A Root-Cause, Whole-Body Approach to Thyroid Health
At The Hormone Upgrade in La Jolla, we take a different approach to treating hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Instead of masking symptoms with medication alone, we work to uncover and address the underlying causes—such as gut health imbalances, chronic inflammation, stress, and nutrient deficiencies. Whether you’ve been newly diagnosed or have struggled for years, we offer hope and solutions rooted in functional medicine.
What Is Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s?
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones, which are essential for energy, metabolism, mood, and hormonal balance.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, often leading to hypothyroidism over time.
Common symptoms include:
- Fatigue and sluggishness
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Brain fog and memory issues
- Depression or mood instability
- Cold sensitivity
- Hair thinning or loss
- Constipation
- Irregular periods
If you’re experiencing these symptoms and feel dismissed or under-treated, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place.
Our Approach to Thyroid Care in La Jolla
At The Hormone Upgrade, we go beyond TSH numbers. Our thyroid treatment plans include:
Comprehensive lab testing beyond standard panels (including antibodies, reverse T3, free T3/T4)
Root cause analysis to uncover triggers like leaky gut, adrenal stress, or gluten sensitivity
Gut health restoration using nutrition, probiotics, and inflammation-reducing protocols
Lifestyle coaching to support thyroid healing through stress management, sleep optimization, and clean eating
Pharmaceutical support when appropriate, including compounded T3/T4 or desiccated thyroid options
Autoimmune-focused care for Hashimoto’s, helping calm the immune system and prevent progression
Whether you’re currently taking thyroid medication or not, we’ll meet you where you are and build a custom strategy that helps you feel better, long-term.
Why Choose The Hormone Upgrade in La Jolla
Many of our patients come to us after years of being told “your labs are normal” despite feeling anything but. At The Hormone Upgrade, we listen, dig deeper, and treat the whole person—not just your labs.
We specialize in hormone health, gut repair, and autoimmune support, offering a personalized roadmap to help you reclaim energy, clarity, and metabolic function.
What sets us apart:
- Full thyroid panels, not just TSH
- Functional medicine framework for lasting results
- Expertise in both Hashimoto’s and non-autoimmune hypothyroidism
- Combination of natural and pharmaceutical therapies
- Gut, adrenal, and lifestyle-focused treatment plans
- Boutique care in La Jolla with one-on-one support
Frequently Asked Questions
Hypothyroidism is a low-functioning thyroid. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease that causes hypothyroidism by damaging the thyroid gland. Many people in La Jolla have both, even if only one has been diagnosed.
Not necessarily. Our goal is to address the root cause. Some patients improve to the point of lowering or discontinuing meds under supervision, while others find optimal health with ongoing pharmaceutical support.
We use advanced thyroid panels including TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, TPO antibodies, TG antibodies, cortisol levels, and more. This gives a full picture of thyroid function and autoimmune activity.
Yes. Leaky gut, dysbiosis, and food sensitivities often play a role in both hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s. Gut healing is a key part of our La Jolla-based functional medicine approach.
When needed, we use medications such as levothyroxine, natural desiccated thyroid (NDT), or compounded T3/T4. But we also address immune system triggers and inflammation through diet, supplements, and stress reduction.
We go deeper than basic labs and symptom suppression. At The Hormone Upgrade, we aim to reverse the root cause of your thyroid issues using a combination of science-backed medicine and holistic care.