Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get thyroid treatment in Redlands?
Paracelsus Natural Family Health Center in Redlands offers comprehensive thyroid treatment at 112 E Olive Ave, Suite B. Dr. Simon Barker specializes in natural thyroid treatment for patients throughout the Inland Empire, including Redlands, Loma Linda, Yucaipa, Highland, and San Bernardino. Unlike conventional doctors who only prescribe Synthroid, Dr. Barker uses advanced testing to identify root causes and provides natural treatments alongside bioidentical thyroid hormones when needed. Call (909) 793-4477 to schedule your thyroid consultation.
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 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.
Are there thyroid specialists in the Inland Empire?
Yes, Dr. Simon Barker is one of the few naturopathic physicians in the Inland Empire who specializes exclusively in thyroid disorders. While there are endocrinologists in San Bernardino and Riverside, Dr. Barker offers a unique approach combining conventional thyroid knowledge with natural medicine. As a two-time California Naturopathic Doctor of the Year, he provides comprehensive thyroid care that addresses root causes, not just symptom management. His Redlands office serves patients throughout San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
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 Inland Empire 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 at his Redlands office.
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.
Does Loma Linda have thyroid specialists?
While Loma Linda University Health has endocrinologists, Dr. Simon Barker’s office in nearby Redlands (just minutes from Loma Linda) offers specialized naturopathic thyroid treatment. His approach differs from conventional endocrinology by using comprehensive testing beyond TSH, addressing root causes like gut health and nutritional deficiencies, and prescribing bioidentical thyroid hormones when needed. Many Loma Linda residents choose Dr. Barker for his integrative approach to thyroid care.
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 like Brazil nuts, 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 isn’t 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). 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.
Is there a naturopathic thyroid doctor near San Bernardino?
Yes, Dr. Simon Barker’s Redlands office is conveniently located near San Bernardino at 112 E Olive Ave, Suite B. He is one of the few licensed naturopathic doctors in the Inland Empire specializing in comprehensive thyroid treatment. As a two-time California Naturopathic Doctor of the Year, Dr. Barker provides expert care for hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, and other thyroid conditions using natural treatments and bioidentical hormones. Many San Bernardino, Highland, and Yucaipa residents make the short drive to Redlands for his specialized thyroid expertise.