Why Your Thyroid Labs Might Look Normal—But You Still Don’t Feel Like Yourself

You’ve finally gone to the doctor because you just know something is off. You’re tired, gaining weight, mentally foggy, and just not yourself. Then your labs come back… “normal.” You're sent on your way, maybe with a prescription for anxiety or depression meds, but no answers. Sound familiar?

You’re not alone and you’re not crazy. We sat down with Wendy Shuff, ND, RN, a naturopathic doctor and holistic health provider with Live Simply Well in Kingwood, Texas (and available virtually!) to unpack what’s really going on when thyroid labs come back “normal,” but you still feel far from it.

Conventional vs. Holistic: Why “Normal” Thyroid Labs Aren’t Always Optimal

Wendy sees it all the time: clients coming in with thyroid labs that show “normal” ranges, yet they’re dealing with every classic low-thyroid symptom in the book—overwhelm, anxiety, fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, cold intolerance, mood changes, and more.

What’s going on?

“Most doctors are only testing TSH, which isn’t even a thyroid hormone,” Wendy explains. “It’s a hormone made by your pituitary gland that tells your thyroid to get to work.”

That means it’s just one piece of the puzzle—and not even the most direct one. To truly understand thyroid function, we need a full panel, which includes:

• TSH

• Free T3 and Free T4 (active thyroid hormones)

• Thyroid antibodies (to screen for autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s)

• Reverse T3

• Nutrient levels that impact thyroid function (like iodine, selenium, iron, and vitamin D)

  
  

The Problem With Lab Ranges

Here’s something most people don’t realize: lab reference ranges are based on the average population in a specific region. That means they include people who may already be unwell.

“They’re not based on optimal health,” says Wendy. “They’re just averages. So being ‘normal’ by those standards doesn’t mean you’re functioning well.”

That’s why holistic providers use tighter, more personalized ranges—based on where people actually feel good. For example, while a TSH range of 0.5 to 5 is considered normal, Wendy flags anything above 1.5 for further testing.

What About High Antibodies?

If you’ve managed to get your antibodies tested—good for you! Many conventional doctors don’t check. But high antibodies could indicate Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition where the body mistakenly attacks the thyroid.

“The thyroid acts like a filter,” Wendy explains. “Every 15 to 20 minutes, your blood passes through it. If the gland is inflamed or overloaded with toxins or viruses like Epstein-Barr, it can trigger autoimmune reactions.”

She’s even seen thyroid antibodies spike after major immune events, like viral infections (including COVID).

So What Can You Do?

If this sounds like your story, here’s what Wendy recommends:

• Get a full thyroid panel, including antibodies

• Test for nutrient deficiencies, especially selenium, iodine, iron, and vitamin D

• Work with a practitioner who understands optimal—not just normal—lab values

• Address underlying infections or toxicities that may be affecting the thyroid

• Support your body with the right nutrition, movement, and stress management

  
  

Wendy Recommends Thyroid Patients Skip Eggs But Eat a High Protein Breakfast?

While eggs are often considered a health food, they may not be ideal for everyone—especially if you have Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), a virus that many holistic practitioners believe plays a major role in thyroid dysfunction.

Eggs are known to be a preferred food source for EBV. In other words, if you’re dealing with chronic viral load, eating eggs could feed the very virus contributing to your symptoms like brain fog, low energy, mood changes, and stubborn weight gain. For clients with EBV-related thyroid concerns, removing eggs from the diet can be a key piece of healing.

The good news? There are so many delicious, protein-packed ways to fuel your body in the morning without relying on eggs.

High-Protein Breakfast Ideas Without Eggs

(Nutrient-Dense and Hormone-Loving!)

Here are some of our favorite egg-free breakfasts that will leave you satisfied, energized, and well-nourished:

• Breakfast burrito – Fill a gluten-free wrap with beans, meat, brown rice, and even a little cheese (if dairy works for you).

• Protein-packed waffles – Use a gluten-free waffle mix and add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to the batter.

  (Bonus Tip from Wendy! For most any baking recipe for pancakes, waffles, muffins you can substitute canned pumpkin or applesauce for the egg and it works beautifully without changing the flavor. Pumpkin adds tons of nutrients!)

• Protein shake – A nutrient-dense shake like KaChava (dairy-free and gluten-free) is great on-the-go or after a workout.

• Avocado toast with breakfast meat – Pair your toast with turkey bacon or sausage for a hearty and balanced meal.

• Steel cut oats – Load them up with nuts, seeds, and blueberries for a fiber- and protein-rich bowl.

• Coconut milk yogurt bowl – Top with nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit. Add a side of turkey bacon or clean sausage for extra protein.

• Bagel & lox – A gluten-free bagel with dairy-free cream cheese and smoked salmon is both satisfying and supportive of brain and thyroid health.

• Chia seed pudding – Full of fiber, healthy fats, and plant-based protein.

• Veggie hash – A warm sauté of zucchini, summer squash, and hash browns with breakfast sausage is cozy and filling.

• Breakfast soup – Yes, soup for breakfast! Butternut squash soup with your favorite meat is a soothing, nutrient-packed way to start the day.

• In a Hurry? 3 slices of turkey bacon alone is around 20 grams of protein! If you're in a hurry you can just pop them in the air fryer and it's a mess free way to take your breakfast on the go!

These ideas are not only high in protein but also help support hormone balance and steady energy—especially important for women navigating thyroid or adrenal issues.

Ready to Dig Deeper?

If you’re tired of being dismissed or told “everything looks fine” when you know something’s not right, it’s time for a new approach.

Connect with Wendy Shuff, ND, RN via her Natural Health Network listing and book a virtual consultation. She’ll help you get the answers your body has been asking for all along.