Full Transcript Thyroid Dysfunction and Long COVID Overview 0:02 It's often an aggravation of thyroid, 0:02 It's often an aggravation of thyroid, but also there are other hormonal things 0:05 but also there are other hormonal things 0:05 but also there are other hormonal things that should be checked as well. 0:09 that should be checked as well. 0:09 that should be checked as well. Hey, I'm Dr. A, and on this channel we 0:11 Hey, I'm Dr. A, and on this channel we 0:11 Hey, I'm Dr. A, and on this channel we answer all sorts of questions focused 0:13 answer all sorts of questions focused 0:13 answer all sorts of questions focused around integrative medicine, 0:15 around integrative medicine, 0:15 around integrative medicine, naturopathic medicine, and things such 0:18 naturopathic medicine, and things such 0:18 naturopathic medicine, and things such as chronic illness, cancer, etc. The 0:22 as chronic illness, cancer, etc. The 0:22 as chronic illness, cancer, etc. The first thing that I will say is when it 0:24 first thing that I will say is when it 0:24 first thing that I will say is when it comes to thyroid trouble and long COVID, 0:27 comes to thyroid trouble and long COVID, 0:27 comes to thyroid trouble and long COVID, it could be the egg or it could be the 0:29 it could be the egg or it could be the 0:29 it could be the egg or it could be the chicken. And the reason I say that is 0:31 chicken. And the reason I say that is 0:31 chicken. And the reason I say that is there are times where we've had patients
Chicken or Egg: Pre-Existing vs New Thyroid Issues 0:34 there are times where we've had patients 0:34 there are times where we've had patients who had some thyroid trouble and then 0:37 who had some thyroid trouble and then 0:37 who had some thyroid trouble and then they got COVID and then they get long 0:39 they got COVID and then they get long 0:39 they got COVID and then they get long COVID and now their thyroid trouble is 0:43 COVID and now their thyroid trouble is 0:43 COVID and now their thyroid trouble is worse and their doctor just assumed, 0:45 worse and their doctor just assumed, 0:45 worse and their doctor just assumed, well, you always had thyroid problems 0:47 well, you always had thyroid problems 0:47 well, you always had thyroid problems and you've been on the thyroid hormone 0:49 and you've been on the thyroid hormone 0:49 and you've been on the thyroid hormone medicine and so that can't be part of 0:51 medicine and so that can't be part of 0:51 medicine and so that can't be part of your long COVID because we already fixed 0:53 your long COVID because we already fixed 0:53 your long COVID because we already fixed that problem, right? And then it turns 0:55 that problem, right? And then it turns 0:55 that problem, right? And then it turns out that their thyroid function is even 0:57 out that their thyroid function is even 0:57 out that their thyroid function is even worse than it was before. And so the 1:00 worse than it was before. And so the 1:00 worse than it was before. And so the medication or the treatments are not 1:02 medication or the treatments are not 1:02 medication or the treatments are not balanced well for that. And indeed the 1:04 balanced well for that. And indeed the 1:04 balanced well for that. And indeed the thyroid being undertreated or poorly 1:07 thyroid being undertreated or poorly 1:07 thyroid being undertreated or poorly treated is aggravating the fatigue and 1:10 treated is aggravating the fatigue and 1:10 treated is aggravating the fatigue and brain fog portions and other portions 1:12 brain fog portions and other portions 1:12 brain fog portions and other portions along COVID. So that would be one of the 1:15 along COVID. So that would be one of the 1:15 along COVID. So that would be one of the chicken and egg situations. The other is 1:17 chicken and egg situations. The other is 1:17 chicken and egg situations. The other is which we know now people who never had a 1:20 which we know now people who never had a 1:20 which we know now people who never had a thyroid problem in their life. They've 1:22 thyroid problem in their life. They've 1:22 thyroid problem in their life. They've been getting screened for thyroid 1:24 been getting screened for thyroid 1:24 been getting screened for thyroid troubles and everything's checked out. 1:26 troubles and everything's checked out. 1:26 troubles and everything's checked out. Everything's normal, normal, normal. 1:28 Everything's normal, normal, normal. 