Thyroid Issues in O’Fallon
Thyroid disorders affect millions of people, often leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight fluctuations, mood changes, and more. If you’re struggling with one of these disorders and are seeking drug-free solutions to address it, we’re here to help. Functional medicine providers Dr. Anthony Pasek and Dr. Olivia Joseph offer personalized, root-cause solutions to help those dealing with thyroid conditions achieve lasting wellness.
Understanding the Thyroid’s Vital Role
Symptoms of Dysfunction
If your thyroid isn’t functioning properly, here are some symptoms that occur:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Weight loss resistance
- Cold body temperature
- Hair loss
- Loss of eyebrows
- Constipation
- Dry skin and nails
- Infertility
- Joint pain and swelling
- Lethargy/sluggishness
The Importance of Checking TSH
TSH stands for thyroid stimulating hormone, and it’s the number one thyroid hormone to have checked. A TSH test is a blood test that measures this hormone. TSH levels that are too high or too low may be a sign of a problem in the gland.
The normal range on TSH can be .4 to 4.5 and varies from lab to lab. The functional range Dr. Olivia Joseph has, for example, is 1.8 to 3.0, and she likes to see a patient’s level between a 1 and a 2.
T3 and T4 Hormones
The T3 and T4 hormones come out of your thyroid gland. Triiodothyronine (T3) specifically supports brain function, heart function, and digestion and plays a role in your metabolic rate and bone health. You can consider it the gas pedal for all the cells in your body. Thyroxine (T4) is responsible for your mood, metabolism, and body temperature, among other things.
Find Out More
For more information, be sure to check out Dr. Olivia and Dr. Anthony’s YouTube video Discussing All Things Thyroid!, as well as three podcasts: How to Understand Your Thyroid Dysfunction and Hashimoto’s Disease, How to Deal with Irregular Hormones and MTHFR, and How To Deal With Thyroid Imbalances And Irregular Hormones.
The Two Main Types of Thyroid Disease
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when there is too little T3 and T4 in your system. Some symptoms associated with hypothyroidism are trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, weight gain, and depression. The number one cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid. When you have the disorder, your risk for other autoimmune diseases is higher.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism occurs when there is too much T3 and T4 in your system. Symptoms include sweating, unexpected weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and irritability, although seniors often don’t experience symptoms. Hyperthyroidism is much more dangerous and has to be caught and managed because it can cause significant heart issues and even be fatal. In some cases, hyperthyroidism is caused by an autoimmune condition known as Graves’ Disease.
How Functional Medicine Can Help
At The Wellness Connection, Dr. Olivia and Dr. Anthony offer functional medicine solutions tailored to address thyroid health. Here’s how we approach your care:
- In-Depth Assessment: Your doctor will review your medical history, lifestyle, and current symptoms. Dr. Anthony and Dr. Olivia perform advanced testing, including blood work and analysis of all eight thyroid markers—something most practitioners overlook. This detailed evaluation helps us determine how well your thyroid is functioning and identify potential imbalances. To protect and support your thyroid gland, we explore how other systems in your body may be contributing to the issue. Our team can order ultrasounds when needed and collaborate with endocrinologists to co-manage your case, ensuring a well-rounded approach to your health.
- Customized Care Plan: Based on your results, your doctor will create a comprehensive care plan. This may include nutritional guidance, targeted supplementation, stress management techniques, and lifestyle modifications to restore balance to your thyroid and overall health.
- Ongoing Support: Because healing takes time, our doctors provide ongoing support and adjustments to your care plan to ensure you achieve sustainable results and an improved quality of life.
If you’re seeking natural ways to address your thyroid disorder, contact our holistic health center in St. Louis to book an appointment. In addition to in-office visits, we also offer them virtually. We want to help you reclaim your health and life!
