Thyroid & Autoimmune problems

Thyroid Issues

You are exhausted. You have put on weight despite not changing what you eat. You feel cold when everyone else is comfortable. You have told your doctor, and your blood tests have come back normal. You have been told there is nothing wrong.

This is one of the most common presentations Mark Webster sees. And it is one of the most treatable.

What the standard tests miss

Standard thyroid testing in New Zealand typically measures TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and sometimes T4. These tests use reference ranges based on population averages, and a result within that range is reported as 'normal.'

However, TSH and T4 alone do not give a complete picture of thyroid function. They do not measure how well your body is converting T4 to the active form T3, whether thyroid hormone is being properly used at the cellular level, or whether an autoimmune process such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis is affecting function before standard markers become abnormal.

Mark assesses the full thyroid picture, including T3, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies where indicated, alongside nutritional factors such as iodine, selenium, zinc, B vitamins, magnesium, iron and vitamin D that are essential for thyroid function.

Common thyroid-related symptoms

• Persistent fatigue and low energy, especially in the morning

• Unexplained weight gain, or difficulty losing weight despite dietary efforts

• Feeling cold, especially in the hands and feet

• Brain fog, poor concentration, and memory issues

• Dry skin and hair, or hair thinning

• Depression or low mood

• Constipation and slow digestion

• Heavy or irregular periods

• Puffiness around the eyes or face

What Mark will look at in a thyroid consultation

Mark will review your existing test results and, if appropriate, recommend additional testing to fill the gaps standard panels miss. He will ask about your diet and nutritional status, your family history, any autoimmune conditions, and your medication history, including any medications that may be affecting thyroid function as a side effect.

Where a nutritional deficiency is contributing to thyroid underperformance, this can often be addressed through diet and supplementation. Where medication is the cause, Mark will work with your prescribing doctor to review options. Where an autoimmune process is involved, he will focus on reducing the inflammatory drivers.

The goal is a plan that addresses your actual thyroid function, not just your TSH number.

Autoimmune conditions

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common autoimmune thyroid condition, and one of the most under diagnosed. It occurs when the immune system attacks thyroid tissue, causing inflammation and gradual reduction in thyroid function. Antibody testing (TPO and TG antibodies) is required to identify it, and these tests are not always included in a standard thyroid panel.

Mark also works with other autoimmune presentations, including inflammatory conditions where gut health, diet, and immune function play a central role. An integrative approach, addressing diet, gut health, nutrient status, and stress alongside any conventional treatment, consistently produces better outcomes than medication alone.