If you’re feeling constantly tired, sluggish, or struggling to think clearly, your thyroid might be part of the problem. While many people blame busy schedules or poor sleep, fatigue and brain fog can be early signs that your thyroid isn’t functioning the way it should. At Ahn Point Wellness, Dr. Lynne Ahn, a Board-Certified Anti-Aging Regenerative Medicine Physician and Integrative Gastroenterologist, takes a whole-body approach to uncovering the root causes of these often-overlooked symptoms.
What Does the Thyroid Do?
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that helps regulate your energy, metabolism, body temperature, and even your brain. It does this by producing hormones that tell your cells how fast to work. When your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones (a condition called hypothyroidism), your entire system slows down.
Symptoms like tiredness, poor concentration, memory issues, and depression are common. And while some people think these symptoms are just a normal part of aging, they can sometimes point to an underlying thyroid problem.
Why “Normal” Lab Tests May Not Tell the Whole Story
Most conventional doctors use the TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test to check for thyroid problems. But many people still feel awful even when their TSH results are “normal.” That’s because TSH doesn’t tell the full story. Dr. Ahn utilizes more advanced testing to assess levels of free T3, free T4, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies, providing a more comprehensive picture of thyroid function.
Subtle thyroid imbalances or early autoimmune activity (like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) often go unnoticed until symptoms become more severe. Functional medicine aims to catch and address these issues early.
How Thyroid Issues Affect the Brain
Your brain depends on thyroid hormones to stay sharp. These hormones help regulate chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which affect mood, focus, and alertness. When levels are low, you may feel mentally foggy, unfocused, or fatigued.
Poor sleep, stress, and nutrient deficiencies can also make it harder for your body to activate thyroid hormones, making symptoms worse even if your labs look fine.
What Can Help?
Dr. Ahn tailors each treatment plan to the patient’s unique needs. This may include:
- A full thyroid panel and advanced hormone testing
- Nutrient support (like selenium, iodine, magnesium, and zinc)
- Stress management and sleep support
- Gut health therapy to reduce inflammation and improve hormone balance
- Bioidentical hormone therapy when appropriate
Start Getting Answers
If fatigue and brain fog are interfering with your daily life, don’t settle for vague explanations. Ahn Point Wellness provides personalized, root-cause care to patients all over New England. Contact (781) 785-8815 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lynne Ahn.
