Signs You Can Stop Taking Thyroid Medication

The Dr. Westin Childs Podcast

Early research suggests that up to 30% of thyroid patients currently taking thyroid medication may not need it. That’s great and all but what does that mean for you? How can you tell if you are in that lucky 30%? Well, if you’ve ever wondered about that I’ve got some good news for you: We have some signs that, if present, indicate that you have a higher likelihood of getting off of your thyroid medication. In addition to these positive signs, we also have some negative ones as well and today I’m going to go over both. Before we jump in, you should be aware that this data is still emerging so it’s subject to change as we get more information. If it does change then you can bet I will provide you with that updated information but, for now, this is what we have. These positive signs indicate you have a higher likelihood of getting off and staying off of thyroid medication: - If you’ve been using thyroid medication for less than 4 years. - If you had a normal free T4 on diagnosis. - If your current TSH is less than 1.8. - If you are taking a low dose of thyroid medication (usually less than 50 mcg). - If you are a woman (women are 2x more likely to get off their thyroid medication). These are unfavorable signs: - If you have a heterogenous thyroid on ultrasound. - If you have positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies with diffuse echogenicity on thyroid ultrasound. - If your TSH was greater than 8 at the time of diagnosis. - If your treated TSH is greater than 9. - If you were diagnosed at a young age. - If you had a positive thyroglobulin antibody level at the time of diagnosis. The presence or absence of any of these signs doesn’t guarantee anything so don’t get discouraged if you have a lot of negative signs and few positive signs. #thyroid #thyroidmedication #levothyroxine #synthroid #thyroidproblems #hashimoto #hashimotosthyroiditis #hashimotosdisease Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): https://www.restartmed.com/start-here/ Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function: - Supplements that everyone with hypothyroidism needs: https://bit.ly/3tekPej - Supplement bundle to help reverse Hashimoto’s: https://bit.ly/3gSY9eJ - Supplements for those without a thyroid and for those after RAI: https://bit.ly/3tb36nZ - Supplements for active hyperthyroidism: https://bit.ly/3t70yHo See ALL of my specialized supplements including protein powders, thyroid supplements, and weight loss products here: https://www.restartmed.com/shop/ Want more from my blog? I have more than 400+ well-researched blog posts on thyroid management, hormone balancing, weight loss, and more. See all blog posts here: https://www.restartmed.com/blog/ Prefer to listen via podcast? Download all of my podcast episodes here: https://apple.co/3kNYTCS Disclaimer: Dr. Westin Childs received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic medicine in 2013. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Childs is no longer practicing medicine and does not hold an active medical license so he can focus on helping people through videos, blog posts, research, and supplement formulation. To read more about why he is no longer licensed please see this page: https://www.restartmed.com/what-happened-to-my-medical-license/ This video is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Childs and you. You should not make any changes to your medications or health regimens without first consulting a physician. If you have any questions please consult with your current primary care provider