Course Description: Obtain a better understanding of thyroid function and how to manage treatment through natural protocols. Course Goals & Objectives To teach physicians how to treat thyroid issues using functional medicine approaches. Monday morning ready protocols for doctors to utilize Program Topics Major Patterns of thyroid dysfunction Metabolic issues and thyroid Tyroid and the ANS I. Introduction to thyroid function a. Epidemiology b. Hypothyroid symptoms II. The history and physical examination a. What to look for in the history b. How to identify hypothyroid by physical exam III. Thyroid hormone and its effect on major organ systems a. Review of secondary signs and symptoms IV. HPT axis and the negative feedback loop a. Secondary influences to thyroid function V. The hypothalamus and pituitary connection a. Secondary functional hypothyroid b. Tertiary functional hypothyroid VI. Thyroid physiology a. The TPO’s b. Essential elements for building thyroid hormone VII. Thyroid hormone transportation a. Estrogen and testosterone influence VIII.T4 to T3 conversion a. The liver and its role b. GI and its role IX. T4 to T3 conversion inside the cell a. Essential nutrients b. Importance of lifestyle X. Labs a. What to run and how to interpret XI. Autoimmune and the thyroid a. Hashimoto’s b. Grave’s XII. Putting it all together a. How to put history, physical and labs together to develop care protocols b. How to set re-examinations to improve outcomes