Thyroid Treatment in Pasadena, California
Natural Thyroid Solutions by Dr. Simon Barker, N.D.
If you’re searching for expert thyroid treatment in Pasadena, Dr. Simon Barker at Paracelsus Natural Family Health Center specializes in comprehensive natural thyroid solutions. With over two decades of experience treating thyroid conditions, Dr. Barker helps Pasadena patients achieve optimal thyroid health through evidence-based naturopathic medicine.
Located conveniently at 740 N Lake Ave in Pasadena, our practice serves patients throughout Los Angeles County who are struggling with hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism, and other thyroid imbalances.
Why Choose Dr. Barker for Thyroid Treatment in Pasadena?
Dr. Simon Barker is recognized as one of Southern California’s leading naturopathic physicians specializing in thyroid disorders. As a two-time California Naturopathic Doctor of the Year (2015 and 2023), he brings exceptional expertise to thyroid diagnosis and treatment.
Specialized Thyroid Expertise – Dr. Barker taught Endocrinology at the University of Bridgeport School of Naturopathic Medicine and has written questions for national naturopathic licensing exams. His deep understanding of thyroid physiology allows him to identify and treat complex thyroid conditions that others may miss.
Comprehensive Testing – We use advanced thyroid testing beyond standard TSH panels, including Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, thyroid antibodies, and nutritional factors that affect thyroid function. This comprehensive approach identifies the root causes of your thyroid symptoms.
Natural Treatment Approach – Dr. Barker uses evidence-based natural therapies including targeted nutritional supplementation, botanical medicine, dietary modifications, and bioidentical thyroid hormone when needed. His treatments address underlying causes while supporting your body’s natural healing abilities.
Personalized Treatment Plans – Every patient receives an individualized treatment plan based on their specific thyroid labs, symptoms, medical history, and health goals. We don’t use cookie-cutter protocols—your treatment is tailored to your unique situation.
Convenient Pasadena Location – Our office at 740 N Lake Ave is easily accessible from throughout Pasadena, South Pasadena, Altadena, San Marino, and surrounding communities, with convenient parking available.
Thyroid Conditions We Treat in Pasadena
Hypothyroidism Treatment – Low thyroid function causing fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, hair loss, and brain fog. Dr. Barker identifies why your thyroid is underperforming and addresses root causes.
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Treatment – Autoimmune thyroid disease requiring specialized care to reduce antibodies, calm immune system overactivity, and support optimal thyroid function.
Subclinical Hypothyroidism Treatment – Early thyroid dysfunction that conventional doctors often dismiss as “normal” despite causing significant symptoms. Dr. Barker treats patients based on symptoms and optimal ranges, not just lab values.
Hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease Treatment – Overactive thyroid requiring careful management to restore balance while supporting overall health.
Thyroid Nodules – Monitoring and natural support for thyroid nodules, with appropriate referrals when necessary.
Post-Thyroidectomy Support – Optimizing thyroid hormone replacement and addressing nutritional needs after thyroid surgery.
Thyroid Hormone Optimization – Fine-tuning thyroid medication doses and addressing conversion issues for patients not feeling well on standard thyroid treatment.
Comprehensive Thyroid Testing in Pasadena
Unlike conventional approaches that often rely solely on TSH testing, Dr. Barker uses comprehensive thyroid panels to understand exactly what’s happening with your thyroid:
- TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
- Free T4 (storage hormone)
- Free T3 (active thyroid hormone)
- Reverse T3 (inactive form that blocks thyroid function)
- Thyroid antibodies (TPO and Thyroglobulin)
- Nutritional factors (iodine, selenium, zinc, vitamin D, iron)
- Adrenal function (cortisol affects thyroid function)
This thorough testing reveals the complete picture of your thyroid health, allowing Dr. Barker to create targeted treatment plans that address your specific imbalances.
Natural Thyroid Treatment Approaches
Dr. Barker’s thyroid treatment protocols may include:
Nutritional Support – Targeted supplementation with nutrients essential for thyroid hormone production and conversion, including selenium, zinc, iodine (when appropriate), vitamin D, iron, and B vitamins.
