Thyroid Issues
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.
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 fatal.
How We May Help
Dr. Olivia and Dr. Anthony provide functional medicine at The Wellness Connection and can do testing (e.g. blood work) to determine if your thyroid is functioning as it should. Our doctors also check all eight thyroid markers—something most practitioners don’t do.
Our goal is to protect this gland to find out what other systems of the body are working against it. We can also order ultrasounds and work with endocrinologists to co-manage your case.
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.
If you think or know you have a thyroid problem, contact us today to schedule an appointment. In addition to in-office visits, we also offer them virtually.
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