LKN Functional Medicine w/ Leah O’Connor – Understanding Thyroid Imbalance Through a Functional Medicine Lens

LKN Functional Medicine w/ Leah O'Connor

Thyroid disorders are more common than many realize, and they can have a serious impact with your energy, mood, weight, and even mental clarity. Functional medicine takes a big picture approach at both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), aiming to uncover why the thyroid is misfiring in the first place. Instead of just suppressing symptoms with medications, this approach seeks to restore balance by addressing root causes. Whether they’re nutritional, environmental, hormonal, or immune-related, we create a personalized plan designed specifically for you.

Who Can Benefit from Functional Medicine
Who Can Benefit from Functional Medicine

Hypothyroidism: More Than Just Low Thyroid Hormones

Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism

If you’re dealing with fatigue, dry skin, constipation, depression, or unexplained weight gain, you could be experiencing hypothyroidism. Most often, it’s tied to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition. Functional medicine views this as more than a thyroid issue—it’s a sign of broader immune dysregulation. Our knowledgeable practitioners often investigate gut health (since around 70% of the immune system resides in the gut), chronic inflammation, and nutrient status to help find where imbalances may occur. Helpful interventions might include a gluten-free or autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet, selenium and/or zinc supplementation, gut repair protocols, and adaptogens to support stress resilience.

Hyperthyroidism: Calming an Overactive System

Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism

On the flip side, symptoms like anxiety, heart palpitations, heat intolerance, trembling hands, and unintentional weight loss may point to hyperthyroidism. Graves’ disease, another autoimmune disorder, is the most common root cause of these symptoms. Functional medicine focuses on calming the immune system and identifying triggers such as chronic viral infections (like Epstein-Barr), mold toxicity, or high environmental toxin load. Dietary changes often involve reducing iodine intake, increasing antioxidant-rich foods, and possibly eliminating gluten and dairy. Targeted supplements can help support the body and ease symptoms, while lifestyle changes like yoga, breathwork, and sleep hygiene help regulate the nervous system.

Testing and Personalization Are Key

Many conventional doctors only check TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), but that doesn’t give the full picture. Functional medicine labs typically run a full thyroid panel—including Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies (TPO and TgAb). Additional testing can look at adrenal health (via cortisol levels), gut health (stool tests, SIBO breath tests), food sensitivities, and heavy metals. With this information, our practitioners at MediThrive Personalized Wellness can create a personalized plan that may include targeted supplements, detox protocols, hormone balancing, dietary guidance, and stress management strategies tailored to each patient’s biology.

Functional Medicine Lab Testing
Functional Medicine Lab Testing

A Functional Medicine Approach to Thyroid Issues

Functional medicine isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and it’s not a quick fix. However, it offers something deeper with in-depth testing and analysis. Whether you’re just starting to explore your thyroid health, or you’ve been struggling for years, this root-cause approach empowers you to become an active participant in your own healing. With consistency, education, and thyroid support, many people see improvements not only in thyroid numbers but in energy levels, mood stability, digestion, sleep, and overall vitality. 

Thyroid Lab Testing
Thyroid Lab Testing

Long-Term Healing, Not Just Quick Fixes

At MediThrive Personalized Wellness, Our goal is to work with your body to restore balance and long-term wellness. Contact us today at(980) 580-6070to schedule a consultationBy addressing thyroid conditions in a personalized, comprehensive, and holistic manner, our functional medicine providers help our patients not only manage symptoms but also restore balance and vitality. It’s your time to thrive.

Leah O'Connor - MediThrive
Leah O’Connor – MediThrive

Leah Griffin O’Connor –  Wellness Care Strategist 

Leah has deep family roots in the Lake Norman area, fostering a strong connection and commitment to her community. With a longtime interest and passion for functional nutrition and lifestyle, she holds a profound belief in the power of functional medicine.

Outside of work, she enjoys being with her family and friends, spending time on the lake, and traveling. Leah is dedicated to enhancing the patient experience and creating awareness for MediThrive’s solutions to help others unlock their wellness potential.  Leah looks forward to watching MediThrive help others feel their best and thrive

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