What Doctor Treats Hypothyroidism? (Endocrinologist vs Functional Medicine and How to pick the best for your needs)
You’ve been feeling exhausted, foggy, and not quite like yourself, but every time you bring it up, you’re told it’s “just stress” or “a part of aging.” Maybe you’ve even had your thyroid tested, only to hear that your labs are “normal,” even though your body is still screaming for help.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. For women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, undiagnosed or under-treated hypothyroidism can feel like trying to push through life with the brakes on. And that leads to the big question: What kind of doctor should I see for hypothyroidism and how do I know if they’ll actually listen?
In case you’re new here, we’re Dr. Erin Hendriks and Dr. Maricela Castillo MacKenzie, founders of Elle MD, and we arefunctional medicine thyroid doctors in Royal Oak, Michigan. We help women uncover the root causes of their symptoms, rebalance their hormones, and finally feel like themselves again, especially when the traditional system says everything looks fine.
What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid—a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck—doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone to meet your body’s needs. And because thyroid hormones affect everything from metabolism and mood to digestion and fertility, low levels can lead to a cascade of frustrating symptoms.
Common signs of hypothyroidism include:
- Constant fatigue, even after a full night of sleep
- Brain fog and poor concentration
- Cold hands and feet
- Hair thinning or hair loss
- Unexplained weight gain or inability to lose weight
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Constipation
- Depression or anxiety
Sound familiar? The issue is that many of these symptoms are brushed off or misdiagnosed—especially in women. You may have been told it's just stress, aging, or something in your head. But when your thyroid is underactive, your entire system slows down. And that deserves to be taken seriously.
What doctor typically treats hypothyroidism?
When it comes to thyroid care, you’ll likely encounter three types of providers:
1. Endocrinologists:
These are hormone specialists, and they’re often seen for more complex thyroid issues like Hashimoto’s disease or nodules. However, many endocrinologists still focus on conventional lab ranges and may not address the full picture especially if your labs fall in the “normal” range but your symptoms persist.
2. Functional Medicine Doctors:
This is where Elle MD comes in. Functional medicine looks at how well your thyroid is functioning, not just whether your TSH is within range. We go beyond the surface, running a full thyroid panel (including Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and antibodies), evaluating nutrient levels (like selenium, iron, and B vitamins), and understanding how your hormones, gut health, and stress are impacting thyroid function.
3. Integrative and Holistic Practitioners
These providers combine conventional tools with alternative therapies like nutrition, herbal support, and mind-body practices. While not all specialize in thyroid care, many take a whole-person approach that considers lifestyle, inflammation, and chronic stress—factors that deeply affect thyroid health. This type of support can complement functional medicine beautifully.
What is the best doctor to see for hypothyroidism?
The answer depends on your goals
If you are only looking for medication management, a PCP or endocrinologist can help. If you want to feel better beyond the numbers, functional medicine may be your next step.
At Elle MD, here is what we offer. We go deeper. With advanced lab testing, individualized plans, and compassionate care, we help women finally feel like themselves again, especially those navigating midlife, menopause, or chronic stress. Explore our functional medicine thyroid care in Michigan.
How functional medicine helps with hypothyroidism
Full thyroid panel testing
We do not stop at TSH. We look at:
- Free T3
- Free T4
- Reverse T3
- TPO and TG antibodies
- Nutrient levels like vitamin D, selenium, iron, and B12
Lifestyle-based interventions
Hypothyroidism is not just about a pill. We address diet, gut health, stress resilience, blood sugar balance, and more.
Personalized treatment for women in hormonal chaos
Women in their 40s and 50s often need more than standard care. We tailor treatment to your body, your symptoms, and your goals.
Endocrinologist vs functional medicine—do you have to choose?
No. Many women do best when they use both. An endocrinologist can manage your medication while a functional medicine doctor addresses the bigger picture. This dual approach gives you symptom relief now and long-term healing in the future.
Ready to treat your thyroid from the root up?
If you are done with dismissive care and want real answers, Elle MD is here for you. We specialize in helping women with hypothyroidism feel like themselves again through advanced testing, holistic support, and personalized strategies.
Book your consultationand let’s figure out what your body is trying to tell you.
*AI Disclosure:
This content may contain sections generated with AI with the purpose of providing you with condensed helpful and relevant content, however all personal opinions are 100% human made as well as the blog post structure, outline and key takeaways.
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*Blog Disclaimer: Please note that reading our blog does not replace any health or medical advice consultation. Read our blog disclaimer here.
Meet the Drs.
Dr. Hendriks and Dr. Castillo MacKenzie are board-certified physicians, female, specialized, with over 10 years of experience.
Elle MD started after practicing in a traditional primary care setting together for over a decade. We grew frustrated with the current healthcare model, which places no emphasis on addressing the root cause of chronic disease. A lot of times, conventional care doesn’t even promote overall wellness!
We founded Elle MD in Royal Oak, MI, with a vision of providing this care in a compassionate and personalized way.
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