Thyroid health

What is the thyroid and why does it matter for your overall health?

Your thyroid is a small gland in your neck that plays a big role in keeping your body running smoothly. It produces hormones like T3 and T4, which influence everything from how fast you burn calories to how well you sleep. It’s your body’s thermostat, heart-rate manager, and energy regulator all in one.

When it’s working well, you likely don’t notice it at all. But when something’s off—like in hypothyroidism (underactive) or hyperthyroidism (overactive)—your whole system feels it. You might gain or lose weight unexpectedly, feel constantly tired or wired, and struggle with mood or menstrual changes.

Because thyroid issues often develop gradually, they’re easy to miss or mistake for stress, ageing, or burnout. That’s why getting to the root cause is crucial.

Which symptoms signal low or high thyroid function?

Common signs something’s not right with your thyroid include:

• Persistent fatigue, even after rest
• Feeling cold all the time (hypo) or overheated and sweaty (hyper)
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Brain fog, memory lapses, or difficulty concentrating
• Hair thinning, brittle nails, or dry skin
• Mood swings, anxiety, or low mood
• Irregular or heavy periods
• Constipation or frequent bowel movements
• Slowed heart rate (hypo) or rapid heartbeat (hyper)
• Puffy face or swollen neck (goitre)

What are the most common reasons behind thyroid dysfunction?

The most common root cause of thyroid dysfunction is autoimmunity, particularly Hashimoto’s thyroiditis for hypothyroidism and Graves’ disease for hyperthyroidism.

Other potential triggers include:

Nutrient deficiencies

• Low iodine, selenium, or zinc can disrupt hormone production.
• Vitamin D and iron (ferritin) also play key roles in thyroid function.

Chronic stress

• Long-term stress can dysregulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis.

Hormonal shifts

• Pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause can all trigger thyroid imbalances.

Toxin exposure

• Heavy metals, plastics, and pesticides can interfere with thyroid signalling.

Gut health issues

• Leaky gut, food sensitivities, and microbiome imbalances often go hand-in-hand with autoimmune thyroid issues.

How can you find out what’s really going on with your thyroid?

We go beyond basic TSH testing to get the full picture. Functional lab tests typically include:

• TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)
• Free T3 and Free T4 (active thyroid hormones)
• Anti-TPO and anti-TG antibodies (to assess autoimmunity)
• Nutritional deficiencies and mal absorption
• Cortisol levels (to understand

A consultation with a Functional Medicine Specialist can also reveal connections between your symptoms, lifestyle, and past health events—offering a deeper view into what’s really causing the imbalance.

What steps can support and protect your thyroid naturally?

Supporting your thyroid doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with these foundational strategies:

• Eat a whole food, nutrient-dense diet rich in selenium, iodine, zinc, and healthy fats
• Minimise gluten and processed foods if autoimmunity is suspected
• Prioritise sleep, ideally 7–9 hours per night
• Manage stress with mindfulness, nature time, or yoga
• Avoid endocrine-disrupting chemicals—switch to natural cleaning and skincare products
• Support gut health with fermented foods, fibre, and possibly a probiotic
• Move your body regularly, but avoid overtraining

What are the typical ways to restore healthy thyroid function?

Most conventional care focuses on replacing hormones—especially using synthetic T4 (levothyroxine). While this helps many, others need a more personalised plan.

A functional approach includes:

• Correcting nutrient deficiencies
• Supporting hormone conversion (T4 to T3)
• Healing the gut and calming the immune system
• Supporting adrenal health
• Sometimes using natural thyroid hormone combinations (T3/T4) if appropriate
• Cleanse the liver
• Remove heavy metals

Long-term healing often involves tracking symptoms alongside lab values and adjusting support as needed.

How do we address thyroid health for long-lasting results?

At Forbes.health, we believe thyroid healing is about more than symptom control. Here’s how we guide your journey:

• We identify the root causes—autoimmunity, nutrient gaps, gut health, hormonal imbalances, toxic overload
• You get personal support from a Functional Medicine Specialist
• We use advanced home lab testing to uncover what’s really driving your symptoms
• Nutrition, excercise, and lifestyle plans are tailored just for you
• You’ll receive clear, easy-to-follow advice and regular check-ins to track progress
• Digital tools help you stay on course and understand your results in plain language
• Regular retesting to monitor your progress

No confusing data. No guesswork. Just real answers and compassionate guidance.