Thyroid Management including Hashimoto’s Disease
The thyroid gland is the body’s regulator, for that reason, when the thyroid hormone is out of balance, it can affect every metabolic function in your body.
Some functions of the thyroid gland and thyroid hormones:
– tissue repair and growth
– aiding the mitochondria
– assisting with digestion
– controlling hormone excretion
– oxygen utilization
– blood flow
– energy and heat production
– stimulating protein synthesis
Hypothyroidism, autoimmune hypothyroidism, or subclinical hypothyroidism are conditions in which the thyroid gland, found at the base of the front of the neck, is unable to produce sufficient thyroid hormones to fulfill the body’s needs or your immune system is attacking your thyroid. Approximately 5% of individuals aged 12 and older suffer from hypothyroidism. Thyroid issues more commonly appear in women rather than men due to it being connected to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. Primary hypothyroidism may occur due to dysfunction of the thyroid gland, which is commonly caused by an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s disease. In a small number of cases, hypothyroidism results from dysfunction of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland in the brain, referred to as secondary hypothyroidism. Other risk factors for thyroid issues are autoimmune conditions like Type 1 diabetes, certain medications, nutrient deficiencies (iodine, selenium, vitamin D), family history, or having low body mass during childhood.
At CHS, we can recommend thyroid testing, treatment, and lifestyle changes to improve this condition. Reducing inflammation, managing stress, and taking the right supplements can improve symptoms of weight gain, constipation, fatigue, brittle hair, dry skin, and brain fog, all symptoms/signs of thyroid issues. Treating the thyroid begins with blood testing which shows us markers of disease and how your body is functioning overall. When untreated, hypothyroidism may lead to cognitive impairment, hypertension, infertility, or neuromuscular dysfunction.