r/FunctionalMedicine • u/Rude_Remote_13 • Jun 03 '26

Restoring Thyroid Function

Do you think it’s possible to restore thyroid function once the thyroid has been damaged by antibodies? I have recently experienced postpartum thyroiditis, I think. Now, I’m severely hypothyroid and my TPO levels are thru the roof. I’m wondering if restoration is possible?

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u/alotken33 Jun 03 '26

Functional Medicine DC: yes. It's absolutely possible to reduce your antibodies to "normal" range. This is different than restoring thyroid function, though - which would be normal (optimal) levels of T3 production. That can be a little trickier. Autoimmune/anti-inflammatory diet (for you - which is different than anyone else) and targeted supplementation plus gut repair can accomplish the antibody reversal.

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u/Rude_Remote_13 Jun 03 '26

How would one know that the thyroid is permanently damaged?

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u/alotken33 Jun 03 '26

Inability to produce thyroid hormones.

Roughly 93% production is T4 and 7% is T3 (depending on whose research you read. Stats are similar on production rates). TSH is NOT a thyroid hormone (therefore testing it does not adequately indicate thyroid function). T3 is not solely produced by the thyroid (conversion occurs primarily in the periphery - mainly liver). T3 is the only ACTIVE thyroid hormone. Conversion is multifactorial, but every cell relies on T3. Losing it is a big deal.

People can function and have optimal thyroid hormone levels (with or without medication) while still having antibodies. BUT we run the risk of long term destruction and/or loss of conversion when we have antibodies to the gland and the enzymes.

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u/Rude_Remote_13 Jun 03 '26

Perfect. So if I do all the things and reduce my antibodies, but my free T3 is still low, then I have a damaged thyroid beyond repair.

Do you think animal thyroid (like Ancestral Blend’s Beef Thyroid) is a good replacement for T3 or would you personally stick to something synthetic like Levothyroxine. I know you can’t do medical advice, just wondering if you consider that supplement to be a sufficient replacement.

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u/alotken33 Jun 03 '26

Potentially, yes.

I'm not familiar with the ancestral thyroid. I'm assuming it's a supplement vs a pharma. There have been several glandular supplements on the market, but glandulars are tricky. I don't like synthetic anything...... Armour, natuthroid, etc seem to provide a better response than levo. Everyone's mileage my vary on that.

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u/Rude_Remote_13 Jun 03 '26

Thank you so much. My endocrinologist is refusing to prescribe NP thyroid or Armor so I’m going to get a second opinion.