Low thyroid function, medically known as hypothyroidism, is one of the most common yet frequently misunderstood hormonal conditions today. Millions of Americans—especially women over 30—struggle with symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and depression, often without clear answers. According to the National Institutes of Health, thyroid disorders affect an estimated 20 million people in the United States, and many cases remain undiagnosed.

What’s especially frustrating for patients is that even after starting standard thyroid medication, symptoms often persist. Many people are told their lab tests are “normal,” yet they still don’t feel like themselves. This disconnect leaves patients discouraged, exhausted, and searching for a better solution.

At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine in Encinitas, we take a different approach. Bioidentical thyroid therapy offers a more personalized and physiologically compatible option for individuals struggling with low thyroid symptoms. Rather than focusing solely on lab numbers, this integrative therapy aims to restore true hormonal balance and improve quality of life.

Dr. Mark Stengler is a nationally recognized expert in integrative and functional medicine, with decades of experience helping patients address thyroid disorders naturally and effectively. His approach blends evidence-based medicine with natural therapies to support the body’s own healing systems.

Understanding Low Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland—located at the base of the neck—does not produce enough thyroid hormones to meet the body’s needs. These hormones play a critical role in regulating metabolism, energy production, body temperature, brain function, and hormonal balance.

The thyroid primarily produces thyroxine (T4), which is considered a storage hormone. T4 must be converted into triiodothyronine (T3), the active form of thyroid hormone, for the body’s cells to use it effectively. When this conversion is impaired, symptoms of low thyroid function can occur—even if blood tests appear within normal ranges.

Optimal thyroid health is essential for:

• Steady energy levels
• Healthy metabolism and weight regulation
• Cognitive clarity and emotional well-being
• Cardiovascular and digestive function
• Balanced hormones in both men and women

Common Symptoms of Low Thyroid

Low thyroid function can affect nearly every system in the body. Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue and low energy, even after adequate rest
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight despite diet and exercise
• Brain fog, poor concentration, and depression
• Cold intolerance and feeling chilled easily
• Hair thinning, hair loss, and dry skin
• Constipation and sluggish digestion
• Hormonal imbalances, including menstrual irregularities, low libido, infertility, and low testosterone

Because these symptoms often develop gradually, many patients dismiss them as part of aging or chronic stress—allowing the condition to worsen over time.

Root Causes of Low Thyroid Function

At the Stengler Center, we focus on identifying why the thyroid is underperforming rather than simply suppressing symptoms. Common root causes include:

• Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
  The most common cause of hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, reducing hormone production over time.
• Chronic Stress and Adrenal Dysfunction
  Ongoing stress elevates cortisol levels, which can interfere with thyroid hormone production and block the conversion of T4 into active T3.
• Nutrient Deficiencies
  Adequate levels of iodine, selenium, zinc, and iron are essential for proper thyroid hormone synthesis and conversion. Deficiencies are common and often overlooked.
• Gut Health and Autoimmune Triggers
  Poor gut integrity, food sensitivities, and imbalanced gut bacteria can drive inflammation and autoimmune activity, directly impacting thyroid health.
• Environmental Toxins
  Exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals can interfere with thyroid hormone signaling and receptor function.

What Is Bioidentical Thyroid Therapy?

Bioidentical thyroid hormones are thyroid hormones that are structurally identical to the hormones naturally produced by the human thyroid gland. Because they mirror the body’s own chemistry, bioidentical hormones are often better recognized and utilized by the body at the cellular level.

This is a key distinction from many synthetic thyroid medications, which are chemically altered versions of thyroid hormones. While synthetic drugs may normalize certain lab values, they do not always function optimally within the body’s complex hormonal and metabolic systems.

Bioidentical formulations aim to work with the body rather than override it, supporting more natural hormone signaling, receptor binding, and metabolic balance.

Types of Bioidentical Thyroid Hormone Options

At the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine in Encinitas, bioidentical thyroid therapy is never one-size-fits-all. Treatment options may include:

• Natural Desiccated Thyroid (NDT)
  Derived from porcine thyroid, natural desiccated thyroid contains a balanced combination of T4 and T3, closely resembling the hormone profile produced by a healthy human thyroid. Many patients experience improved symptom relief when both hormones are supported.
• Customized Compounded Thyroid Medications
  Compounding pharmacies can prepare individualized thyroid formulations, allowing precise adjustments of T4, T3, or other supportive hormones. This option is especially helpful for patients who are sensitive to fillers, dyes, or standard dosages.
• Targeted T3 Support When Appropriate
  Some individuals struggle with converting T4 into active T3. In these cases, carefully supervised T3 supplementation may be considered to restore energy, mental clarity, and metabolic function.

