Thyroid Health

Your thyroid is an important and often overlooked gland that is part of the endocrine system. It is located in your throat just above your collarbone, below your Adam’s Apple. Your thyroid’s most important job is regulating your metabolism, which determines how your body uses energy, how it processes the food you eat, your heart rate and breathing as well as body temperature, mental activity and even fertility. If this tiny gland is not operating properly, it can have an impact on your entire body.

What are the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction?

Because your thyroid impacts many parts of your body, the symptoms of thyroid dysfunction can vary. But, there are two main ways your thyroid can get out of whack: Overactive (Hyper) Thyroid and Underactive (Hypo) Thyroid. Here are some common symptoms of each:

Overactive (Hyper) Thyroid:

• Severe weight loss

• Increased appetite

• Frequent stools

• Irritability, anxiety & insomnia

• Decreased periods

• Heart palpitations

• Sweating

• Heat intolerance

Underactive (Hypo) Thyroid

• Weight gain

• Constipation

• Fatigue

• Dry skin

• Thinning hair

• Muscle weakness

• Memory issues

• Depression

• Heavy, irregular periods

How is thyroid dysfunction diagnosed?

Your thyroid function is checked by doing lab work to determine the thyroid hormone levels that are in your blood. Most conventional providers will only run two thyroid tests: TSH and T4. TSH measures “Thyroid Stimulating Hormone”, which is produced by the pituitary gland and tells the thyroid to make more thyroid hormone. T4 is main form of thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid that is circulating in your blood. This T4 hormone must be converted into T3 hormone before it can be used by the cells in your body. Some medical providers will test for T3 if they suspect an underactive thyroid, but many do not.

What if your labs are “normal”, but you still don’t feel like yourself?

The thyroid is a complex gland. There are many pieces of the puzzle that can go wrong so it is important to determine exactly where the cause of your thyroid dysfunction is happening. It is possible that your TSH numbers will be in the normal range, but somewhere along the way, your T4 isn’t being properly converted into T3 that your body can use. Or, there may be an autoimmune condition that is attacking the thyroid hormone before your cells can use it. Because of this, Tru Wellness runs a comprehensive thyroid panel for anyone with suspected thyroid issues. This consists of:

• TSH

• Free T4 (Inactive thyroid hormone)

• Free T3 (Active thyroid hormone)

• Reverse T3 (Inactive hormone)

• Thyroid Antibodies (TPOAb and TgAB)

• Ferritin and Iron

How can you improve thyroid function?

Sometimes thyroid dysfunction is treated with medication, especially in the case of severe dysfunction or thyroid cancer. Unless your thyroid has been removed (due to some thyroid diseases and cancer), the goal is to eventually wean off of any thyroid medication that is initially necessary. Some natural ways you can support your thyroid health include:

• Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole foods

• Avoiding sugar, alcohol and processed foods

• Getting regular exercise

• Limiting or avoiding gluten

• Taking supplements like probiotics, vitamin D and fish oil

• Reducing stress and anxiety

• Getting good, quality sleep

Concerned about your thyroid health?

Set up an appointment for a comprehensive look at your thyroid function.  Tru Wellness is dedicated to finding the root cause of your symptoms and working to treat them holistically with diet, lifestyle and natural supplementation.