1:28 Everything's normal, normal, normal. We've had them have COVID spike protein 1:30 We've had them have COVID spike protein 1:30 We've had them have COVID spike protein injury, whatever, you know, triggered 1:32 injury, whatever, you know, triggered 1:32 injury, whatever, you know, triggered it, and then suddenly when they get long 1:35 it, and then suddenly when they get long 1:35 it, and then suddenly when they get long COVID or long COVID symptoms, somebody 1:38 COVID or long COVID symptoms, somebody 1:38 COVID or long COVID symptoms, somebody goes and they check their thyroid and 1:40 goes and they check their thyroid and 1:40 goes and they check their thyroid and the first time in their whole life, they 1:41 the first time in their whole life, they 1:42 the first time in their whole life, they now have new thyroid disorder. So that 1:44 now have new thyroid disorder. So that 1:44 now have new thyroid disorder. So that would be the other side of the chicken 1:46 would be the other side of the chicken 1:46 would be the other side of the chicken and egg. And I don't know in that 1:47 and egg. And I don't know in that 1:47 and egg. And I don't know in that analogy which is the chicken and which 1:49 analogy which is the chicken and which 1:49 analogy which is the chicken and which is the egg, but you get the point. So 1:50 is the egg, but you get the point. So 1:50 is the egg, but you get the point. So both of them can happen. Well then the
Why Thyroid Symptoms Overlap with Long COVID 1:52 both of them can happen. Well then the 1:52 both of them can happen. Well then the net effect is the same once you get 1:54 net effect is the same once you get 1:54 net effect is the same once you get there because the long COVID some of the 1:57 there because the long COVID some of the 1:57 there because the long COVID some of the most common symptoms are aggravated by 1:59 most common symptoms are aggravated by 1:59 most common symptoms are aggravated by thyroid dysfunction. Fatigue, brain fog, 2:02 thyroid dysfunction. Fatigue, brain fog, 2:02 thyroid dysfunction. Fatigue, brain fog, certain types of pain, dry skin, other 2:05 certain types of pain, dry skin, other 2:05 certain types of pain, dry skin, other things all are signs and symptoms of 2:07 things all are signs and symptoms of 2:07 things all are signs and symptoms of thyroid problems. Now is it always 2:10 thyroid problems. Now is it always 2:10 thyroid problems. Now is it always thyroid that creates these things? No, 2:12 thyroid that creates these things? No, 2:12 thyroid that creates these things? No, that's not how that works. It's often an 2:15 that's not how that works. It's often an 2:15 that's not how that works. It's often an aggravation of thyroid, but also there 2:17 aggravation of thyroid, but also there 2:17 aggravation of thyroid, but also there are other hormonal things that should be 2:19 are other hormonal things that should be 2:19 are other hormonal things that should be checked as well. But this question was
Why Thyroid Testing Is Often Missed 2:21 checked as well. But this question was 2:21 checked as well. But this question was specifically about thyroid. So we always 2:24 specifically about thyroid. So we always 2:24 specifically about thyroid. So we always talk to folks and and if it's a patient, 2:27 talk to folks and and if it's a patient, 2:27 talk to folks and and if it's a patient, make sure that they understand that 2:28 make sure that they understand that 2:28 make sure that they understand that look, if you have long COVID going on 2:31 look, if you have long COVID going on 2:31 look, if you have long COVID going on and you've had any reason the spike 2:33 and you've had any reason the spike 2:34 and you've had any reason the spike protein levels have risen and that might 2:36 protein levels have risen and that might 2:36 protein levels have risen and that might be part of your problem. Among many 2:38 be part of your problem. Among many 2:38 be part of your problem. Among many things that we should check, one is your 2:41 things that we should check, one is your 2:41 things that we should check, one is your thyroid. And in a lot of cases, we'll 2:43 thyroid. And in a lot of cases, we'll 2:43 thyroid. And in a lot of cases, we'll see people come out and they've been 2:45 see people come out and they've been 2:45 see people come out and they've been maybe to their primary care and they've 2:47 maybe to their primary care and they've 2:47 maybe to their primary care and they've got long COVID and they've done a big 2:48 got long COVID and they've done a big 2:48 got long COVID and they've done a big panel of labs and you look and you say, 2:51 panel of labs and you look and you say, 2:51 panel of labs and you look and you say, "Well, the thyroid's missing here." And 2:53 "Well, the thyroid's missing here." And 2:54 "Well, the thyroid's missing here." And the patient will say, "Well, they said, 2:55 the patient will say, "Well, they said, 2:55 the patient will say, "Well, they said, you know, I've never had thyroid 2:57 you know, I've never had thyroid 2:57 you know, I've never had thyroid problems, so why check it now?" Well, in 2:59 problems, so why check it now?" Well, in 2:59 problems, so why check it now?" Well, in the literature, but also just from what, 3:01 the literature, but also just from what, 3:01 the literature, but also just from what, you know, most of us who deal with 3:03 you know, most of us who deal with 3:03 you know, most of us who deal with chronic illness have seen, the 3:05 chronic illness have seen, the 3:05 chronic illness have seen, the experience of COVID and spike protein 3:07 experience of COVID and spike protein 3:07 experience of COVID and spike protein exposure can turn you into having a 3:09 exposure can turn you into having a 3:09 exposure can turn you into having a thyroid problem. So the first thing is 3:12 thyroid problem. So the first thing is 3:12 thyroid problem. So the first thing is you know first do no harm make sure
