There’s a small gland in your neck that plays a part in your body’s most important functions. The thyroid is a multi-talented, butterfly-shaped gland that regulates your body’s ability to break down food and convert it into energy. It takes orders from the pituitary gland (via the hormone TSH) to produce thyroid hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). Inflammation of the thyroid can lead to noticeable symptoms and several conditions. Read on to uncover early warning symptoms, what causes thyroid disruptions, and how we support patients to restore balance to their hormones.
Watch for these early thyroid symptoms
Fatigue and minor hair loss may not seem like cause to worry, but if they’re in combination with several other symptoms, your thyroid may be inflamed. Here are common symptoms of improper thyroid function to look out for:
- Hyperthyroidism: Sudden weight loss, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, insomnia, and brittle hair
- Hypothyroidism: Fatigue, lethargy, weakness, weight gain, hair loss, chills, and mood sensitivity
What’s the difference between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism? Both are caused by thyroiditis – or the inflammation of the thyroid. Let’s break it down further. For hyperthyroidism, your thyroid becomes overactive and makes too much of the hormones T3 and T4. Rapid weight loss and anxiety are common symptoms. For hypothyroidism, y our thyroid doesn’t produce enough essential hormones to function properly. This leads to a slow-down of your metabolism and can often cause weight gain. Hashimoto’s Disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Now, let’s take a look at what causes hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
What causes thyroid issues?
As we covered above, both hyper- and hypothyroidism are forms of thyroiditis – meaning your thyroid is attacked and inflamed. This can occur in several ways, but all of them result in injury to the thyroid cells. Most commonly, antibodies attack the thyroid which leads to the development of an autoimmune disease (when your body attacks itself). Thyroiditis can also be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, which leads to inflammation in the gland. Certain drugs like Lithium, medications that contain iodine, and several cancer treatments can also disrupt the thyroid. Sometimes, pregnancy can cause thyroid disorders to start or flare up. Now that we know why thyroid issues occur, let’s explore how we treat patients with over- or under-active thyroids.
Natural thyroid support and repair
Our first step in The Infinity Way ™️ is to uncover the root cause of our patients’ symptoms. Instead of treating thyroiditis symptoms with synthetic hormones or other pharmaceuticals, we look to additional testing for genetic, hormonal, or chemical imbalances. Additional labs inform us of other disruptions in the body that lead to an over- or under-active thyroid. We run tests to determine the levels of thyroid hormones in your blood and the gland itself. If the levels fall outside a healthy range, we can diagnose hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism and further examine your specific symptoms. Then, we formulate an integrative and individualized approach to treatment because thyroid support is not one size fits all. If you experience any combination of the symptoms we covered, we recommend proper testing to learn about your thyroid function. Testing also works to prevent further thyroid damage if identified early. If you’ve been frustrated with a lack of results or answers from a conventional doctor, we’re here for you. We’ll work with you to restore balance to your thyroid and support you on your wellness journey! Schedule an appointment today.