Hyperthyroid and Hypothyroid at the Same Time? How to Figure out Your Thyroid Status

Is it possible to be both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid at the same time? Well, not exactly. But it is definitely possible for SOME tissues to have too much thyroid hormone while others do not have enough.

This is a pretty confusing topic but it's something that all thyroid patients should be aware of.

To start, you should be aware that a single tissue or cell cannot be both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid at the same time.

The way that thyroid hormone works is in the nucleus of the cell via a nuclear receptor. The way that the thyroid receptors work is such that a cell can either be stimulated or not. The same cell cannot be both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid at the same time.

Having said that, why do some people experience symptoms of both thyroid conditions? That is possible in a couple of different ways.

The first is through thyroid conditions which cause ALTERNATING thyroid function. These conditions may cause low thyroid one day and then high thyroid the next.

Conditions in this group include:

- Thyroiditis (any cause)

- Hashimoto's thyroiditis

- Thyroid medication (levothyroxine and Synthroid)

- Antithyroid medication

More common, though, is that people experience different thyroid hormone statuses in different cells. This is because some cells are more sensitive or resistant to thyroid hormone compared to others.

In this way, it's possible for one cell to get too much thyroid hormone stimulation (thus being hyperthyroid) while others are not getting enough (thus being hypothyroid).

Let me give an example:

Take your heart tissue, for instance. Heart tissue is much more sensitive to thyroid hormone compared to other tissues. Because of this, it's possible to have too much thyroid hormone hit your heart and cause heart palpitations BEFORE that thyroid hormone gets to other tissues such as your brain, skin, hair follicles, etc.

While your heart is getting to much (you are experiencing heart palpitations), your other tissues are not getting enough (you may still experience hair loss).

This can occur in many different tissues including your brain, pituitary gland, heart, skin, hair follicles, and in your metabolism.

Through this mechanism, it can feel like you are hyperthyroid and hypothyroid simultaneously but it's only because certain cells are experiencing different thyroid hormone stimulation.

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Disclaimer:

Dr. Westin Childs received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic medicine in 2013. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Childs is no longer practicing medicine and does not hold an active medical license so he can focus on helping people through videos, blog posts, research, and supplement formulation. To read more about why he is no longer licensed please see this page: https://www.restartmed.com/what-happe...