Medically reviewed by Marcus Spurlock, MD, Medical Director — last reviewed September 2026
If your bloodwork came back “normal” but you still feel exhausted, cold, foggy, or like your body just isn’t working the way it used to — you’re not imagining it, and you’re not alone.
Standard thyroid testing misses a lot: it’s common to fall inside a “normal” lab range and still feel terrible, because that range is wide enough to overlook what’s actually optimal for your body.
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid — a small gland at the front of your neck — doesn’t produce enough hormone to properly drive your metabolism, energy, temperature regulation, and cognitive function. It’s far more common than most people realize, affecting an estimated 50 million Americans, many of whom don’t know it.
At Renewed Vitality, our thyroid care team runs a far more thorough panel than the single TSH test most doctors rely on, and reads the results against what’s optimal for you, not just what’s average.
We treat hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s disease, Graves’ disease, hyperthyroidism, and related thyroid disorders with individualized, evidence-based protocols, so you can start feeling like yourself again.
Common Questions about Our Thyroid Treatment
“Normal” lab ranges are wide, and many people feel unwell well within them. Standard testing often only checks TSH, missing free T3, free T4, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies. A full panel read against optimal — not just average — levels catches what basic testing misses.
Yes. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition that gradually damages the thyroid, so hormone levels can swing between too low and too high as damaged tissue releases stored hormone. That’s why symptoms and lab results can look inconsistent over time.
Reverse T3 is an inactive form your body can produce instead of active T3, often under stress or illness. High Reverse T3 blocks active hormone from reaching your cells, so you can have “normal” T4 levels and still have every symptom of an underactive thyroid.
TSH measures a pituitary signal, not your actual thyroid hormone levels. A full panel adds free T3, free T4, reverse T3, and antibody testing, giving a complete picture of how your thyroid is functioning and whether hormone is being used effectively at the cellular level.
For some people, yes — for many, no. Synthroid supplies T4, which the body must convert to active T3. That conversion doesn’t always work well, and some patients need a different hormone form, dose, or combination to feel meaningfully better.
Hashimoto’s is diagnosed with a blood test checking for thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, alongside a full thyroid hormone panel. Most people with Hashimoto’s have elevated TPO antibodies, though some don’t — especially early on — which is why symptoms and history matter too.
Thyroid Fundamentals
Your thyroid may be small, but it’s a master gland for your body. That’s why it’s so important to optimize your thyroid function.[/caption]
The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped organ at the front of your neck. Though it only produces one teaspoon of thyroid hormone per year, it is critical for your overall health and drives the metabolic rate of every cell in your body.
The thyroid is a master hormone. It regulates temperature, metabolism, and cerebral function. And it is a massive contributor to energy levels and the body’s ability to maintain a constant temperature.
The thyroid hormone helps remove cellular waste, increases fat breakdown, improves hair growth of the scalp and eyebrows, and reduces cholesterol levels and body weight. It is vital in the prevention of cognitive deterioration.
Plus, the thyroid hormone is critical for fertility in women. Many women who go through expensive infertility treatments simply need thyroid hormone replacement.
Think of the thyroid hormone as the overseer of the body, telling all the other organs to get to work!
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is the most common type of thyroid disorder we treat at Renewed Vitality.
This is a condition in which the thyroid gland is not providing enough thyroid hormone to drive the metabolism of the body, causing symptoms associated with a slow metabolism.
Hypothyroidism is much more prevalent than most people realize: Some studies show that over 50 million Americans have this all-too-common medical condition.
Millions of people suffer from common symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland and don’t know it, yet Thyroid Replacement could benefit them greatly.
Diagnosis of Hypothyroidism
It is common practice in the medical field to only do surface-level testing for hypothyroidism. Frequently, the only blood test recommended is the Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone test.
Doctors often assume that if the pituitary is functioning and telling the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (via TSH), there will be adequate amounts of active thyroid hormone in the body, and everything is fine. Some physicians will do a little deeper testing and check T3 and T4 levels.
However, even when proper testing is done, the reference range is so wide that a patient can still be within the “normal” range, and be feeling terrible. That’s because they don’t have the optimum levels of active thyroid hormones in their body necessary for their own individual needs.
If a patient is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the standard treatment is to prescribe a synthetic form of T4, which rarely gets converted into T3, the active form of thyroid hormone. Or worse, T4 converts to Reverse T3, which further aggravates the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
This is why so many people come through the doors of Renewed Vitality after years of not knowing why they feel awful or after years of ineffective treatment.
