@nourishingapothecary: What actually happens to your thyroid hormones when your thyroid is removed? Your thyroid produces two main hormones, T4 and T3. Most of what the thyroid releases is T4, which acts largely as a prohormone and can be converted into the more biologically active T3 in tissues throughout the body. But thyroid hormone production is part of a much bigger feedback system. Your hypothalamus releases TRH, which signals the pituitary gland to release TSH. TSH then travels to the thyroid and tells it to produce more thyroid hormone. So what happens after a thyroidectomy? If the entire thyroid has been surgically removed, the brain can continue producing the signals, but there is no longer a thyroid gland there to respond. Without thyroid hormone replacement, T4 and T3 would fall while TSH would rise as the pituitary attempts to stimulate a thyroid gland that is no longer there. This is why after a total thyroidectomy, lifelong thyroid hormone replacement is generally required, most commonly levothyroxine, which provides synthetic T4. The body can then convert T4 into T3 as required. A partial thyroidectomy is different. The remaining thyroid tissue may still be capable of producing sufficient thyroid hormone, which means not everyone who has part of their thyroid removed will require lifelong replacement. And the reason the thyroid was removed matters too. Thyroid cancer, Graves’ disease, large nodules and other thyroid conditions all create different clinical considerations. If you’ve had thyroid surgery, taking medication is only one part of the picture. Your thyroid pathology, symptoms, blood results, medication and overall health all need to be considered together. At Nourishing Apothecary, Toni works extensively with thyroid health and supports clients alongside their conventional medical care. You can book a free discovery call with Toni at nourishingapothecary.com to discuss whether naturopathic support may be appropriate for you. #thyroid #thyroidhealth #thyroidectomy #hypothyroidism #thyroidhormones

Jaime | Naturopath & Homeopath

Open In TikTok:

Region: AU

Saturday 05 September 2026 22:44:27 GMT