Factor 1
Nutritional deficiencies
Your thyroid needs iodine to make hormone, selenium and zinc to convert T4 into active T3, and iron and vitamin D to work well. Low levels are common and easy to miss.
What we look at
Looking beyond TSH
Our Philosophy
Your thyroid depends on more than the thyroid gland. How your body converts, transports and uses its hormones decides how you feel.
Three systems
Three systems, one thyroid
Thyroid
Making T4, and in Hashimoto's, the immune system attacking the gland itself.
Body
The gut and liver convert T4 into active T3, while nutrients, blood sugar and the adrenals decide how well that conversion works.
Brain
The brain controls the thyroid through TSH, and it is where low thyroid is felt first: energy, mood and focus.
Thyroid symptoms rarely have one cause. That is why we look at all three.
Five contributing factors
What holds your thyroid back
These five factors affect how your thyroid makes, converts and uses its hormones. We test for the ones your history and results point to.
Factor 2
Blood sugar imbalances
Blood sugar swings and insulin resistance strain the adrenals, slow T4 to T3 conversion and fuel inflammation.
What we look at
Factor 3
Adrenal function
Long-term stress raises cortisol, which slows TSH, reduces conversion and increases reverse T3, the "brake" form of the hormone.
What we look at
Factor 4
Gut function
Gut bacteria play a part in activating thyroid hormone, and gut problems affect how well you absorb nutrients and medication. Gut health also influences thyroid autoimmunity.
What we look at
Factor 5
Liver function
The liver is a major site where T4 is converted into active T3. A sluggish liver can leave you symptomatic on a "normal" dose.
What we look at
Why standard testing can miss the picture
TSH is only the start
A standard test usually measures TSH, and sometimes free T4. It doesn't measure how much active T3 you make, reverse T3, or thyroid antibodies.
TSH
The brain's signal to the thyroid. Useful, but it doesn't show what happens next.
Free T4 & T3
How much hormone you make, and how much is converted into the active form.
Reverse T3
The inactive "brake" form, often raised by stress, illness and dieting.
Antibodies
TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies, which show whether Hashimoto's is driving the problem.
Three disciplines
How we work
Functional Medicine
A whole-system approach that asks why your thyroid is struggling, then measures and corrects the drivers.
Functional Neurology
Looking at the brain–thyroid connection, and at how low thyroid affects energy, mood and focus.
Lifestyle Medicine
A dietary protocol, sleep and stress support that keep the gains going long term.
We work alongside your GP and never advise stopping or changing prescribed thyroid medication without their involvement.
Close to home
This approach, close to home in North Wales
From our Llandudno clinic we see people from Conwy, Colwyn Bay, Bangor, Anglesey and North Wales, with online consultations across the UK. The process is the same either way: your profile and history, functional blood chemistry, targeted tests, a written plan and regular reviews.
Not sure where to start?
The Thyroid Profile is an online symptom assessment that scores six areas, from thyroid and gut to blood sugar and adrenals, with an instant personal PDF report. Your £12 is refunded when you book a Discovery Consultation.
Still struggling with your thyroid?
The sooner you understand what is holding your thyroid back, the more can be done.
Book a Discovery Consultation