Essential Thyroid Labs to Check 3:14 you know first do no harm make sure 3:14 you know first do no harm make sure their problem is or is not there. Now if 3:16 their problem is or is not there. Now if 3:16 their problem is or is not there. Now if you check the person out and there's no 3:18 you check the person out and there's no 3:18 you check the person out and there's no thyroid problems in their labs then 3:21 thyroid problems in their labs then 3:21 thyroid problems in their labs then there may be other things but in many 3:23 there may be other things but in many 3:23 there may be other things but in many many cases there's a couple of options 3:26 many cases there's a couple of options 3:26 many cases there's a couple of options with the thyroid that need to be looked 3:28 with the thyroid that need to be looked 3:28 with the thyroid that need to be looked at. One is did it get tested at all? So 3:31 at. One is did it get tested at all? So 3:31 at. One is did it get tested at all? So that's sort of the standard TSH andor 3:33 that's sort of the standard TSH andor 3:33 that's sort of the standard TSH andor TSH plus T4. Those are kind of the 3:35 TSH plus T4. Those are kind of the 3:36 TSH plus T4. Those are kind of the standard screening tests. We also now 3:38 standard screening tests. We also now 3:38 standard screening tests. We also now know, however, that new autoimmunity can 3:41 know, however, that new autoimmunity can 3:41 know, however, that new autoimmunity can be created during the COVID spike
Autoimmune Thyroiditis After COVID 3:44 be created during the COVID spike 3:44 be created during the COVID spike protein exposure period. And so 3:47 protein exposure period. And so 3:47 protein exposure period. And so autoimmune thyroiditis, it can be a 3:49 autoimmune thyroiditis, it can be a 3:49 autoimmune thyroiditis, it can be a brand new thing in that setting, too. 3:51 brand new thing in that setting, too. 3:51 brand new thing in that setting, too. Well, that doesn't always show up with 3:53 Well, that doesn't always show up with 3:53 Well, that doesn't always show up with the TSH and T4 test. And so, you need to 3:56 the TSH and T4 test. And so, you need to 3:56 the TSH and T4 test. And so, you need to do the thyroid antibodies as well. So, 3:58 do the thyroid antibodies as well. So, 3:58 do the thyroid antibodies as well. So, when we're doing that, we add the 4:00 when we're doing that, we add the 4:00 when we're doing that, we add the thyroid antibodies to the TSH T4. Also, 4:03 thyroid antibodies to the TSH T4. Also, 4:03 thyroid antibodies to the TSH T4. Also, it can mess with your conversion of T4 4:06 it can mess with your conversion of T4 4:06 it can mess with your conversion of T4 to T3 hormone. T3 being the active one.
T4 to T3 Conversion Problems 4:09 to T3 hormone. T3 being the active one. 4:09 to T3 hormone. T3 being the active one. So, normally we check not just TSH and 4:12 So, normally we check not just TSH and 4:12 So, normally we check not just TSH and T4, but also T3. And then the thyroid 4:15 T4, but also T3. And then the thyroid 4:15 T4, but also T3. And then the thyroid antibodies. And then there's one more, 4:17 antibodies. And then there's one more, 4:17 antibodies. And then there's one more, and this is the sneaky tricky one. This 4:19 and this is the sneaky tricky one. This 4:19 and this is the sneaky tricky one. This is a test that only really is relevant 4:21 is a test that only really is relevant
The Role of Reverse T3 in Chronic Illness 4:22 is a test that only really is relevant to chronically ill people, but people 4:23 to chronically ill people, but people 4:23 to chronically ill people, but people with long COVID you can put into the 4:25 with long COVID you can put into the 4:25 with long COVID you can put into the chronically ill basket. And it's 4:27 chronically ill basket. And it's 4:27 chronically ill basket. And it's something called reverse T3. So he said 4:29 something called reverse T3. So he said 4:29 something called reverse T3. So he said T3 is the active thyroid hormone that 4:32 T3 is the active thyroid hormone that 4:32 T3 is the active thyroid hormone that the body converts from T4 binds at your 4:35 the body converts from T4 binds at your 4:35 the body converts from T4 binds at your mitochondria and at the nuclear 4:37 mitochondria and at the nuclear 4:37 mitochondria and at the nuclear membranes in around where your DNA is 4:39 membranes in around where your DNA is 4:40 membranes in around where your DNA is made and stuff in your cells. There is 4:42 made and stuff in your cells. There is 4:42 made and stuff in your cells. There is under stress, so chronic illness created 4:45 under stress, so chronic illness created 4:45 under stress, so chronic illness created a blocking hormone called reverse T3. 