. It’s definitely an inconvenience in this world where we have you know really grown accustomed to just go into the doctor giving our insurance card and paying just a little bit. But when the health care system is broken, you have to do something else. And so that is what I have chosen to do for my care.

when the health care system is broken, you have to do something else.

As someone with thyroid problems and an autoimmune problem, I need a provider who can spend time with me, I need a provider who can actually give good input on my plan of care who can be an advisor and see things that I don’t see. That’s what we have advisors for.

Ordering Your Own Labs Online

Thanks to modern technology, it’s now possible to order your own labs online without the need for a provider. In episode three, you heard me talk about my friend Eva. She has a link that I used to order my own labs. I clicked her link I looked at the panels available; specific lab panels test for a combination of necessary markers so that you can get a better picture of your thyroid health.

What Labs to Look For with Hashimoto’s

When ordering labs for Hashimoto’s, it’s important to not just focus on TSH alone. You’ll want to look for panels that include markers like free T3, free T4, vitamin D, iron, A1C, and selenium, to name a few. Reverse T3 is also a vital marker to look for when dealing with Hashimoto’s specifically, as it reveals how much energy your body is prioritizing towards energy versus healing and recovery. By focusing on the right labs, you can get a more comprehensive picture of your thyroid health and develop a personalized plan to support your body’s needs.

Sleep Affects Hashimoto’s and Thyroid Labs

In this podcast, one theme that comes up repeatedly is the importance of giving your body what it needs to be able to do its own job. This can involve activating certain pathways within your body with Protandim, Nrf1 and Nrf2, or simply making sure you get adequate sleep so your body can function properly. Sleep is vital for giving your body the opportunity to heal, repair and even clean out your brain. In fact, not getting enough sleep can lead to conditions such as Alzheimer’s. If you want to have sharp mental focus you need to make sure that you’re getting good sleep every night or at least do your best to enable the best sleep possible.

As someone with Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid, sleep was one area that I knew I needed to work on when I was diagnosed a year ago. I used an Ōura Ring to monitor my sleep cycles. I was so shocked to find out that my deep sleep was just teeny tiny. It was not the 20% that is recommended for what you need each night. I have done a lot on my deep sleep and on my sleep in general. I am to a point where I am consistently getting 13-18% deep sleep each night.

Another important factor when it comes to Hashimoto’s and overall health is stress. An increase in stress levels can have negative impacts on your body, including thyroid function. I used my Ōura Ring to measure my heart rate variability, which is one indication of your stress levels. And my heart rate variability has gotten much worse due to my huge flare event that I had, which is resolved now. And I’m working now on decreasing my stress. So I’m very interested to see how my Reverse-T3 indicates my stress level is at.

Track Your Thyroid Labs and Progress

When it comes to Hashimoto’s, it’s crucial to monitor your thyroid labs regularly. These labs can include T3, T4, free-T3, free-T4, and reverse-T3. T4 is the primary thyroid hormone, while T3 is the active form. Free T3 and free T4 refer to the amount of hormone that’s available in your body. Reverse T3, on the other hand, is produced when T4 is converted into a reverse form that can block T3 receptors.

Regularly monitoring your thyroid labs can help you determine if your thyroid is functioning properly and whether or not any medication or lifestyle changes are necessary. If you have Hashimoto’s, it’s especially important to keep an eye on your levels, as the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and can lead to fluctuations in hormone production.

Take Control of Your Health

Living with Hashimoto’s means paying close attention to your body and taking steps to manage your condition. Adequate sleep and a decrease in stress can make a big difference in your overall health. Monitoring your thyroid labs can help you stay on top of your thyroid function and make necessary adjustments. Taking control of your health is key to living a fulfilling life with Hashimoto’s.

Understanding Your Thyroid Labs with Hashimoto’s Helps You Take Action

Getting your lab work done might seem intimidating, but it can give you valuable information on your health. By understanding your lab results, you can take action to improve your health. For example, if your vitamin D levels are low, you may need to take action to increase them.

As the CEO of your health, you have the power to make informed decisions about your body. But with so much information out there, it can be hard to know where to start. To help you get started, download the Hashimoto’s 101 Guide. This guide outlines simple and sustainable steps for people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis to take control of their health.

When to Schedule a Hashimoto’s Health Session

Sometimes, you need guidance from a healthcare professional. In a Hashimoto’s health session, I can help you understand your current health situation and the steps you can take towards better health. These sessions aim to give you simple and sustainable tips that you can implement right away.

Get Help Interpreting Your Lab Results

Lab results can give you great insight into your health. However, interpreting lab results can be tricky. Fortunately, my friend Eva is an expert in interpreting lab results. She can help you understand how different factors impact your health. Eva has a holistic approach to health, so she can help you see the big picture.

Even though you are the CEO of your health, you don’t have to handle it alone. With healthcare professionals like Eva on your team, you can get advice and support as you work towards better health. When you use Eva’s lab link to get your labs done, you have the option to talk to her for help interpreting the results.

You Don’t Have to do this Alone

Understanding your thyroid labs is a crucial step in taking control of your health. With the right information and guidance, you can make informed decisions about your health and take action toward better health. Remember, you don’t have to do it alone. With the help of healthcare professionals like Eva, you can achieve your health goals and enjoy a better quality of life.

Start with the Basics

If you are struggling with Hashimoto’s, resources like the Hashimotos 101 guide and Hashimotos health sessions can be a great help. These resources can give you a better understanding of what Hashimoto’s is and how you can manage it. Getting the basics is always the first step in addressing any health concerns.

When it comes to Hashimoto’s, it is crucial to understand your thyroid labs. These labs can give you a clear picture of your thyroid health and what interventions may be needed. Labs to consider are T3, T4, free-T3, free-T4, and reverse-T3.

Knowing How to Interpret Your Labs

It is important to interpret your labs effectively. Some providers may not be knowledgeable about Hashimoto’s or may not be able to order the full lab panels you need. An independent practitioner or Hashimoto’s expert like Eva can help you properly interpret your lab results and take steps to improve your thyroid health.

Finding Balance in Lab Testing

It is important to strike a balance when it comes to lab testing and not take things too far. While getting a full picture of your health is crucial, over-testing can also be detrimental to your health. Use common sense, aim for balance, and take action based on the information you have.

Support on Your Journey

Managing Hashimoto’s can be challenging, but you do not have to do it alone. Finding the right support can make all the difference. Whether you turn to resources like the Hashimotos 101 guide or seek the guidance of a Hashimoto’s expert, having someone on your team can give you the encouragement and direction you need to discover the next steps on your path to better health.

Consider Leaving a Review

If you have found this podcast or other resources helpful, consider leaving a review to help spread the word. Reviews not only mean a lot to the content creators but can also help more people discover the resources they need to manage their Hashimoto’s effectively.

This transcript is auto-generated by OtterAI and ChatGPT and may have slight errors.

Images used in this post include those by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash