Thyroid Health & Naturopathic Care in Midtown Toronto
A Functional, Root-Cause Approach to Thyroid Health; Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s & Metabolic Slowdown
Most people don’t think about their thyroid health until something feels “off.” Low energy, stubborn weight gain, dry skin, thinning hair on head, unwanted hair on chin, digestive changes, and lower brain clarity can show up months or even years before blood work becomes obviously abnormal. The thyroid is one of the smallest glands in the body, but it influences nearly every system organ. When it begins to struggle with either low or high function, life slows down with it.
As a Naturopathic Doctor in Midtown Toronto, my role is to understand why your thyroid isn’t functioning the way it should and to help you restore balance using evidence-based, holistic strategies tailored uniquely to you.
What Exactly Does Your Thyroid Do?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck. Its main job is to produce hormones, primarily T4 and T3 that regulate these functions:
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Metabolism and caloric burn
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Body temperature
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Energy levels and mental clarity
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Heart rate
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Hair, skin, and nail health
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Digestive speed
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Reproductive hormone balance
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Mood, sleep, and overall resilience
When the thyroid slows down, so does everything else!
Hypothyroidism vs. Hyperthyroidism (In Simple Terms)
Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)
This is the most common thyroid disorder. It happens when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones.
Typical symptoms include:
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Fatigue that feels “out of proportion” to your day activity
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Unexplained weight gain or inability to lose weight
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Feeling cold, even in normal temperatures
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Hair thinning or shedding
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Slowed digestion or constipation
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Low mood, brain fog, poor memory
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Dry skin and brittle nails
One of my patients described her hypothyroidism as “living with the brakes on”! So true!
Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)
Less common but equally impactful.
Symptoms include:
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Anxiety or feeling “wired”
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Unexplained weight loss
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Racing heart
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Heat intolerance
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Diarrhea
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Sleep disturbances
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Sweating and trembling
Hyperthyroidism weakens the body by running at full speed at all times. Wasting muscles and bone density are very common.
Pain Points That Many Thyroid Patients Face
You may recognize these frustrations:
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“My thyroid labs came back ‘normal,’ but I still feel awful.”
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“Each specialist treats one symptom, nobody looks at the whole picture.”
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“I’ve been told to just take medication and wait. But now years pass and nothing changes.”
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“No one has checked my gut health, other hormones, minerals, stress levels, or some other things that may help me.”
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“I feel something is wrong, but I can't get any answers.”
It is a reality that thyroid issues are often missed until they progress significantly.
Routine Thyroid Health Lab Test
Conventional blood work for screening usually includes only TSH, and sometimes T4. These tests are essential tests, but they often detect thyroid issues only once the gland is already strained. Early dysfunction, inflammation, autoimmune activity, nutrient deficiencies, and hormone conversion problems can remain hidden for years, if we just stay testing at this level.
For a deeper understanding of subtle or early thyroid changes, many patients benefit from expanded testing and root-cause assessment.
You can learn more about this early-stage problem in my blog “Silent Hypothyroidism”, available here:
Conventional Treatment (Brief Overview)
For hypothyroidism, medications such as Levothyroxine are standard and often necessary for life. The goal is to replace missing hormones and stabilize metabolism.
However, medication alone doesn’t address:
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Gut-thyroid interaction
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Autoimmune triggers (as seen in Hashimoto’s)
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Nutrient deficiencies
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Inflammation or stress load
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Hormone conversion problems (T4 → T3)
This is where a naturopathic, functional-medicine approach like what Dr. Manesh ND utilizes, becomes essential.
Dr. Manesh, ND’s Holistic Perspective on Thyroid Health
As a naturopathic doctor, I look at the thyroid as part of a larger network, not an isolated organ.
Thyroid function is shaped by:
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Gut microbiome
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Immune system balance
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Stress & cortisol patterns
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Estrogen, progesterone, and adrenal hormones
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Nutrient status (iodine, selenium, zinc, iron, magnesium, Vit D,...)
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Detoxification pathways
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Chronic inflammation
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Environmental exposures
This is why two people with the same TSH number can feel completely different.
Why Functional-Advanced Testing Matters
Functional testing helps detect subtle imbalances before they become full thyroid disease and guides precision-based treatment. Knowing the fact that each person is different, these are examples of tests that I may choose to recommend based on your unique needs::
Advanced Thyroid Panels
To assess hormone conversion, autoimmune activity, and subtle thyroid slowdown.
Advanced Stool Test & Microbiome Testing
Because up to 20% of thyroid hormone conversion happens in the gut, assessing dysbiosis, inflammation, and infections is crucial.
Comprehensive Nutrient & Mineral Analysis
For understanding iodine, selenium, zinc, iron, Vit D, B12, and other cofactors.
Adrenal & Cortisol Panels
To evaluate stress-thyroid interaction.
Advanced testing helps uncover the root triggers so treatment becomes targeted—not generic.
How Naturopathic Functional Medicine Works
My approach blends medical science with holistic care:
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Investigate deeply using advanced diagnostics.
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Identify root causes—not just symptoms.
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Correct imbalances using diet, lifestyle, herbs, stress management techniques, and supplementation where appropriate.
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Support long-term thyroid resilience, not just in moments of crisis.
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Work collaboratively with your MD or endocrinologist when medication adjustments are needed.
What We Offer:
✔ Comprehensive Thyroid Assessment
Functional thyroid panel + symptom analysis + nutritional evaluation.
✔ Gut-Thyroid Optimization Program
Microbiome testing, gut healing protocols, and strategies to improve hormone conversion.
✔ Autoimmune Thyroid Care (Hashimoto’s and Grave’s Focus)
Inflammation reduction, immune balancing, and personalized triggers assessment.
Read more in my blog here.
✔ Personalized Nutrition, Herbal & Supplement Planning
Based on lab data—never guesswork.
✔ Stress & Hormone Regulation Support
Adrenal support, sleep optimization, and nervous-system balancing techniques.
✔ Acupuncture for Thyroid-Related Symptoms
Stress relief, fatigue improvement, and support for metabolism and digestion.
✔ Ongoing Monitoring & Follow-Up
To ensure progress, adjust interventions, and support long-term thyroid vitality.
Botanical Medicine & Supplement Examples
Herbs traditionally used for thyroid and metabolic balance include:
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Ashwagandha – supports stress resilience and thyroid conversion
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Bladderwrack – gentle iodine source in specific cases
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Bacopa – cognitive support in hypothyroid-related brain fog
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Coleus forskohlii – may support metabolic balance
Two common nutrient examples for thyroid health:
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Iodine
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Selenium
However, these are not generic recommendations.
Thyroid nutrients should only be taken after proper testing and consultation with an ND or MD, because excess or inappropriate use can worsen thyroid function or trigger autoimmune activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do you treat thyroid conditions in Toronto?
Yes, I provide naturopathic thyroid care to patients across Midtown Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, both in-clinic and virtually.
2. Can naturopathy help me if my thyroid labs are “normal”?
Absolutely Yes! This is where functional naturopathy really shines. Many patients still experience symptoms due to other reasons such as gut imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, hormone conversion issues, or early-stage autoimmune activity.
3. Do you work alongside family doctors and endocrinologists?
Yes. I do believe an integrative approach to health always produces the best outcomes.
4. I think I have thyroid problems—where do I start?
We begin with a detailed assessment, followed by any necessary functional lab testing and a personalized treatment strategy.
5. Do you help with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
Yes. Autoimmune thyroid disease such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis requires a layered approach: gut health, inflammation, nutrient repletion, and immune regulation.As I mentioned above we go layer by layer, and fix one step at a time.
Why Patients in Midtown Toronto Choose Naturopathic Clinic of Dr Manesh ND
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Holistic, science-based care
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Personalized testing
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Comfortable, private environment
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Treatments rooted in naturopathic medicine without “one-size-fits-all” protocols
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Experience in women’s health, hormonal balance, gut health, and stress medicine
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Convenient location for Midtown Toronto, Forest Hill, Davisville, Yonge & Eglinton, Rosedale, and North York residents
Ready to Understand Your Thyroid, Not Just Manage It?
If you feel “not yourself” despite “normal” labs, a deeper, functional approach can give you the answers you are longing for.
Book your comprehensive thyroid assessment today and start feeling like yourself again.
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Find Us in Midtown Toronto
Nearby intersections : Eglinton West and Avenue Rd,
The neighbourhood : Mid town Toronto, Layton Park,Forest hill, Chaplin Estates, Davisville, Yonge & Eglinton, Rosedale, residents
Close to Yonge and Eglinton Center subway station.
Parking information: There is a Green P parking lot close to clinic. The "Location ID" is 047 for the Green P Parking App for the Green P Parking Lot.
Author’s Bio:
This article was written by Dr. Masoumeh Shayesteh Manesh, ND, a Registered Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario, Canada, practicing in Midtown Toronto. Dr. Manesh ND helps in holistic skin and hormone health, with additional focus on digestive wellness, Women's Health Toronto,and mood balance.
Before moving to Canada, she earned her degree as Doctorate of Medicine abroad and spent over 30 years practicing medicine, bringing a unique integrative perspective that combines medical experience with natural, evidence-informed approaches to patient care.
Keywords: Thyroid Health, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Hyperthyroidism, Grave's Disease Toronto, Naturopath thyroid Toronto, Naturopathic Hypothyroidism Treatment, Naturopath Hashimoto's thyroiditis Toronto, Naturopathic Doctor thyroid Toronto,