THYROID TREATMENT & SUPPORT
Natural Care for Hypothyroidism and Thyroid Conditions
Thyroid problems can affect every aspect of your health — from your energy and metabolism to your mood and cognitive function. When you’re struggling with symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, or cold intolerance, you need a doctor who understands the complexities of thyroid health and treats you as a whole person.
At Paracelsus Natural Family Health Center in Pasadena and Redlands, Dr. Simon Barker provides comprehensive naturopathic thyroid care that goes beyond standard testing and treatment. Our approach integrates advanced diagnostics with effective natural treatments to help restore optimal thyroid function, alleviate symptoms, and improve your overall quality of life.
You don’t have to continue suffering with unresolved thyroid symptoms. Dr. Barker specializes in thyroid health and has taught Endocrinology at the University of Bridgeport School of Naturopathic Medicine. His expertise in treating thyroid conditions combines comprehensive testing with natural treatment strategies to address both symptoms and underlying causes of thyroid dysfunction.
What Makes Our Thyroid Treatment Different
Advanced Comprehensive Testing – Standard thyroid testing often only looks at TSH levels, which doesn’t give a complete picture of thyroid function. Many patients have “normal” lab results but still have thyroid imbalances causing significant symptoms. Our comprehensive testing includes Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies to identify overlooked thyroid issues and understand how well your body converts T4 to the active T3 form.
Multiple Treatment Options – Our comprehensive thyroid support includes personalized dietary recommendations for thyroid health, nutritional supplementation targeted to your specific needs, herbal medicine to support thyroid function, natural or bioidentical thyroid hormone therapy when appropriate, detoxification protocols to remove thyroid-disrupting compounds, stress management and lifestyle recommendations, and immune system modulation for autoimmune thyroid conditions.
Research-Based Natural Therapies – We use evidence-based therapies to restore optimal thyroid function, address the root causes of thyroid imbalances, support proper thyroid hormone production and conversion, reduce symptoms associated with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, manage autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease, prevent thyroid-related complications, and support overall health and vitality.
Two-Phase Treatment Approach – We begin with initial thyroid optimization including identifying underlying thyroid imbalances, addressing key nutritional deficiencies affecting thyroid function, supporting proper hormone production and conversion, reducing uncomfortable symptoms, and establishing thyroid-supporting habits. Then long-term thyroid health focuses on maintaining optimal thyroid balance, preventing thyroid deterioration, supporting healthy metabolism, enhancing energy and vitality, and providing prevention-focused wellness plans with regular monitoring and adjustments.
How Our Thyroid Treatment Works
Initial Comprehensive Assessment – We conduct thorough evaluations using advanced thyroid testing beyond standard TSH screening. Our comprehensive approach examines Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies to identify the specific nature of your thyroid imbalance and understand why symptoms persist even when conventional testing shows “normal” results.
Active Treatment Phase – We provide personalized treatment including dietary recommendations for thyroid health (some patients benefit from avoiding certain foods, dairy, or soy), nutritional supplementation with essential nutrients like iodine, selenium, zinc, and iron that are crucial for proper thyroid function, herbal medicine to support thyroid function, and natural thyroid hormone therapy when appropriate. Treatment addresses both symptoms and underlying causes of thyroid dysfunction.
Medication Options When Needed – We offer both synthetic medications like Synthroid (containing only T4/levothyroxine) or Cytomel (T3) and natural thyroid medications like Armour Thyroid (containing both T4 and T3 hormones). Some patients do better with both hormones, especially those who have difficulty converting T4 to the active T3 form. We work closely with you to find the optimal approach.
Long-Term Thyroid Optimization – We focus on maintaining optimal thyroid balance, preventing thyroid deterioration, supporting healthy metabolism, and enhancing energy and vitality. Some patients need long-term thyroid support, while others may be able to reduce or eliminate medication after addressing underlying causes. We evaluate each case individually and work toward the least intervention necessary.
Understanding Thyroid Conditions We Treat
The thyroid gland produces two primary hormones – thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The thyroid makes about 20 times as much T4 as T3, but much of the T4 must be converted into the more active T3 in tissues throughout the body. When this process is disrupted, symptoms can occur even when standard lab tests appear “normal.”
Common thyroid conditions we treat include hypothyroidism when your thyroid produces too little hormone causing fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and depression; Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and damage to the thyroid; hyperthyroidism when your thyroid produces too much hormone leading to anxiety, weight loss, and heat intolerance; Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition causing hyperthyroidism; thyroid nodules, abnormal growths that form within the thyroid; and subclinical thyroid dysfunction when lab values are “normal” but symptoms persist.
Many patients come to us after being told their thyroid tests are “normal” despite experiencing multiple symptoms. Our comprehensive approach can help identify and address these overlooked thyroid issues.
Benefits of Natural Thyroid Treatment
Complete Thyroid Assessment
Our comprehensive testing identifies thyroid issues that standard testing often misses, providing a complete picture of your thyroid function including hormone production, conversion, and utilization.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Every patient receives individualized treatment based on their specific thyroid imbalance, symptoms, and underlying causes rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.
Autoimmune Support
While Hashimoto’s is considered a chronic condition, many patients can achieve remission by addressing underlying triggers such as food sensitivities, gut health issues, nutrient deficiencies, and environmental toxins through our comprehensive approach.
Faster Symptom Relief
Some patients notice improvements within days, while others take several weeks. We work closely with you to monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed to find the optimal approach for your specific needs.
Addresses Root Causes
We identify and treat underlying factors affecting thyroid health including nutritional deficiencies, food sensitivities, gut health issues, environmental toxins, and stress that impact thyroid function.
Flexible Medication Options
We offer both synthetic and natural thyroid medications and help you determine which works best for your body, especially important for those who have difficulty converting T4 to active T3.
Ready to Restore Your Thyroid Health?
Dr. Barker’s comprehensive approach to thyroid treatment provides patients with advanced testing, personalized natural therapies, and expert care that addresses both symptoms and root causes of thyroid dysfunction.
Explore our complete Hormone Health Services → or learn about Bioidentical Hormones → and Menopause Support →
Questions about thyroid treatment?
Call either office to discuss how our proven approach can help restore optimal thyroid function and alleviate your symptoms.
Call either office to discuss how our proven approach can help restore optimal thyroid function and alleviate your symptoms.