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Hormone Therapy
Thyroid Evaluation & Management in Mukilteo, WA
Comprehensive thyroid testing and individualized treatment for hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and other thyroid-related symptoms.
A NOTE FROM ELIZABETH
In My Own Words
So many people come to me after being told their thyroid labs are ‘normal,’ even though they don't feel like themselves. I take those symptoms seriously. We look at the full picture together, not just one number on a page, so you get an answer that actually explains what you're experiencing.
— Elizabeth Hagen, ARNP, Owner & Provider
CANDIDACY & SAFETY
When to Consider a Thyroid Evaluation
Unexplained fatigue, weight changes, hair thinning, mood changes, or a family history of thyroid conditions are all good reasons to request thyroid testing, even if a prior lab result was reported as normal.
Thyroid medication requires periodic lab monitoring to confirm proper dosing, which is scheduled as part of your ongoing care.
Understanding Thyroid Function
The thyroid produces hormones that help regulate metabolism and influence energy, body temperature, heart rate, digestion, mood, and other functions throughout the body. When thyroid hormone production is too low or too high, the effects can involve multiple body systems and may overlap with symptoms caused by other medical conditions, medications, hormone changes, nutritional deficiencies, or lifestyle factors.
Because these symptoms are not specific to thyroid disease, evaluation begins with understanding what you are experiencing rather than assuming the thyroid is the cause.
What is a Comprehensive Thyroid Evaluation?
A comprehensive evaluation combines your symptoms, health history, medications, and thyroid laboratory results. Looking at the full clinical picture helps identify whether thyroid function may be contributing to changes in energy, metabolism, mood, hair, skin, or weight.
Monitoring Thyroid Treatment Over Time
Thyroid treatment requires ongoing monitoring of your symptoms, overall health, treatment response, and laboratory results to ensure your medication remains safe, effective, and appropriately adjusted to your individual needs over time.
A PLAN BUILT AROUND YOUR BIOLOGY
Looking Beyond a Single Lab Value or Result
A laboratory reference range provides important information, but a single result does not always explain why you are experiencing symptoms. Changes in energy, weight, mood, concentration, hair, skin, temperature tolerance, sleep, bowel function, or heart rate can have more than one possible cause.
When the thyroid results do not adequately explain what you are experiencing, I consider whether another condition, medication, hormone change, nutritional issue, or metabolic factor may warrant further evaluation.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Individualized Thyroid Treatment Options
Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include thyroid hormone replacement, medication to manage an overactive thyroid, or ongoing monitoring if your levels are borderline. We discuss the reasoning behind each recommendation so you understand your plan.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR TREATMENT
Your Treatment, Explained
How Thyroid Evaluation Works
Thyroid evaluation includes a review of your symptoms, medical history, medications and supplements, previous thyroid diagnoses or treatment, family history when relevant, and prior laboratory results.
Laboratory testing is selected according to the clinical question. Depending on your history and symptoms, testing may include thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free T4, free T3, and thyroid antibodies such as thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, with additional testing when clinically indicated.
The individual values are considered together rather than interpreted in isolation. I also consider how your laboratory findings correspond with your symptoms, medications, previous results, and overall clinical picture.
Thyroid care does not end when medication is prescribed. Follow-up laboratory testing and clinical monitoring help evaluate your response to treatment, assess medication safety and effectiveness, and determine whether adjustments are needed.
I review changes in your laboratory results alongside changes in your symptoms and overall health. The frequency of follow-up testing depends on your diagnosis, medication, recent treatment changes, laboratory findings, and individual clinical needs.
The goal is not simply to change a laboratory number. It is to use your history, symptoms, examination when appropriate, laboratory findings, and response to treatment together to make informed decisions about your thyroid care.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A process built around your safety and progress
01
Symptom Review & Thyroid Panel
We review your symptoms and health history and order a comprehensive thyroid lab panel, going beyond a single TSH value when your symptoms call for it.
When a thyroid disorder is identified, treatment depends on the diagnosis, laboratory findings, symptoms, medical history, and other factors relevant to your health.
For patients who require thyroid medication, treatment may include initiating therapy, continuing an established medication, or adjusting treatment when clinically appropriate. Medication selection and dosing are individualized rather than based on the same target or treatment approach for every patient.
Not every abnormal thyroid result requires medication, and thyroid medication is not appropriate simply because symptoms associated with thyroid disease are present. The goal is to establish the correct diagnosis and use treatment when there is a clinical indication for it.
02
Diagnosis & Personalized Plan
Your results are reviewed in the context of your symptoms and history to determine whether treatment is needed, and if so, which approach fits your specific thyroid pattern.
03
Ongoing Monitoring
Follow-up labs confirm your thyroid levels are responding appropriately to treatment, with adjustments made as needed over time.
TREATMENT GOALS & MONITORING
Your goals, progress, and ongoing care
What We’re Working Toward
The goal is to identify or rule out thyroid dysfunction, relieve symptoms when treatment is appropriate, and support stable thyroid function without over- or undertreatment.
How We Monitor Progress
Follow-up visits review how you feel alongside repeat thyroid testing. Medication doses and monitoring intervals are adjusted according to your clinical response and laboratory results.
AFTERCARE & RECOVERY
Medication Use, Follow-Up, and When to Call
Take thyroid medication exactly as prescribed and use it consistently in relation to meals. If you take levothyroxine, it is commonly taken with water on an empty stomach; separate calcium, iron, and certain supplements or medications by the interval discussed with the clinic. Do not change brands, dose, or timing without letting us know.
Complete follow-up laboratory testing as scheduled because symptoms alone cannot confirm whether a dose is appropriate. Contact the clinic for persistent palpitations, tremor, unusual sweating, significant sleep changes, diarrhea, worsening fatigue, swelling, or other new symptoms. Seek urgent care for chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, or a serious allergic reaction.
LOCAL, PERSONALIZED CARE
Serving Mukilteo and surrounding communities
Hagen Health & Absolute Aesthetics welcomes patients from Mukilteo, Everett, Lynnwood, across Snohomish County, and Whidbey Island.
BEGIN WITH A CONVERSATION
Not Feeling Like Yourself?
Schedule a consultation to review your symptoms and get a comprehensive thyroid evaluation.
BOOK NOW →PATIENT REVIEWS
What Patients Say About Their Care
“Elizabeth is thorough and she took the time to really understand what I was looking for with regards to my skincare goals.”
L.H. · GOOGLE REVIEW
“Elizabeth is informative, well trained and offers many skin care services. I like her in home facility as it provides a comfortable, relaxing environment.”
A.V. · GOOGLE REVIEW
“From the calming ambiance of the studio to the personalized care and advice, she never tries to upsell any services, and there is never pressure to book the next appointment.”
K.G. · VAGARO REVIEW
* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.