Abnormal thyroid function tests affect patients taking common medications, hormone therapies, and over-the-counter supplements.

It is commonly associated with estrogen therapy, birth control pills, testosterone replacement, biotin supplements, opioid pain medications, and amiodarone use. If untreated or unrecognized, it increases the risk of misdiagnosis, unnecessary thyroid medication, chronic fatigue, and metabolic dysfunction.

[Visual Aid: Diagram showing thyroid regulation pathway — hypothalamus → pituitary → thyroid → T4/T3 binding and conversion — with interference points labeled for each medication category]

Q: Can birth control pills affect thyroid blood test results?

A: Yes. Estrogen-containing medications increase thyroid-binding globulin levels, which can alter your total thyroid hormone readings and lead to confusing results.

Q: Does biotin supplementation interfere with thyroid lab tests?

A: Yes. Biotin is a well-known cause of thyroid test interference. It can falsely alter TSH and thyroid hormone levels. Most labs recommend stopping biotin 48–72 hours before testing.

Q: Why do opioid pain medications cause fatigue related to thyroid function?

A: Medications like hydrocodone, oxycodone, and methadone can impair the conversion of T4 to the active T3 hormone, effectively slowing down metabolism and causing persistent tiredness.

Q: Can testosterone replacement therapy change thyroid test results?

A: Yes. Androgens and testosterone replacement decrease thyroid-binding globulin, which can lower total thyroid hormone levels on blood work even when thyroid function is actually normal.

Q: What is the difference between a true thyroid disorder and medication-induced abnormal results?

A: A true thyroid disorder involves dysfunction of the gland itself, while medication-induced changes affect how thyroid hormones are bound, converted, or measured in the blood without actual gland disease. Educational content by a board-certified primary care physician. Based on current clinical guidelines and peer-reviewed evidence. This content is for education only and does not replace medical care. Pinned Comment Suggestion:

"Have you ever had an abnormal thyroid test that turned out to be caused by a medication or supplement? Share your experience below — it might help someone else avoid unnecessary worry."

Understanding Reverse T3: Why It Shouldn't Be Tested in Outpatient Settings

Dr. Kulmeet Kundlas addresses common questions about reverse T3, explaining its role in thyroid function and why it shouldn't be tested outside hospital settings. He highlights the physiological mechanisms behind T3 and RT3 conversion and discusses the lack of evidence supporting RT3 testing in non-critical situations. Dr. Kundlas clarifies the misconceptions and shares expert recommendations against RT3 testing in outpatient practices.

Understanding Thyroid Tests: A Step-by-Step Guide by Dr. Kulmeet Kundlas

In this video, Dr. Kulmeet Kundlas lays out a comprehensive guide on thyroid tests, explaining the reasons for ordering these tests, the steps involved, and how to interpret the results. He discusses why thyroid tests are commonly requested, the role of TSH and free T4 levels, and additional tests such as TPO antibodies and radioactive scans. Dr. Kundlas emphasizes the importance of sharing your supplement intake with your doctor, as it can impact test results.

He also provides tips on test preparations and explains potential outcomes. For further detailed understanding, Dr. Kundlas invites viewers to watch additional videos on his channel. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to 'kundlasmd' for more informative content.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, few topics created more confusion and emotional debate than ivermectin.

Many people felt frustrated, conflicted, and unsure whom to trust—and that reaction was completely understandable.

As a primary care physician who managed a COVID floor single-handedly for 11 months, I personally experienced these debates and had countless discussions with specialists across disciplines. For a long time, the confusion around ivermectin was not clearly settled.

In this video, I explain: Why early laboratory (Petri dish) studies showed promise Why those doses were not achievable or safe in humans How social media amplified misinformation What early observational studies showed—and their limitations Why large, well-designed clinical trials were necessary Two major studies are discussed: Pilot laboratory studies conducted outside the U.S. The large PRINCIPLE trial in the UK, involving over 8,000 patients Across all key clinical endpoints—prevention of infection, reduction in severity, hospitalization, mortality, and long COVID prevention—ivermectin did not demonstrate benefit at safe human doses.

