Natural Hypothyroidism Treatment

Get Relief from Hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's & Thyroid Disorders

Understanding Your Thyroid

The endocrine system is made up of the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, the pancreas, and the ovaries/testes. These organs secrete a variety of hormones including growth hormone, insulin, thyroid hormone, estrogen, testosterone, etc. The hormones produced in the endocrine system regulate a variety of functions in the body, including metabolism, growth, reproduction, and development.

Three hormones T3 (Triiodothyronine), T4 (Thyroxine), and Calcitonin are produced by the thyroid gland. T3 and T4 are used by the body to regulate energy and metabolism. As these hormones enter the bloodstream, they are transported throughout the body and are found in almost every type of cell in the body.

Types of Thyroid Disorders

You can experience three types of problems with your thyroid gland – an underactive (hypothyroidism) thyroid, an overactive (hyperthyroidism) thyroid, and growths, including cysts, nodules, and malignant tumors, at the thyroid gland.

When suffering with hypothyroidism, metabolism slows down. When metabolism slows, the body will be unable to burn all of the calories consumed, causing weight gain. When suffering from hyperthyroidism, the reverse occurs. Metabolism speeds up and the body burns more calories than consumed, resulting in weight loss. Finally, thyroid growths can cause the thyroid to produce too much or too little thyroid hormones.

Common Symptoms of Thyroid Problems

When you are suffering from thyroid problems, the chemical makeup of your body changes, and the hormones in the body become imbalanced. Some common symptoms of thyroid disorders include –

Weight Changes – When your thyroid is not functioning properly, metabolism will change. Your metabolism can slow resulting in weight gain, or it can rev up, resulting in weight loss. Dietary changes alone will not correct your metabolism.
Muscle Cramps – Many individuals suffering from thyroid problems will experience muscle weakness, especially in the hips and shoulders. Muscles stiffness, muscle cramps, and a slow down in reflexes are also common.
Cognitive Changes – Concentration difficulties are common in individuals suffering from thyroid problems. You may also experience memory issues.
Hair, Nail, and Skin Issues – When you have a thyroid issue, your hair, skin, and nails can be affected. Skin can become dry, nails can become brittle, and hair can become coarse.
Fatigue, muscle aches, joint stiffness, constipation, depression, heavy or irregular menstrual periods, and headaches.

Unfortunately, all of these symptoms can be experienced with other health conditions, including diabetes, menopause, and more.

If hypothyroidism is not controlled in a timely manner, a number of health problems can occur, including increased cholesterol levels, which can lead to cardiovascular problems, depression and other mood disorders and lowered mental functions. Additionally, long-term hypothyroidism can cause peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve damage that causes pain, tingling and numbness.

One of the biggest frustrations that thyroid sufferers experience is weight control. If you are overweight and suffer from a thyroid condition, you probably want to learn how your thyroid hormones affects your weight.

The “Great Masquerader”

Hypothyroidism is considered the “Great Masquerader” because many of its symptoms resemble symptoms of numerous other diseases. Improper thyroid functions are often misdiagnosed as depression, diabetes, PMS, poor diet or any number of other conditions. Often times, hypothyroidism is treated as depression. Conventional medicine relies on medical blood tests for diagnosis and monitoring of the illness. Many people suffer because of wide variation in “normal ranges.” Even after a correct diagnosis, it may be difficult to obtain optimal treatment because many people have autoimmune thyroid damage.

Causes of Hypothyroidism & Thyroid Disorders

Hypothyroidism can be caused by a number of reasons including autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (the most common cause in the US). Other causes for low thyroid function include –

Thyroid Surgery
Radiation to the Neck and Head
Certain Medications
Pregnancy
Iodine Deficiency
Certain Congenital Defects and Pituitary Disorders

Treatment and Management of Thyroid Disorders

Managing hypothyroidism and thyroid disorders is based on your individual health, genetics, hormone levels and medical history. Your physician will recommend some specialized blood tests to evaluate your thyroid levels. This includes a TSH, free and total T4 and T3 levels, and thyroid antibodies to check for autoimmune or Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism. Optimal lab ranges for these may differ from normal conventional ranges. Additionally, other laboratory testing may be done to identify possible causes or associations with hypothyroidism, including male and female hormone assays, adrenal hormone assays, vitamin and mineral deficiency evaluations and evaluations for drug, chemical or heavy metal toxicities. Based on your history and test results, your integrative thyroid doctor may recommend numerous thyroid treatment options, including:

Natural thyroid replacement or supportive supplements
Correction of hormonal imbalances
Conventional synthetic hormone replacement
Correction of vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Diet and nutrition improvements

In order to lose weight, its best to make healthy lifestyle modifications like a daily exercise regimen and a low calorie, nutritious diet. In addition to this, practicing stress relief techniques and taking nutritional supplements will get the body as healthy as possible.

Ready To Seek Help?

Your thyroid hormones affect every aspect of your well-being. Our integrative practitioners use a functional medicine approach to improve your thyroid function and restore your energy levels. Our team of medical professionals will help you address the root cause of your thyroid issues, reverse the effects of an imbalanced thyroid, improve your overall health, and help you reach a healthy body weight and maintain it.