Common Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Weight gain and difficulty losing weight
- Weakness
- Dry, coarse hair
- Dry skin
- Hair loss
- Cold intolerance
- Cold hands and feet
- Muscle cramps
- Frequent muscle aches
- Constipation
- Depression
- Irritability
- Memory loss
- Abnormal menstrual cycles
- Decreased libido
Most people have varying combinations and severity levels of these symptoms. If you have some of these symptoms, come in for testing.
Here at Renewed Vitality, Dr. Spurlock and his nurse practitioners do a thorough panel of tests to check out every aspect of thyroid hormone production and its utilization in the body.
Our tests are much more thorough than most. And we don’t use antiquated systems to read the results, as is very common in the medical industry.
Even if you have been tested before and were told that your thyroid levels are “normal”, if you still have some of these symptoms, come see us for testing. We offer the best thyroid treatment in Dallas.
“I consulted Dr. Spurlock because I’m getting older and had lost so much energy and felt blah. Blood work was done and medication was prescribed. The results are just FANTASTIC… I feel like a new man. Thanks Dr. Spurlock for a job well done!!!” – Steve C. *
The Renewed Vitality Solution for Hypothyroidism: Thyroid Replacement Therapy
Once we make a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, we create and implement your individualized treatment plan.
The goal of thyroid hormone replacement therapy is to compensate for the lack of hormone secreted by your thyroid gland.
A wide variety of types and forms of replacement thyroid hormone are available. Dr. Spurlock has had great success with prescribing bioidentical T3 hormone in capsule form from compounding pharmacies.
However, it’s important to understand that every patient’s therapy will be different. There’s no set treatment plan for thyroid hormone replacement therapy. How the body absorbs the hormones, along with the number of hormones it needs, is quite varied.
We will individualize your treatment plan based exactly on your lab results and symptoms. As such, you should expect that we will adjust the dosage and forms of therapy until we have the optimal formula for you.
At Renewed Vitality, we take pride and joy in having helped hundreds of people successfully overcome hypothyroidism and restoring them back to the healthy and energetic life they once enjoyed!
“Dr. Spurlock is one of the finest physicians that I have had the pleasure to work with. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the areas of anti-aging medicine, environmental medicine, as well as ‘traditional’ medicine. He is a caring and compassionate patient advocate and patients flock to him from around the world because he is able to make a difference in their condition when no other physician can. I highly recommend Dr. Spurlock.” – Arlyn L. MD *
The Thyroid Doctor in Dallas You Can Trust!
Additional Thyroid Disorders and Their Treatment
Hashimoto’s Disease
Hashimoto’s disease was the first disease to be recognized as an autoimmune disorder. Discovered in 1912 in Japan by Dr. Kakaru Hashimoto, it occurs when the immune system views the thyroid as a foreign intruder and starts destroying it.
Hashimoto’s disease is characterized by alternating occurrences of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism: there simply isn’t enough thyroid hormone because the gland is under attack and not functioning properly.
Hyperthyroidism: the thyroid cells are destroyed, and the reserved thyroid hormone is released into the bloodstream.
Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is an enzyme typically occurring in a healthy thyroid gland. TPO is integral to the creation of thyroid hormones. In patients with Hashimoto’s disease, the immune system makes antibodies against TPO that mistakenly attack the healthy tissue.
If TPO antibodies are present in blood samples, it suggests that the cause of thyroid disease is an autoimmune disorder, such as Hashimoto’s disease. Most individuals with Hashimoto’s will have elevated TPO levels; however, some may not, especially in the early stages.
Hashimoto’s can come from insufficient iodine, selenium, iron, and zinc. A comprehensive approach to treating this disease includes nutrient repletion and thyroid hormone replacement.
It is also likely that other hormones will be lacking or off-balance because the thyroid hormone influences them. That’s why we also check the hormones DHEA, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and others, and adjust them as needed.
Read more about Hashimoto’s disease HERE.
Hyperthyroidism and Graves Disease
Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much T3 and T4. Symptoms include:
- panic attacks
- shortness of breath
- increased heart rate
- shaky hands
- continual diarrhea
- unexplained weight loss
- irritability
- excessive hair loss
- unrelenting sweating
- severe muscle fatigue
- sleep problems that lead to relentless exhaustion
Hyperthyroidism occurs more frequently in women than men, and usually in the 40 to 60 age range. Doctors often misdiagnose hyperthyroidism as anxiety or a cardiac disorder. Yet, if left untreated, it can lead to a thyroid storm (thyrotoxicosis), which can be fatal. Symptoms include high fevers, abnormally fast heart rate, queasiness and vomiting, shakiness, agitation, and psychosis.
We diagnose hyperthyroidism through in-depth laboratory testing, physical examination, and investigation of health history and symptom evaluation.