Botanical Medicine – Herbal medicines that support thyroid function, reduce inflammation, and address autoimmune activity in conditions like Hashimoto’s.
Dietary Modifications – Anti-inflammatory nutrition plans, identification and elimination of trigger foods, blood sugar balancing strategies, and gut health support (since gut health directly impacts thyroid function).
Bioidentical Thyroid Hormone – When needed, Dr. Barker prescribes bioidentical thyroid hormones including T4, T3, or combination formulations based on your individual needs.
Lifestyle Optimization – Stress management techniques, sleep optimization, toxin reduction, and other lifestyle factors that profoundly impact thyroid health.
Immune System Modulation – For autoimmune thyroid conditions, natural approaches to calm overactive immune responses and reduce thyroid antibodies.
Signs You May Need Thyroid Treatment
Many Pasadena residents struggle with undiagnosed or inadequately treated thyroid problems. Consider seeing Dr. Barker if you’re experiencing:
- Persistent fatigue despite adequate sleep
- Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Sensitivity to cold temperatures
- Dry skin and brittle hair or hair loss
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Depression, anxiety, or mood changes
- Constipation or sluggish digestion
- Muscle weakness or joint pain
- Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
- Elevated cholesterol levels
- Feeling unwell despite “normal” thyroid labs
What to Expect at Your Thyroid Treatment Appointment
Initial Consultation (60 minutes) – $390
Your first visit with Dr. Barker includes:
Your first visit with Dr. Barker includes:
- Comprehensive review of your health history and thyroid symptoms
- Discussion of previous thyroid testing and treatments
- Physical examination
- Development of a personalized testing plan (if needed)
- Initial treatment recommendations
- Answers to all your questions about thyroid health
Follow-Up Appointments (30 minutes) – $195
Ongoing treatment includes:
Ongoing treatment includes:
- Review of lab results and symptom changes
- Treatment plan adjustments
- Monitoring thyroid hormone optimization
- Continued education and support
Insurance and Payment
While we don’t directly bill insurance, many PPO plans provide partial reimbursement for naturopathic visits. We provide detailed receipts for you to submit to your insurance company. HSA and FSA accounts can be used for both visits and supplements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can thyroid problems be cured naturally?
Some thyroid conditions, particularly early-stage hypothyroidism and subclinical thyroid dysfunction, can be reversed with natural treatment addressing root causes like nutritional deficiencies, gut health, stress, and inflammation. However, advanced hypothyroidism or complete thyroid failure typically requires thyroid hormone replacement.
Dr. Barker’s approach uses comprehensive testing to determine if natural treatment alone can restore your thyroid function or if bioidentical hormone replacement is needed alongside natural therapies to address underlying causes.
What is the best natural thyroid treatment?
The best natural thyroid treatment depends on the root cause of your thyroid dysfunction. Effective natural approaches include supplementation for hormone conversion, addressing gut health issues that affect thyroid function, eliminating food sensitivities that trigger inflammation, reducing thyroid antibodies in Hashimoto’s, optimizing levels, and managing stress that impacts thyroid performance.
Dr. Barker creates personalized treatment plans based on comprehensive testing rather than one-size-fits-all protocols.
How do you know if you need thyroid medication?
You may need thyroid medication if comprehensive testing shows significantly low thyroid hormone levels (Free T3 and Free T4), high TSH indicating your body is working hard to stimulate the thyroid, severe hypothyroid symptoms affecting your quality of life, or failure to respond to natural interventions alone. Dr. Barker uses advanced testing beyond standard TSH to determine if medication is necessary and can prescribe bioidentical thyroid hormones that are more natural than synthetic options like Synthroid.
What kind of doctor is best for thyroid problems?
Naturopathic doctors like Dr. Barker who specialize in thyroid disorders offer comprehensive care that endocrinologists often don’t provide. While endocrinologists focus primarily on prescribing medication, naturopathic thyroid specialists use advanced testing to identify root causes, address nutritional deficiencies and gut health, reduce autoimmune antibodies in Hashimoto’s, optimize thyroid hormone conversion, and prescribe bioidentical hormones when needed.
