Personal articles from Michael Teplitsky, MD
Read Dr. Teplitsky's original patient-education articles on hypothyroidism, thyroid testing, Armour Thyroid, iodine, supplements, symptoms, and the full Hypothyroidism in 21 Lectures series.
Start Here
What Is “Normal” TSH?
A short explanation from Dr. Teplitsky of TSH reference ranges and why he questions whether the standard lab cutoff really counts as normal.
2 min read Start HereHormones and Tests for Low Thyroid
An overview of T4, T3, thyroid physiology, and the blood tests Dr. Teplitsky recommends considering.
4 min read Start HereWhat Is TSH?
A plain-English explanation from Dr. Teplitsky of thyroid stimulating hormone, what it measures, and how it fits into a proper thyroid diagnosis.
3 min readSymptoms & Diagnosis
Is Your Hypothyroidism Diagnosed Properly?
Why normal TSH or free T4 may not settle the question for patients with persistent low-thyroid symptoms.
4 min read Symptoms & DiagnosisNormal Blood Tests, Real Problems
A patient-friendly explanation of why normal lab results do not always rule out a real health problem.
6 min read Symptoms & DiagnosisLow Thyroid Symptoms Guide
A compact symptom checklist from Dr. Teplitsky covering both common and less common signs of low thyroid, so subtler cases don't go unnoticed.
2 min read Symptoms & DiagnosisLow Thyroid Symptoms: Complete List
A fuller list of hypothyroid symptoms from Dr. Teplitsky, organized by common patterns and body systems so patients can recognize their own case.
7 min read Symptoms & DiagnosisWhy Hypothyroidism Favors Women
Dr. Teplitsky's discussion of why hypothyroidism is diagnosed far more often in women than men, and what that pattern means for diagnosis and testing.
5 min readTreatment Notes
Armour Thyroid vs Synthroid
How Dr. Teplitsky explains natural desiccated thyroid, Synthroid, and why some patients respond differently.
3 min read Treatment NotesHolistic Care for Hypothyroidism
A personal argument for why hypothyroidism care may require more than a TSH-only medication approach.
3 min read Treatment NotesMyths About Armour Thyroid
Common claims and misconceptions about Armour Thyroid, addressed one by one with Dr. Teplitsky's clinical replies and practical clarifications.
3 min read Treatment NotesWhy I Prefer Armour Thyroid
Dr. Teplitsky's personal reasoning for preferring Armour Thyroid, a natural desiccated thyroid medication, in selected hypothyroid patients.
2 min read Treatment NotesWhy Doctors Don’t Like Armour Thyroid
Dr. Teplitsky’s explanation of why many conventional doctors avoid Armour Thyroid and similar products.
4 min readNutrition & Supplements
Supplements With Thyroid Meds
Why Dr. Teplitsky may still discuss nutrition and supplements with patients already taking thyroid medication.
2 min read Nutrition & SupplementsWhy I Recommend Vitamin Supplements
A practical note from Dr. Teplitsky on why cells need vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to function well, and when supplements are worth it.
4 min read Nutrition & SupplementsAre You Deficient in Iodine?
Why iodine matters for thyroid hormone production and why deficiency may be more common than expected.
4 min read Nutrition & SupplementsHow to Check If You Are Deficient in Iodine
Dr. Teplitsky's note on iodine's role in making thyroid hormones, and the practical ways a deficiency can be checked for and treated in patients.
4 min read Nutrition & SupplementsWhy Are There So Many Names for Sugar?
A simple guide from Dr. Teplitsky to the many ingredient-label names that can mean sugar, so you can spot hidden sweeteners before they add up.
2 min readHypothyroidism in 21 Lectures
Lecture 1: Introduction to the thyroid gland
Lecture 1 from Dr. Teplitsky's 21-part hypothyroidism series: an introduction to the thyroid gland, where it sits, and what it does for your body.
6 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 2: How thyroid makes energy
Lecture 2 from Dr. Teplitsky's 21-part hypothyroidism series: how thyroid hormone drives cellular energy production throughout the whole body.
4 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 3: Thyroid hormones T4 and T3
Lecture 3 from Dr. Teplitsky's 21-part hypothyroidism series: what T4 and T3 actually are, how they differ, and why both hormones matter for you.
4 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 4: T4 & T3 Regulation
Lecture 4 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: How T4 & T3 are regulated and distributed in the body.
5 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 5: How T4 turns into T3
Lecture 5 from Dr. Teplitsky's 21-part hypothyroidism series: how the body converts T4 into active T3, and why that conversion step matters.
6 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 6: Low Thyroid Symptoms
Lecture 6 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: Causes and common symptoms of low thyroid.
6 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 7: Diagnosing Low Thyroid
Lecture 7 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: How most doctors diagnose low thyroid.
4 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 8: The tests that should be done
Lecture 8 from Dr. Teplitsky's 21-part hypothyroidism series: the lab tests he believes should be run to properly evaluate thyroid function.
5 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 9: Complete list of symptoms, part 1
Lecture 9 from Dr. Teplitsky's 21-part hypothyroidism series: the first half of his complete list of hypothyroid symptoms patients experience.
6 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 10: Complete list of symptoms, part 2
Lecture 10 from Dr. Teplitsky's 21-part hypothyroidism series: the second half of his complete list of low-thyroid symptoms patients often miss.
7 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 11: Why Test Every Patient
Lecture 11 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: Why every patient should be checked for low thyroid.
5 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 12: Hashimoto's & Immunity
Lecture 12 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and the immune system.
5 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 13: Hashimoto's and the Gut
Lecture 13 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, gastro-intestinal system and leaky gut.
10 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 14: Thyroid medications
Lecture 14 from Dr. Teplitsky's 21-part hypothyroidism series: an overview of thyroid medications, how they work, and how they're chosen for patients.
8 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 15: Supplements that help thyroid
Lecture 15 from Dr. Teplitsky's 21-part hypothyroidism series: the supplements he most often recommends to support thyroid function and recovery.
7 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 16: How to treat leaky gut
Lecture 16 from Dr. Teplitsky's 21-part hypothyroidism series: how leaky gut relates to hypothyroidism and his approach to treating it in patients.
9 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 17: Good foods, bad foods
Lecture 17 from Dr. Teplitsky's 21-part hypothyroidism series: which foods support thyroid health and which ones can work against a low thyroid.
5 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 18: At-Home Thyroid Tests
Lecture 18 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: Tests you can do at home to see if you have low thyroid.
6 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 19: Subclinical Thyroid?
Lecture 19 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: Subclinical hypothyroidism – is it real?.
6 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 20: Drugs and Low Thyroid
Lecture 20 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: Conditions whose treatment causes low thyroid.
5 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 21: Review and conclusions
Lecture 21 from Dr. Teplitsky's 21-part hypothyroidism series: a review of the whole series and his closing conclusions for hypothyroid patients.
7 min read