The thyroid is a small gland located in front of the neck and just below the larynx (voice box). Weighing less than an ounce, it is an important organ that maintains body metabolism. It produces two main hormones, L-thyroxine(Synthroid) and Tri-iodothyronine (Cytomel™), that influence every cell in your body. These hormones regulate the way your body uses fats and carbohydrates. They help to control your body temperature, your heart rate, the production of protein and the amount of calcium in the bones.

Thyroid problems are often misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed and therefore, not treated effectively, if at all. Research has documented that up to 80% of the population has some level of thyroid dysfunction; therefore, testing for thyroid health is very important for everyone. The standard blood tests done to test for thyroid disorders do not give a complete picture, and often do not provide an accurate reading, particularly with patients who have sub-clinical hypothyroidism.

Enter the Thyroflex machine-a reflex hammer connected to a laptop computer which measures the speed of the neurotransmitters and the reflex speed and integrates this information into a resting metabolic rate along with symptoms. We use the muscle of the forearm to test, a more convenient way to obtain a reflex while the patient is seated comfortable chair. A delayed reflex time is the finding that indicates low thyroid.

Doing a Thyroflex test is especially useful in those cases in which the TSH is paradoxically low even though the patient has symptoms of low thyroid. (Note: a low TSH indicates a high thyroid function while a high TSH indicates low thyroid function) If you have been told your thyroid labs results are normal but you don’t feel normal, check into Thyroflex testing soon! Our practice is one of the few practices in the Atlanta area to offer Thyroflex™ testing. The Thyroflex is the only non-invasive diagnostic tool used to detect thyroid disorders at the cellular level. It is highly accurate, non-invasive, and cost-effective and allows us to tailor your hormonal replacement treatment. Call our practice and find out more!