Many patients see both their endocrinologist and Dr. Barker for truly integrative thyroid care.
Can you reverse hypothyroidism naturally?
In some cases, yes. Early-stage hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, and thyroid dysfunction caused by nutritional deficiencies, stress, or gut problems may be reversible with natural treatment. However, advanced hypothyroidism or thyroid damage from longstanding Hashimoto’s may require ongoing hormone replacement.
Dr. Barker’s comprehensive approach identifies whether your thyroid dysfunction is reversible and creates treatment plans to optimize your thyroid function naturally when possible.
Is there a natural alternative to Synthroid?
Yes. Natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) contains both T4 and T3 hormones from porcine thyroid glands and is bioidentical to human thyroid hormones. Compounded bioidentical thyroid hormones offer another natural alternative with customizable T4 and T3 ratios. Many patients feel significantly better on natural thyroid hormones compared to synthetic T4-only medications like Synthroid because they provide the active T3 hormone your body actually uses. Dr. Barker can prescribe natural thyroid hormone options based on your needs.
How long does it take to fix thyroid naturally?
Most patients notice symptom improvements within 4-8 weeks of starting natural thyroid treatment, but full thyroid optimization typically takes 3-6 months. Reducing Hashimoto’s antibodies may take 6-12 months of consistent treatment. The timeline depends on how long you’ve had thyroid dysfunction, the severity of your condition, and how well you adhere to treatment recommendations. Natural thyroid healing is a process, not a quick fix, but creates lasting results by addressing root causes.
What is the difference between Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism means your thyroid isn’t producing enough hormone (the result), while Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks your thyroid gland (the cause). Hashimoto’s is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. Treatment differs because Hashimoto’s requires addressing the autoimmune component – reducing antibodies, healing the gut, identifying triggers, and calming immune system overactivity – not just replacing thyroid hormone. Dr. Barker specializes in Hashimoto’s treatment beyond simple hormone replacement.
Can diet help thyroid problems?
Yes, diet significantly impacts thyroid function. Beneficial dietary changes include eliminating gluten (especially for Hashimoto’s patients), reducing inflammatory foods, eating selenium-rich foods, consuming adequate protein for hormone production, avoiding excess goitrogenic foods when raw, balancing blood sugar to reduce thyroid stress, and healing gut health that affects nutrient absorption.
Dr. Barker creates personalized anti-inflammatory nutrition plans based on your specific thyroid condition and any food sensitivities identified through testing.
Why is my thyroid medication not working?
Common reasons thyroid medication doesn’t work include taking T4-only medication (Synthroid) when you have conversion problems and need T3, poor gut health preventing medication absorption, nutrient deficiencies blocking hormone conversion, high Reverse T3 blocking thyroid receptors, unaddressed Hashimoto’s continuing to damage the thyroid, taking medication with food, coffee, or supplements that block absorption, and stress or inflammation interfering with thyroid function.
Dr. Barker identifies why your medication may not be working and addresses the underlying issues.
What tests should I get for my thyroid?
Comprehensive thyroid testing should include TSH, Free T4, Free T3 (the active hormone), Reverse T3 (blocks thyroid function), TPO antibodies (for Hashimoto’s detection), Thyroglobulin antibodies (another Hashimoto’s marker), and vitamin D, iron, selenium, and zinc levels. Most conventional doctors only test TSH, which misses many thyroid problems. Dr. Barker uses this comprehensive panel to understand exactly what’s happening with your thyroid and create targeted treatment plans.
Convenient Pasadena Location
740 N Lake Ave
Pasadena, CA 91104
Pasadena, CA 91104
Call our Pasadena office: (626) 794-4668
Monday – Friday: 9:00a – 5:00p
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Serving: Pasadena, South Pasadena, Altadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre, La Cañada Flintridge, Eagle Rock, Glendale, and surrounding Los Angeles County communities.
Ready to Start Your Thyroid Treatment?
Don’t settle for feeling less than your best. Dr. Barker’s comprehensive approach to thyroid treatment has helped hundreds of Pasadena patients regain their energy, lose stubborn weight, and feel like themselves again.