Thyroid imbalances can be tricky.We understand.
Experiencing any of these?
- Low energy, no matter what
- Hair loss or brain fog
- Sensitivity to cold
- Bad sleep or unexplained weight gain
- Achy muscles and weakness
The Problem With Standard Care
One number can't tell the whole story
"Your TSH looks normal." But you still feel terrible.
Conventional blood tests look at a single marker, your TSH. If it’s within range, you may be told to retest in six months. If it’s out of range, a prescription may mask symptoms without ever addressing the cause.
Is this really the best healthcare can offer? We don’t think so. Our comprehensive thyroid program goes beyond standard care to find the root cause of your imbalance and help you heal.
Advanced Diagnostics
We check what others miss
Our integrative providers use lab ranges much narrower and more optimal than conventional medicine and test a comprehensive panel of thyroid markers. A more comprehensive evaluation may include tests such as:
TSH
free T3
free T4
rT3
TgAb
TPOAb
Your Personalized Plan
Treatment is more than a test and a prescription
Receiving an accurate diagnosis is just the beginning. Forum Health practitioners personalize treatment plans to your individual thyroid imbalances.
Our 360-degree, root-cause approach explores your genetics, environment, and lifestyle to help you take control of your thyroid health and start feeling like yourself again.
Our Integrative Approach
Two different paths
Manage symptoms. Wait and see.
Tends to rely heavily on thyroid medications to mask symptoms without addressing the underlying cause. This approach can leave you still feeling unwell and wondering why nothing is working.
VS
Find the root. Build a real plan.
Our specialists look at you as a whole person analyzing your advanced diagnostic results and uncovering the root cause. Your customized plan may include prescriptions, supplements, thyroid hormone therapy, and lifestyle modification.
Integrative Thyroid Specialist
Meet Dr. Bill Epperly, MD, FAAFP
Dr. Epperly is one of the integrative thyroid specialists who helps shape Forum Health’s approach to care. While you’ll be matched with a provider from our broader thyroid team, every plan is built on the same integrative philosophy he’s known for looking at the whole picture, not just one lab value.
Treatment Options
What your plan may include
No two thyroid imbalances are the same. After reviewing your comprehensive lab panel and full health history, your Forum Health provider will build a plan designed specifically for you.
Thyroid Hormone Therapy
IV Therapy
Low-Dose Immunotherapy
Nutraceutical Supplements
Toxin Elimination
TgAb
Conditions We Treat
You are not alone
The American Thyroid Association reports that more than 25% of Americans have an under-diagnosed or under-treated thyroid condition. Forum Health treats the full spectrum of thyroid disease.
Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
Hashimoto's Disease
Graves' Disease
Thyroiditis
Goiters
Nodules
Thyroid Cancer Screening
25%
of Americans have an under-diagnosed or under-treated thyroid condition, yet most never receive comprehensive testing. You deserve more than a single data point.
Reclaim your energy. Restore your metabolism.
Start with a comprehensive thyroid consultation — and get the answers you’ve been looking for.
Common Questions
What patients ask us
Thyroid health is complex and often confusing after years of standard care that hasn’t provided answers. Here are the questions we hear most.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms may include anxiety, irritability, trouble sleeping, difficulty losing weight, an enlarged thyroid gland or goiter, muscle weakness and tremors, sensitivity to heat, irregular menstrual periods or having your menstrual cycle stop
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms may include fatigue, weight gain, brain fog or forgetfulness, dry and coarse hair, hoarse voice, feeling cold or an intolerance to cold, and frequent and heavy menstrual periods.
Thyroid problems are an epidemic right now. 90% of low thyroid (hypothyroidism) is autoimmune, which is a condition called Hashimoto’s disease. Hashimoto’s is not a problem with your thyroid itself, but the immune system attacking the thyroid. Conventional medicine uses the same treatment protocol for autoimmune and non-autoimmune thyroid dysfunction.
At Forum Health, we understand there is a difference and that if your condition is autoimmune, there is a different treatment plan. Many factors such as diet, gut health, toxins, infection, and stress are the root causes to this thyroid dysfunction and that’s what we address.
Yes, our providers look at the whole picture, including nutrient deficiencies. Below are the vital nutrients needed for optimal thyroid function. These nutrients help you produce thyroid hormones and support healthy immune function.
- Iodine
- Tyrosine
- Selenium
- Zinc
- Iron
- Vitamin A
- B vitamins
- Vitamin D
We also test hormone levels since stress hormones and estrogen levels have a remarkable impact on thyroid function. The primary stress hormone, cortisol, can lead to underproduction of thyroid hormones. This impacts thyroid receptors causing the thyroid hormones to stay in their inactive state where our body cannot use them properly.
Patients who suffer from adrenal fatigue, due to chronic stress, may also have some thyroid dysfunction. Women who are on birth control pills may also suffer from thyroid problems due to the excess estrogen that binds up the thyroid hormones.
To get a clearer picture of thyroid health, Forum Health providers often look beyond the standard TSH test. A more comprehensive evaluation may include tests such as TSH, free T3, free T4, Reverse T3, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Antibody testing can help identify conditions like Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune form of thyroid disease. Note: The specific labs ordered will depend on your provider’s clinical assessment and may vary based on your symptoms, history, and individual needs.
It’s also important to remember that thyroid care is not one-size-fits-all. Even when lab values fall within the “normal” range, some people may still experience symptoms of low thyroid function. Many providers evaluate results within a more individualized or “optimal” range, which can offer additional insight when symptoms and lab values do not seem to align.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes 5 days a week (in nature if you can)
- Learn stress reduction techniques, and minimize stress as much as possible
- Get at least 7 – 8 hours of sleep each night
- Eat a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet
- Minimize toxin exposures (and Fluoride).
- Do a comprehensive detoxification program once or twice a year to remove existing toxins from your body.
- Supplement with iodine (esp. In “goiter belt” states like Michigan) and other nutrients for added support, especially if your diet is lacking.
- Make an appointment with a Forum Health provider
Side effects of thyroid medication include fatigue, headaches, excessive sweating, nervousness, hot flashes/sensitivity to health, tremors and heart palpitations.
Long-term effects may include weight fluctuations, joint pain and even autoimmune dysfunction.
Like with any thyroid condition, our providers first perform comprehensive testing to develop a personalized plan to fit your needs. Treatment options may include thyroid hormone replacement therapy, supplements, IV therapy, detox program, low-dose immunotherapy or diet and nutrition counseling with a certified health coach.
