“Everything in excess is opposed to nature.”
— Hippocrates
Many people are diagnosed with hypothyroidism at some point in their lives and remain on
medication for years. In some cases, it’s beneficial, such as after thyroid surgery or cancer. But more often than not, the underlying causes have never been addressed, and the medication itself creates new problems. Moreover, the dosage is frequently set too high, pushing the body’s metabolism beyond healthy limits. This stresses the nervous system and eventually leads to bone loss.
Understanding TSH
TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) is released from the pituitary gland in the brain to
stimulates the thyroid on how much hormone to produce. For those on thyroid medication, the
brain senses the extra hormone in the system and reduces TSH production accordingly.
TSH ideally falls between 1.8 and 2.6 mIU/L. While this range isn’t the standard used by most
labs today, it does reflect healthier, “optimal levels” used in functional medicine. Yet in
conventional settings, TSH often has to drop well below 1.0 mIU/L before it raises concern – if
addressed at all.
The Problem with Overmedication
When you take too much thyroid medication, your TSH drops very low. This creates iatrogenic
hyperthyroidism – a medically induced overactive thyroid state. While some people initially welcome a faster metabolism, it comes at a serious cost. Excess thyroid activity disrupts normal sleep, creates anxiety, accelerates bone loss, and more.
Understanding the Full Thyroid Picture:
Although TSH is considered the gold standard for thyroid assessment, many people can have
normal TSH even when thyroid function is suboptimal. That’s why it’s important to also look at Free T3 and Free T4, which show how much active thyroid hormone is actually available to the body.
- Optimal Free T3: 3.0—4.5 pg/mL
- Optimal Free T4: 1.0—1.5 ng/dL
Recognizing the Pattern on Labs
A common lab pattern in thyroid overmedication looks like this:
- Low TSH
- High or normal calcium
- High ALP (alkaline phosphatase)
- Normal liver enzymes (AST, ALT, GGT)
This combination usually indicates that the elevated ALP is coming from the bones, not the liver – a sign of increased bone turnover.
What to Do
Consider working with a functional medicine practitioner to manage your thyroid issues. There are natural methods for normalizing thyroid function, which are very effective. In the meantime, if you’re on thyroid medication, consult with your medical doctor and be sure to:
- Check TSH, Free T4, and Free T3 regularly (quarterly or biannually)
- Monitor calcium and AL
- Support bone metabolism (magnesium, vitamin D3, EFAs, etc.)
- Minimize sugars and caffeine
Our bones are not stone; they respond to our chemistry. Thyroid balance is delicate: too little
slows the body, too much can erode it. In balance, the thyroid supports strength, vitality, and
resilience.