Feel Fully Alive Again with Personalized Thyroid Treatment
Do you feel frustrated because you’re gaining weight without an explainable cause? Are you exhausted most of the time? Do you have mood swings or brain fog? Are you cold when others aren’t? You may be suffering from a thyroid disorder.
Perhaps you’ve been previously diagnosed with thyroid issues, but no treatment has worked. Or maybe you’ve never been properly diagnosed. Fortunately, with our personalized thyroid treatment, we can help you return to a feeling of vibrant energy and aliveness.
Understanding the Thyroid
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland, located in the lower front of your neck, below the Adam’s Apple. The thyroid releases hormones that are secreted into the bloodstream and carried to every organ in your body to control metabolism and regulate body temperature.
The thyroid hormone regulates vital body functions, including breathing, heart rate, nervous systems, body weight, muscle strength, cholesterol levels, and much more. When your thyroid isn’t operating well, it can bring on a wide array of symptoms, including feeling cold when others don’t; feeling weak, sad, or depressed; feeling tired when you’ve had plenty of sleep; unwanted weight gain; and a variety of others.
T3 is THE active thyroid hormone in the body. In fact, T3 is utilized as the most basic rate limiting factor for energy production in our cells. It is postulated that the majority of people over the age of 50 are deficient in T3, and lack of T3 has been implicated in many chronic disease states. Together with cortisol from the adrenals, our mitochondria depend upon T3 and cortisol to aid in fat breakdown and metabolism to provide our cells with maximum energy, and with adequate oxygen utilization, keeping our mitochondria functioning at their best. Actually, T3 is NECESSARY to maintain mitochondrial health and survival!
What is Hypothyroidism?
When your thyroid gland can’t make enough hormone for your body’s needs or isn’t properly utilizing the hormone, this is what’s known a Hypothyroidism. A nonfunctioning thyroid gland can produce Hypothyroidism. It may also be caused by a nonfunctioning pituitary gland or by the destruction of the thyroid gland by radiation treatment or surgery.
Some of the common symptoms of Hypothyroidism include:
* Fatigue or lack of energy
* Weight gain
* Can’t Lose weight
* Dry, coarse hair
* Dry skin
* Hair loss
* Cold intolerance
* Cold hands and feet
* Muscle cramps
* Frequent muscle aches
* Constipation
* Weakness
* Depression
* Irritability
* Memory loss
* Abnormal menstrual cycles
* Decreased libido
How does Thyroid Hormone Treatment Work?
There are two types of thyroid treatment: Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy and Suppression Therapy. In Replacement Therapy, we use hormone treatment to replace the function of the thyroid when it’s not functioning normally. Suppression Therapy is used to prevent future thyroid growth, such as with thyroid cancer patients, or to prevent the growth of non-cancerous thyroid nodules.
In both cases, the goal is to get the thyroid functioning as close to normal as possible through supplementation that works the same way as your body’s thyroid hormone would. The only concerns with taking thyroid hormones are taking too much or too little, but close monitoring by your physician will ensure this doesn’t happen.
What does Thyroid Treatment at Wonderfully Made Functional Medicine entail?
What does BHRT at Wonderfully Made Functional Medicine entail?
Dr. Wood and her team are here to help you achieve an optimal state of hormonal balance so that your quality of life is the best it can be. To do that, we will create a comprehensive, integrated, and regularly monitored plan designed uniquely for you.
We will begin your treatment with an appointment to go over your symptoms and health history. Next, Dr. Wood will order a series of advanced laboratory tests designed to pinpoint your hormonal imbalances. These tests will also look at other health markers to provide a whole-body picture and address any other underlying issues and achieve optimal health and wellness.
After testing, you will meet with Dr. Wood to discuss the results and review your medical history. This in-depth consultation will cover your lifestyle, symptoms, specific concerns, and treatment protocols. We are thorough because we want to make sure we understand your unique needs and tailor a program to achieve all of your goals.
Your program will include bioidentical hormones produced to exacting standards in qualified compounding pharmacies. We may also incorporate a variety of pharmaceutical-grade supplements or medicinal herbs, personalized nutrition, and fitness recommendations. We will continue to monitor and re-evaluate your testosterone and other hormone levels throughout your treatment to ensure you get the results you want.
This process takes time and dedication, and we will be with you every step of the way to support you in your journey to optimal vitality.
Other Thyroid Conditions and their Symptoms
While Hypothyroidism is the most common cause of thyroid problems, other issues can also affect your thyroid.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is the opposite of Hypothyroidism. It’s caused by the thyroid gland secreting too much T3 and T4 hormone. Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism may include:
* Rapid heart rate
* Increased anxiety
* Weight loss
* Panic attacks
* Irritability
* Tremors in the hands
* Hair loss
* Muscle aches
* Shortness of breath
* Difficulty sleeping
* Excessive sweating
* Infertility
* Erectile dysfunction
* Heat intolerance
* Irregular menstrual cycles
* Frequent bowel movements or diarrhea
Often these symptoms are misdiagnosed as a cardiac disorder or an anxiety issue. Treatment for Hyperthyroidism is complex; we recommend that you see an Endocrinologist if you have these types of symptoms.
Hashimoto’s Disease
Hashimoto’s Disease, an autoimmune disorder, is the primary cause of Hypothyroidism. With this disease, your immune system attacks your thyroid. The thyroid becomes damaged and can’t make enough thyroid hormones.
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Disease may include swelling at the front of your neck (goiter), as well as the following signs commonly associated with Hypothyroidism:
* Fatigue and sluggishness
* Increased sensitivity to cold
* Constipation
* Pale, dry skin
* A puffy face
* Brittle nails
* Hair loss
* Enlargement of the tongue
* Unexplained weight gain
* Joint pain and stiffness
* Muscle weakness
* Depression
* Memory lapses
* Muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness
* Excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding
Hashimoto’s Disease is far more common in women than in men. The disease most often appears between ages 40 and 60, but can also occur in teens or young women. Additionally, you are more likely to develop the condition if you have other autoimmune disorders, or if other family members have Hashimoto’s.
Because Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease, thyroid medication alone isn’t enough to treat it successfully. Various deficiencies can cause it, so it’s important to test thoroughly for anything that could be causing this disease.
Could you have a thyroid issue? Take this quiz.
How many of these can you answer YES to?
* Anxiety
* Brittle, splitting fingernails
* Cold intolerance
* Constipation
* Depression
* Dry or coarse skin
* Fatigue
* Hair Loss
* Heavy menstrual flow
* Migraines
* Missing outer 1/3 of eyebrows
* Muscle or joint aches
* Poor concentration
* Poor memory
* Poor motivation
* Water retention
* Weakness
* Weight gain (10 pounds or more within three months)
If you ranked three or more of the above issues as Moderate or Severe, you might be suffering from thyroid issues.
Contact our New Patient Coordinator for a Free Consultation
Call us for a consultation to see how we can help. We’ll answer any questions you have, explain our treatment approach, protocols, fees, and options. Or fill out of the contact form below and we will contact you at a time that is convenient for you.
New Patients Call: 972-382-5597