I also address: Why high doses would cause serious neurological and metabolic complications How modern research tools, including artificial intelligence, have improved drug development Why the medical community continued investigating ivermectin despite public disappointment Finally, I share updates on ongoing ivermectin research in cancer, including breast and colon cancer trials in Florida. As of now, no data has been released, but I will continue to report new evidence as it becomes available.

My goal is not to dismiss concerns, but to present transparent, evidence-based information so patients can make informed decisions.

Are we facing a Flu Crisis? Is it too late to get the Flu Shot?

In the past few days, I’ve received numerous calls and messages asking the same urgent questions:

👉 What exactly is happening this flu season?

👉 And is it already too late to get vaccinated? In this updated video, I explain the current respiratory illness crisis we’re seeing across the United States and why hospitals and emergency rooms are under increasing pressure.

🔹 What’s happening right now? We are experiencing a “Tripledemic” — a surge of: Influenza (Flu) RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) COVID-19 All three illnesses present with similar symptoms and compete for the same healthcare resources, overwhelming hospitals, isolation rooms, and medical staff—especially in high-density and senior-living communities.

🔹 Why is the flu particularly concerning this year? Influenza Type A is the dominant strain The virus has undergone antigenic drift, meaning it has slightly changed from what scientists predicted Even vaccinated individuals may still get flu — but with far less severe illness

🔹 Is it too late to get a Flu Shot? Absolutely not. The best time to get vaccinated was yesterday The second-best time is today Even now, vaccination can significantly reduce severity, hospitalization, and complications Seniors should specifically request the high-dose or adjuvanted senior flu vaccine

🔹 Who should consider RSV vaccination? Adults 60 and older, or younger individuals with conditions such as: Diabetes Heart, lung, kidney, or liver disease High blood pressure

🔹 Practical advice if you get sick Stay home and follow universal precautions Hydrate well and rest Contact your primary care physician early (televisits are often enough) Protect seniors and vulnerable family members from exposure

🔹 No panic — but be proactive While there’s no reason to panic, flu remains a preventable disease, and the recent loss of children to flu is deeply concerning. Vaccination, early treatment, and responsible precautions can save lives.

🔹 Complete protection for respiratory season With: Flu vaccine RSV vaccine COVID vaccine Pneumonia vaccine (if eligible) You can be well protected throughout the respiratory season. I’ve been practicing medicine for 29 years, and I’ve seen these patterns before. My goal is not to create fear—but to help you stay informed, proactive, and safe.

📌 Have questions? Please leave them in the comments.

📌 Stay safe. Stay informed. Get vaccinated. — Dr. Kundlas

Join Dr. Kulmeet Kundlas as he delves into the growing issue of fatty liver disease, now a leading cause for liver transplants in the United States. Discover what causes this condition, its progression to cirrhosis, and the importance of early diagnosis. Learn about innovative treatments such as the GLP-1 agonist Wegovy, which not only targets the cellular problems but also addresses the behavioral issues leading to obesity and other metabolic diseases. Don't miss this comprehensive guide to combating a preventable yet pervasive health crisis.

n this video, Dr. Kulmeet Kundlas discusses a recent study supported by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Innovation Cancer Fund exploring Ivermectin’s potential role in cancer treatment. Dr. Kundlas provides a deep dive into the proposed mechanisms through which Ivermectin may inhibit tumor proliferation, disrupt cancer cell signaling pathways, enhance apoptotic processes, and expose cancer cells to immunotherapy and chemotherapy. While emphasizing that Ivermectin is not currently FDA-approved for cancer treatment, he highlights its promise as a cost-effective, orally administered drug with potential applications in lower-resource settings. Current research topics like breast cancer, prostate cancer, glioblastoma, ovarian cancer, and leukemia are also covered. Additionally, Dr. Kundlas notes ongoing studies on Ivermectin in epilepsy, neuroinflammation, and depression, suggesting future videos for further discussion. Subscribe to stay updated!