The appropriate option depends on each patient’s symptoms, lab findings, medical history, and overall health picture.

How Bioidentical Thyroid Therapy Works

Bioidentical thyroid therapy focuses on restoring true hormonal balance, not just achieving “normal” lab numbers.

This approach works by:

• Supporting both T4 and T3 balance, ensuring the body has access to active thyroid hormone
• Optimizing cellular thyroid hormone uptake, allowing tissues to respond properly to hormonal signals
• Tailoring therapy to individual physiology, accounting for stress levels, nutrient status, gut health, and immune function

Symptom Relief Beyond Lab Numbers

One of the greatest advantages of bioidentical thyroid therapy is that treatment is guided by how the patient feels, not just what a blood test shows. Many individuals experience meaningful improvements in:

Improved Energy and Mental Clarity
Patients often report more consistent energy throughout the day, reduced fatigue, and clearer thinking. Brain fog, poor concentration, and mental sluggishness frequently improve as thyroid hormone activity at the cellular level becomes optimized.

Better Weight Management
When thyroid hormones are properly balanced, metabolism functions more efficiently. Patients may find it easier to lose weight, maintain lean muscle mass, and reduce stubborn weight gain that did not respond to diet or exercise alone.

Mood and Emotional Balance
Low thyroid function is closely linked to depression, anxiety, and emotional instability. Bioidentical thyroid therapy can help stabilize mood, improve motivation, and support emotional well-being by restoring healthy hormone signaling in the brain.

Enhanced Metabolic Function
Balanced thyroid hormones support healthy cholesterol levels, cardiovascular function, body temperature regulation, and digestive efficiency—key components of overall metabolic health.

Dr. Mark Stengler’s Integrative Approach to Thyroid Care

Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation

Effective thyroid treatment begins with a thorough and thoughtful evaluation, not guesswork.

Dr. Stengler starts with a detailed symptom assessment, taking into account energy levels, mood, weight changes, digestion, sleep quality, and hormonal symptoms. This clinical insight often reveals issues that standard checklists overlook.

Advanced thyroid testing may include:

• TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)
• Free T3 and Free T4, which reflect active hormone availability
• Thyroid antibodies, to evaluate for autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Because thyroid dysfunction rarely exists in isolation, Dr. Stengler also evaluates:

• Adrenal health, which affects thyroid hormone conversion
• Gut function, a key driver of immune balance and inflammation
• Nutrient status, including iodine, selenium, zinc, iron, and other cofactors essential for thyroid function

Personalized Treatment Plan

Once the underlying imbalances are identified, Dr. Stengler develops a customized, patient-centered treatment plan tailored to each individual’s physiology and health goals.

Treatment may include:

• Bioidentical thyroid hormone therapy, when clinically appropriate, to restore natural hormone balance
• Targeted nutritional supplementation, addressing deficiencies that impair thyroid function
• Dietary strategies designed to support thyroid health, stabilize blood sugar, and calm immune overactivity
• Stress and lifestyle recommendations grounded in Christian principles, encouraging physical restoration, proper rest, prayer, and stewardship of the body

Ongoing Monitoring and Support

Thyroid health is dynamic, not static. Ongoing care is essential to achieving lasting results.

Patients at the Stengler Center benefit from:

• Regular follow-up visits and lab reassessment, ensuring therapy remains effective and safe
• Thoughtful adjustments to treatment, based on both symptoms and objective findings
• A long-term thyroid health strategy, focused on stability, prevention, and overall vitality

Restoring Thyroid Balance Naturally

Bioidentical thyroid therapy offers hope for patients who haven’t found lasting relief through conventional treatment alone. By addressing hormone balance, nutrient status, adrenal function, gut health, and immune support, this integrative approach helps restore the body’s natural balance and vitality.

With the right evaluation, guidance, and personalized care plan, many patients are able to regain energy, mental clarity, and a renewed sense of well-being. Making an informed, proactive decision about your thyroid health today can lead to meaningful improvements in your long-term health and quality of life.

Schedule Your Thyroid Consultation in Encinitas

If you’re struggling with fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, or other symptoms of low thyroid function, now is the time to take the next step toward better health.

Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine
324 Encinitas Blvd
Encinitas, CA 92024

Phone: 760-274-2377
Toll-Free: 855-DOC-MARK
Email: clinic@markstengler.com
Website: https://www.markstengler.com

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