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Thyroid Talk with Dr. Angela Mazza, DO

Recorded 4-8-2022

SHOW NOTES EPISODE 5, 2022

Lab Test Results: What Do The Thyroid Numbers Mean?

Host: Dr. Angela Mazza

Co-host: Dawn Sheffield

I’m Dr. Angela Mazza, a thyroid, endocrine, and metabolism specialist with a private practice in Central Florida.  My goal for this podcast is to define and demystify the thyroid gland, and thyroid-related medical conditions.  By providing information in an easy-to-understand format, we hope to help patients better understand the ways in which their bodies work, and to help them thrive.  My goal is to help us live more fulfilling lives by taking control of our health, to feel our best.

To recap some of what we discussed in episode 5—not necessarily in this order:

·       Lab report numbers related to the thyroid—how they are understood; How numbers on a lab report may—or may not—correlate with what a patient is feeling or exhibiting. Why some patients seem to have good thyroid lab results but they don’t feel as good as their numbers look—the nuances of thyroid hormone physiology;

·       The feedback loop—how it controls thyroid hormone levels;

·       The difference between bound and unbound (or free) thyroid hormone levels;

·       Basic thyroid physiology and the role of thyrotrophs, the hypothalamus, pituitary, Reverse T3, and TRH;

·       TSH, releasing hormones, the thyroid gland, and TBG;

·       Why the thyroid doesn’t just make the right amounts of bothT3 and T4 to start with;

·       T4 and T3 have different half-lives.  Half-lives defined—and what the half-lives are for T3 and T4;

·       Euthyroid defined (and pronounced!);

·       How to approach basic thyroid lab values like TSH, T4 and T3;

·       The difference between T4 and T3. 

            I enjoy helping folks understand how their lives, their diets, stress management, sleep patterns—every aspect of their lives—are tied to both thyroid and overall health.

            This has a lot to do with why I went into endocrinology.  It’s a medical art that combines science with the study of our lives--and ALL that they encompass. 

I hope you’ll continue listening to “Thyroid Talk with Dr. Angela Mazza.”  We have many more interesting episodes and guests planned.  We’ll build on today’s foundation, and cover some topics I think you’ll find meaningful.

In our next episode (episode 6) we’ll discuss the different thyroid hormone replacement therapies.

It’s great to know that we CAN impact our thyroid health!

We welcome your comments, show ideas, and questions for future episodes.  Please send your thoughts to [email protected]   We MAY disclose your general location on air (the city or town, for example), but we will NOT read your name NOR your address on the show.

Citations, references, and additional information:

Melmed, S., & Williams, R. H. (2011).  Williams textbook of endocrinology (12th ed.).  Philadelphia: Elsevier/Saunders.

Don’t forget to ask YOUR healthcare provider about any specific questions regarding your wellness.  This podcast is meant for educational purposes only.

Copyright 2022 Dr. Angela Mazza DO.  Thyroid Talk with Dr. Angela Mazza, DO.  All rights reserved.

Check out our YouTube channel - Dr. Angela Mazza, our website at Metabolic Center for Wellness, our FaceBook and our Instagram page.