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 of TSH ranges and why Dr. Teplitsky questions what counts as normal.
2 min read Start HereThyroid Hormones and the Right Tests to Diagnose 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 of thyroid stimulating hormone and how it fits into 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 & DiagnosisHow Is It Possible to Have a Health Problem With Normal Blood Tests?
A patient-friendly explanation of why normal lab results do not always rule out a real health problem.
6 min read Symptoms & DiagnosisSome Common and Less Common Symptoms of Low Thyroid
A compact symptom checklist for common and less common signs of low thyroid.
2 min read Symptoms & DiagnosisLow Thyroid Symptoms: Complete List
A fuller list of hypothyroid symptoms, organized by common patterns and body systems.
7 min read Symptoms & DiagnosisWhy Women Have Hypothyroidism More Often Than Men
Dr. Teplitsky’s discussion of why hypothyroidism is diagnosed far more often in women.
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 Doctors Are Better 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 about Armour Thyroid and Dr. Teplitsky’s replies.
3 min read Treatment NotesWhy I Prefer Armour Thyroid
Dr. Teplitsky’s personal reasoning for preferring Armour Thyroid 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
Should You Take Thyroid Supplements If You Are Taking Medications?
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 on why cells need vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to function well.
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, thyroid hormones, and ways deficiency may be checked.
4 min read Nutrition & SupplementsWhy Are There So Many Names for Sugar?
A simple guide to the many ingredient-label names that can mean sugar.
2 min readHypothyroidism in 21 Lectures
Lecture 1: Introduction to the thyroid gland
Lecture 1 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: Introduction to the thyroid gland.
6 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 2: How thyroid makes energy
Lecture 2 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: How thyroid makes energy.
4 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 3: Thyroid hormones T4 and T3
Lecture 3 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: Thyroid hormones T4 and T3.
4 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 4: How T4 & T3 are regulated and distributed in the body
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 T4 turns into T3.
6 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 6: Causes and common symptoms of low thyroid
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: How most doctors diagnose 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 tests that should be done.
5 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 9: Complete list of symptoms, part 1
Lecture 9 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: Complete list of symptoms, part 1.
6 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 10: Complete list of symptoms, part 2
Lecture 10 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: Complete list of symptoms, part 2.
7 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 11: Why every patient should be checked for low thyroid
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 thyroiditis and the immune system
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 thyroiditis, gastro-intestinal system and leaky 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: Thyroid medications.
8 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 15: Supplements that help thyroid
Lecture 15 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: Supplements that help thyroid.
7 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 16: How to treat leaky gut
Lecture 16 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: How to treat leaky gut.
9 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 17: Good foods, bad foods
Lecture 17 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: Good foods, bad foods.
5 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 18: Tests you can do at home to see if you have low thyroid
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 hypothyroidism – is it real?
Lecture 19 from Dr. Teplitsky’s 21-part hypothyroidism series: Subclinical hypothyroidism – is it real?.
6 min read Hypothyroidism in 21 LecturesLecture 20: Conditions whose treatment causes 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: Review and conclusions.
7 min read