Young Forever: The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life (The Dr. Mark Hyman Library Book 11)

by Mark Hyman

This can result in increased risk of heart disease, memory loss, depression, fatigue, muscle loss, low libido, hair loss, constipation, and dry skin and hair. Gluten and environmental toxins are common causes of thyroid dysfunction. Many who are diagnosed are not adequately treated because most physicians use the inactive form of thyroid, T4 or levothyroxine, which doesn’t work for everyone. It is important to do the correct tests (see Chapter 13) because most physicians just check TSH, which will miss many cases of thyroid dysfunction. I have written an ebook, The Ultra Thyroid Solution, that explains in detail how to assess thyroid dysfunction, identify the causes, and optimally treat the thyroid. You can learn more at drhyman.com/ty-thyroid. If you need thyroid replacement, here’s what I recommend. 1. Use bioidentical thyroid replacement. 2. Use a combination of levothyroxine (T4), the inactive hormone, and liothyronine (T3), the active hormone. Dosing must be personalized and adjusted with your doctor. 3. Ideally use desiccated porcine thyroid, which contains all the compounds in the appropriate balance to support optimal thyroid function, including T4, T3, and T2. Brands include Armour Thyroid and Nature-Throid.