Think It’s Your Thyroid? Here’s Why You Might Be Wrong — Dr. Eric Balcavage Explains
Summary
- Thyroid Symptoms Are Often an Adaptive Response: Dr. Balcavage explains that low T3 and high reverse T3 levels often reflect the body’s protective adaptation to stress, not a failing thyroid gland.
- Functional Medicine Often Misses the Root Cause: Even functional approaches may misinterpret labs and treat with unnecessary T3. Instead, Dr. Balcavage urges practitioners to assess the stressors triggering the cellular defense state.
- Multisystem Adaptive Disorder (MSAD): Gut issues, adrenal fatigue, and hormonal imbalances are interconnected symptoms of the body’s attempt to protect itself from chronic stress, which he defines as a “multisystem adaptive disorder,” not isolated conditions.