4:48 a blocking hormone called reverse T3. 4:48 a blocking hormone called reverse T3. It's the anti-T3. So you can have normal 4:51 It's the anti-T3. So you can have normal 4:51 It's the anti-T3. So you can have normal T3 floating around and then reverse T3 4:53 T3 floating around and then reverse T3 4:53 T3 floating around and then reverse T3 will come along and if your body's under 4:55 will come along and if your body's under 4:55 will come along and if your body's under a lot of stress, it raises the reverse 4:57 a lot of stress, it raises the reverse 4:57 a lot of stress, it raises the reverse T3 levels. It will block the T3 from 5:00 T3 levels. It will block the T3 from 5:00 T3 levels. It will block the T3 from binding. So your thyroid hormones look 5:02 binding. So your thyroid hormones look 5:02 binding. So your thyroid hormones look normal, your TSH may be normal, your T4 5:04 normal, your TSH may be normal, your T4 5:04 normal, your TSH may be normal, your T4 and T3 may be totally normal, your 5:06 and T3 may be totally normal, your 5:06 and T3 may be totally normal, your antibodies may be normal, but your body 5:08 antibodies may be normal, but your body 5:08 antibodies may be normal, but your body feels like it's hypothyroid because the 5:10 feels like it's hypothyroid because the 5:10 feels like it's hypothyroid because the reverse T3 keeps elevating. So when 5:12 reverse T3 keeps elevating. So when 5:12 reverse T3 keeps elevating. So when we're checking people for this, do they 5:15 we're checking people for this, do they 5:15 we're checking people for this, do they have a new thyroid problem? We don't 5:16 have a new thyroid problem? We don't 5:16 have a new thyroid problem? We don't just do the screening test. We do TSH.
Complete Thyroid Panel for Long COVID Patients 5:19 just do the screening test. We do TSH. 5:19 just do the screening test. We do TSH. We check the hormones T3 and T4. We 5:22 We check the hormones T3 and T4. We 5:22 We check the hormones T3 and T4. We check the antibodies, thyroid 5:23 check the antibodies, thyroid 5:23 check the antibodies, thyroid antibodies, and then we check reverse T3 5:26 antibodies, and then we check reverse T3 5:26 antibodies, and then we check reverse T3 because it's now become a chronic 5:28 because it's now become a chronic 5:28 because it's now become a chronic illness category. If all of those are 5:30 illness category. If all of those are 5:30 illness category. If all of those are normal, the chance that the thyroid is 5:31 normal, the chance that the thyroid is 5:31 normal, the chance that the thyroid is causing part of the problem is very, 5:33 causing part of the problem is very, 5:33 causing part of the problem is very, very low. It's not zero, but it's very, 5:35 very low. It's not zero, but it's very, 5:35 very low. It's not zero, but it's very, very low. But it's amazing how many of 5:37 very low. But it's amazing how many of 5:37 very low. But it's amazing how many of those things we find that weren't a 5:39 those things we find that weren't a 5:39 those things we find that weren't a problem before COVID and spike exposure 5:42 problem before COVID and spike exposure 5:42 problem before COVID and spike exposure that now are in a chronically ill, 5:45 that now are in a chronically ill, 5:45 that now are in a chronically ill, longcoid picture. All right. All right. 5:47 longcoid picture. All right. All right. 5:47 longcoid picture. All right. All right. Well, I hope that answers that question. 5:49 Well, I hope that answers that question. 5:49 Well, I hope that answers that question. Thank you all of you subscribers. We're 5:51 Thank you all of you subscribers. We're 5:51 Thank you all of you subscribers. We're loving the community growing. If you 5:53 loving the community growing. If you 5:53 loving the community growing. If you haven't subscribed yet, it's free to do. 5:55 haven't subscribed yet, it's free to do. 5:55 haven't subscribed yet, it's free to do. Please subscribe, like, share, comment, 5:57 Please subscribe, like, share, comment, 5:57 Please subscribe, like, share, comment, do all the stuff. And I will see you 5:59 do all the stuff. And I will see you 5:59 do all the stuff. And I will see you guys on the next video.
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