Your thyroid doctor has several treatment options available that he will help you explore and implement. These include diet modification, especially removing corn, wheat/gluten, soy, dairy, sugar, artificial sweeteners, yeast, and anything that is genetically modified, and minimizing cruciferous veggies and/or cooking them.
Treating underlying viral and bacterial infections is also beneficial. Medications such as PTU may inhibit the production of thyroid hormones. And clinical studies show that L-carnitine supplementation can help prevent or reverse muscle weakness and other symptoms in those suffering from hyperthyroidism. Radiation or surgery is always a last resort.
Hear from One of Our Patients about Her Thyroid Treatment
Marcus Spurlock, M.D. Medical Director
Marcus Spurlock, MD, is one of the most experienced physicians in Integrative Medicine and Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy.
Dr. Spurlock specializes in treating fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, age and weight management, sleep therapy, chronic viral syndromes, and body detoxification. He brings a wealth of experience and research to Renewed Vitality, helping his patients regain a full and energetic life.
Dr. Spurlock has worked for over 35 years in the field of viral diseases. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He’s also a member of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
Dr. Spurlock was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science and Medicine. He received his medical doctorate at the Louisiana State University School of Medicine.
He spent ten years as an associate professor at the Louisiana State University School of Medicine. There, he was a Family Practice Preceptor in the Comprehensive Care Clinic. He was also a professor and clinical physician at the Viral Disease Clinic of LSU Hospital. During this time, he was the medical director of two nursing homes in the Shreveport/Bossier City area.
He also spent three years as a staff physician in the US Air Force. While there, he got his certification as a Flight Surgeon.
Dr. Spurlock has a passion for finding solutions to environmental and age-related illnesses. He brings a variety of cutting-edge professional services to Renewed Vitality, making it the best choice for patients searching to improve their quality of life. See Dr. Spurlock’s Full Bio
“I have worked with Dr. Spurlock since 2005; he has demonstrated outstanding talents in our integrative clinical practice. Dr. Spurlock has also distinguished himself as a superb clinician, working in his profession over two decades. His competence, compassion and ethics are exemplary.
“Fortunately, too, Dr. Spurlock’s amalgamation of extensive knowledge and clinical skills comes ‘packaged’ in a wonderfully friendly, witty, sincere and caring human being. His personality is delightful. He is sensitive, flexible, respected and admired by patients, peers, subordinates and superiors alike. He shines with a humility that belies his intellectual brilliance.
“I am deeply impressed by Dr. Spurlock and recommend him unhesitatingly.” – Krystal M. *
*Results may vary from person to person.
Suzanne Bartek, APRN-CNP
Suzanne Bartek specializes in adult and gerontology health. Her areas of focus are based on the functional medicine approach of identifying and addressing the root cause of disease through assessments, lab work, and genetics.
Suzanne earned an undergraduate degree from Texas A&M and a Nurse Practitioner degree from Texas Woman’s University. Her nursing career includes caring for our veterans at the Dallas VA Hospital and practicing preventative medicine at several wellness clinics in Dallas, Plano, and Frisco. She has experience with optimizing patient health, increasing energy levels, alleviating hormonal symptoms, diet, and weight loss.
While striving for a trusting and collaborative relationship, Suzanne’s goal is to listen to the patient, understand that they are unique, and treat them using evidence-based practice solutions. She has been very successful in helping clients reach their goals. She is proud to be a part of many client success stories.
Her clinical interests include disease prevention, supplementation, and optimizing health. She has memberships and regularly attends continuing education courses with NTNP (North Texas Nurse Practitioners), TNP (Texas Nurse Practitioners), AMMG (Age Management Medicine Group), and A4M (Age Management Medicine Group).
Suzanne has lived most of her life in Dallas. She spent time in Salt Lake City and Northern California but eventually returned home to Texas. Her many interests include enjoying family, friends, sports, exercise, music, and travel.
Free Phone Consultation with our New Patient Coordinator
Renewed Vitality is a place of hope. Our knowledgeable providers are experts in their field and take the time to find the underlying causes of hormonal imbalances and illness.
We will work with you using proven, scientific-based technology, in a warm and compassionate environment, to help you restore your health so that you can live a life of vitality and wellness.
Additionally, we offer lab services in our office so that you don’t have to go to a public lab testing facility.
Please contact our New Patient Coordinator for your Free Phone Consultation. She can answer your questions and give you more information about our providers, our protocols and fees, what insurance may or may not cover, and any other details you may need.
She can also get you booked for your first appointments if you decide we are a good fit for you. There are no obligations to book an appointment.
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