What are the symptoms of an underactive thyroid?

Hypothyroidism symptoms include persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin and hair, hair loss, brain fog, slow heart rate, depression, and heavy or irregular periods. These symptoms often build gradually and are attributed to stress or aging but have a measurable hormonal cause. Vela maps your symptom pattern against a full thyroid panel to identify where the dysfunction is occurring.

What is the difference between hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's?

Hypothyroidism means the thyroid isn't producing enough hormone. Hashimoto's is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid, which eventually leads to hypothyroidism — but they require different protocols. Hashimoto's needs immune modulation alongside thyroid hormone support. Many women with Hashimoto's are only treated for low thyroid and never address the autoimmune root cause. Vela distinguishes between the two.

What is a full thyroid panel versus just TSH?

TSH alone is a poor indicator of thyroid function. A full panel includes TSH, Free T3 (the active hormone), Free T4, reverse T3 (which blocks T3), and TPO antibodies (the Hashimoto's marker). You can have a normal TSH with low Free T3, elevated reverse T3, or active autoimmunity — all requiring different interventions. Vela recommends the full panel and interprets results in the context of your symptoms.

Can thyroid problems cause weight gain and fatigue?

Yes — thyroid hormone regulates metabolism and every cell's ability to convert nutrients into fuel. When thyroid function is low, metabolic rate drops, mitochondria produce less energy, and the body holds onto water and fat. Fatigue and weight gain that don't respond to diet and exercise are classic signs. Vela's thyroid protocol targets the specific conversion and absorption issues causing your symptoms.

What supplements support thyroid health?

Key thyroid-supportive supplements include selenium (critical for T4-to-T3 conversion and TPO antibody reduction), zinc, iodine in appropriate amounts (too much worsens Hashimoto's), vitamin D, and magnesium. For Hashimoto's specifically, removing gluten and supporting gut barrier integrity often reduces antibody levels significantly. Vela builds your protocol around your actual lab values, not a generic thyroid formula.

Thyroid Health Protocol: Hypothyroidism & Hashimoto's

Understanding Thyroid Issues

Your thyroid controls your metabolism — and most testing misses the problem.

Your thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate virtually every system in your body: energy metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, mood, cognitive function, menstrual cycles, and more. When it's underperforming — even mildly — the effects ripple through your entire health picture.

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) affects an estimated 1 in 8 women, yet the standard TSH test used by most doctors catches only the most advanced cases. The problem: subclinical hypothyroidism — where TSH is "borderline" but Free T3 and Free T4 reveal real dysfunction — gets missed routinely.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune attack on the thyroid, is the #1 cause of hypothyroidism in the US. Yet most conventional care treats numbers, not the underlying autoimmune process that continues to damage your thyroid over time.

Common Symptoms

Persistent fatigue unrelated to sleep

Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight

Cold intolerance (cold hands & feet)

Brain fog, poor concentration

Dry skin, brittle nails, hair thinning

Irregular or heavy periods

Depression or low mood

Constipation or slow digestion

Here's what most doctors won't tell you: your TSH can be "normal" while you're functionally hypothyroid. Free T3 (the active hormone) and Reverse T3 (the inactive blocker) tell the real story. And if you have Hashimoto's, reducing thyroid antibodies matters as much as optimizing thyroid numbers.

The Vela Approach

Your thyroid protocol, built from your actual data

Order the Right Labs

Most doctors only check TSH. We recommend a full thyroid panel — TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, TPO antibodies, and Tg antibodies — so we see the complete picture of what's actually happening.

Identify the Root Cause

Is it Hashimoto's? Nutritional deficiency? Stress-driven HPA axis suppression? Each cause requires a different protocol. We map your profile to the specific mechanism affecting your thyroid.

Structured Protocol in Tiers

Foundations first (sleep, stress management, blood sugar). Nutrition second (iodine, selenium, zinc, gluten removal if autoimmune). Supplements third (adrenal support, T3 optimization). Clear priorities.

Sample Protocol

What a thyroid protocol from Vela actually looks like

This is a real example for Hashimoto's with subclinical hypothyroidism. Your protocol will be different — built from your intake data, labs, and health history.

Every recommendation includes dosing, timing, expected benefit, and known cautions. Nothing vague. Nothing "consult your doctor" without context.

