For people leading an active lifestyle in Charlottesville, a dip in energy levels or persistent brain fog is more than just an inconvenience. It compromises daily function. Many find themselves pushing harder—hitting the gym, eating clean—but still dealing with stubborn weight gain or recovery issues. This indicates that the thyroid gland, the essential regulator of your metabolic function, may be under-optimized.
At Longevity Health Clinic, we approach thyroid optimization by focusing on enhancement and correction. We move past outdated lab standards to identify the root causes of your thyroid dysfunction, ensuring your thyroid hormone system is supporting the mental clarity and vitality required for your best life. We'll tune up your metabolism for peak performance.
Thyroid Optimization at Longevity Health Clinic in Charlottesville, VA, moves beyond the conventional levothyroxine dose and TSH measurement. Led by Dr. Jason Itri, MD, PhD, an IFM-trained physician, our clinic offers a functional medicine approach to solving complex metabolic and hormonal imbalances.
We provide a comprehensive evaluation that assesses your symptoms and identifies the root causes driving your thyroid dysfunction. Our goal is to achieve genuine thyroid optimization for measurable improvement in quality of life and sustained better health.
Thyroid dysfunction refers to any condition in which thyroid hormone production, peripheral conversion, transport, receptor signaling, or cellular utilization is impaired, resulting in a wide range of systemic symptoms. While the thyroid gland primarily produces thyroxine (T4), most biologically active triiodothyronine (T3)—as well as inactive reverse T3 (rT3)—is generated through enzymatic conversion in peripheral tissues and organs. Because thyroid hormone regulates basal metabolic rate, energy production, thermogenesis, and cellular function, impaired thyroid signaling can affect virtually every organ system in the body.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is underactive, failing to produce enough thyroid hormone. Subclinical hypothyroidism describes the common gray area where TSH levels are slightly elevated within a "normal" lab range, but the patient experiences symptoms of low energy, brain fog, and weight gain. This condition is a primary focus for thyroid optimization.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of thyroid disease in the United States. It is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks thyroid tissue, leading to progressive inflammation and impaired thyroid hormone production. Unlike primary hypothyroidism alone, Hashimoto’s is fundamentally an immune-mediated disorder and requires an approach that addresses immune regulation, intestinal integrity, and systemic inflammation.
A growing body of evidence demonstrates a strong association between Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and gluten sensitivity, even in the absence of celiac disease. Molecular mimicry between gluten proteins and thyroid tissue may promote autoimmune cross-reactivity, while increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) can further amplify immune activation. In many patients, eliminating gluten reduces autoimmune antibody levels, improves inflammatory burden, and may slow disease progression while improving symptoms and thyroid hormone utilization.
This is a critical issue where the thyroid gland produces enough T4 hormone, but the body fails to convert it efficiently into the active T3 hormone, often shunting it to Reverse T3 (rT3). This impaired conversion leads to classic hypothyroidism symptoms despite TSH and T4 levels appearing adequate.
Our diagnostic process moves far beyond the standard TSH test to perform a truly comprehensive evaluation of the entire thyroid axis and related systems. We believe an accurate diagnosis requires integrating lab results with your detailed medical history and current subjective symptoms.
We routinely measure the complete hormone cascade, which is essential for effective thyroid optimization:
A comprehensive evaluation also requires looking at related systems, as the thyroid never operates in isolation:
The most common causes of persistent thyroid dysfunction—especially those that drive up Reverse T3 and lead to weight gain despite normal TSH—are rooted in systemic stress and inflammation. High rT3 is the body’s protective mechanism, signaling a conservation state due to perceived danger.
Primary Drivers of High Reverse T3 (rT3)
If you are experiencing any of these persistent symptoms, a comprehensive evaluation for thyroid optimization is warranted:
Our treatment philosophy prioritizes resolving the root causes first. We use a step-wise approach, ensuring interventions are precise and synergistic, leading to long-term health improvement.
Our Personalized Treatment Protocol
Achieving optimal thyroid function restores the body's baseline metabolic function and significantly enhances overall well-being.
Our commitment to thyroid optimization is built on profound personal understanding and advanced clinical expertise.
Dr. Jason Itri, MD, PhD (Functional Medicine Physician and Clinic Owner) provides a level of experience and trustworthiness that few practices can match:
Your personalized health journey begins with a thorough consultation and preparation phase.
The consultation involves a deep dive into your medical history, current medications, and a detailed mapping of your symptoms against your life stressors. We prioritize listening to your experience—your symptoms are the context for interpreting your lab results.
Based on the consultation, we order the comprehensive evaluation bloodwork, which includes the full thyroid panel (TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, and Antibodies) as well as integrated markers for inflammation, gut health, and concurrent hormonal imbalances (e.g., testosterone, iron/ferritin). There is minimal physical preparation; we may ask you to fast before the blood draw, but your primary preparation is providing a complete picture of your health story.
Thyroid Optimization is not a single, one-time procedure; it is an ongoing, adaptive treatment phase guided by data and symptoms.
The Treatment Phase
Following diagnosis, our clinic implements the multi-step personalized treatment plan:
Thyroid optimization is an ongoing process requiring partnership and consistent monitoring to achieve long-term health.
Monitoring and Aftercare
The cost of thyroid optimization is highly personalized. It is not based on a single price point but on a customized approach that includes:
We prioritize transparency. During your consultation, we will provide a clear breakdown of the expected costs based on your medical history and diagnostic needs.
Do not let chronic fatigue, brain fog, or unshakeable weight gain dictate your quality of life. Begin your path to optimal thyroid function and increased energy with a consultation with our trusted team of wellness specialists in Charlottesville, VA.
We test Reverse T3 because it is a biologically inactive hormone that acts as a metabolic brake, blocking active T3 from reaching cell receptors. High rT3 is a key indicator of chronic stress or impaired conversion, where your body is attempting to conserve energy levels.
We prioritize addressing the root causes (gut health, stress, nutrients) and routinely test and manage Reverse T3, integrate other hormonal imbalances, and apply the personalized, empathetic wisdom of the functional medicine approach.
Yes. Gluten sensitivity, celiac disease, and leaky gut can trigger a systemic inflammatory response, which directly interferes with T4 to T3 conversion and perpetuates autoimmune thyroid disease like Hashimoto's.
Rapid weight loss from GLP-1s can trigger adaptive thermogenesis. This protective mechanism increases the conversion of T4 into the inactive Reverse T3, causing the metabolic function to slow down and creating a stubborn weight-loss plateau.
We start by treating the root causes first. If conversion remains impaired or the patient has persistent symptoms despite normalized labs, we use a specialized protocol that may include precise T4/T3 combination therapy based on a comprehensive evaluation.