Thyroid — Hashimoto's Pattern

Tier 1 Gluten elimination (autoimmune trigger reduction)

Tier 1 Sleep consistency: 10pm bedtime, 7-8 hours dark room

Tier 1 Stress management: cortisol buffer before 10am

Tier 2 Selenium 200mcg (L-selenomethionine) — reduces TPO antibodies

Tier 2 Zinc 30mg (picolinate) with food — supports T4→T3 conversion

Tier 2 Vitamin D 5000 IU — optimal 60-80 ng/mL for immunity

Tier 3 Consider T3 supplementation — requires provider coordination

Recommended Testing

The thyroid panel most doctors skip

TSH + Free T3 + Free T4

The essential trio. TSH is the pituitary signal; Free T3 is the active hormone your cells actually use.

Reverse T3

Reveals if your body is converting T4 into the inactive reverse T3 instead of active T3 — a common driver of hypothyroid symptoms with "normal" labs.

TPO & Tg Antibodies

Identifies Hashimoto's autoimmune activity. Elevated antibodies mean active immune attack on your thyroid — even if TSH looks fine.

Ferritin

Iron stores are critical for thyroid hormone production. Low ferritin mimics hypothyroidism and must be corrected first.

Vitamin D

Low vitamin D correlates with higher thyroid antibodies and worse Hashimoto's outcomes. Optimize aggressively.

Cortisol (DHEA-S, AM cortisol)

Chronic stress suppresses thyroid function via HPA axis. Cortisol patterns reveal if stress is your hidden thyroid blocker.

Common Questions

Thyroid health questions, answered plainly

What are the symptoms of an underactive thyroid?

Hypothyroidism symptoms include persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin and hair, hair loss, brain fog, slow heart rate, depression, and heavy or irregular periods. These symptoms often build gradually and are attributed to stress or aging — but they have a measurable hormonal cause. Vela maps your symptom pattern against a full thyroid panel to identify where the dysfunction is occurring and build your protocol accordingly.
What is the difference between hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's?

Hypothyroidism means the thyroid isn't producing enough hormone. Hashimoto's is an autoimmune condition where your immune system attacks the thyroid, eventually leading to hypothyroidism — but they require different protocols. Hashimoto's needs immune modulation (gluten, gut health, inflammation reduction) alongside thyroid hormone support. Many women with Hashimoto's are only treated for low thyroid and never address the autoimmune root cause. Vela distinguishes between the two and adjusts your protocol accordingly.
What is a full thyroid panel versus just TSH?

TSH alone is a poor indicator of thyroid function. A full panel includes TSH, Free T3 (the active hormone), Free T4, reverse T3 (which blocks T3), and TPO antibodies (the Hashimoto's marker). You can have a "normal" TSH with low Free T3, elevated reverse T3, or active autoimmunity — all requiring different interventions. Vela recommends the full panel and interprets your results in the context of your symptoms, not just lab reference ranges.
Can thyroid problems cause weight gain and fatigue?

Yes — thyroid hormone regulates metabolism and every cell's ability to convert nutrients into fuel. When thyroid function is low, metabolic rate drops, mitochondria produce less energy, and the body holds onto water and fat. Fatigue and weight gain that don't respond to diet and exercise are classic signs. Vela's thyroid protocol targets the specific conversion and absorption issues causing your symptoms, not just the TSH number.
What supplements support thyroid health?

Key thyroid-supportive supplements include selenium (critical for T4-to-T3 conversion and TPO antibody reduction), zinc, iodine in appropriate amounts (too much worsens Hashimoto's), vitamin D, and magnesium. For Hashimoto's specifically, removing gluten and supporting gut barrier integrity often reduces antibody levels significantly. Vela builds your protocol around your actual lab values, not a generic thyroid formula.

Thyroid Protocol:
Data-Driven Hormone Balance

Your thyroid controls your metabolism — and most testing misses the problem.

Your thyroid protocol, built from your actual data

Order the Right Labs

Identify the Root Cause

Structured Protocol in Tiers

What a thyroid protocol from Vela actually looks like

The thyroid panel most doctors skip

TSH + Free T3 + Free T4

Reverse T3

TPO & Tg Antibodies

Ferritin

Vitamin D

Cortisol (DHEA-S, AM cortisol)

Thyroid health questions, answered plainly

Your thyroid protocol starts with understanding your body.

Thyroid Protocol:Data-Driven Hormone Balance

Your thyroid controls your metabolism — and most testing misses the problem.

Your thyroid protocol, built from your actual data

Order the Right Labs

Identify the Root Cause

Structured Protocol in Tiers

What a thyroid protocol from Vela actually looks like

The thyroid panel most doctors skip

TSH + Free T3 + Free T4

Reverse T3

TPO & Tg Antibodies

Ferritin

Vitamin D

Cortisol (DHEA-S, AM cortisol)

Thyroid health questions, answered plainly

Your thyroid protocol starts with understanding your body.

Thyroid Protocol:
Data-Driven Hormone Balance