Hormone & Thyroid Health

OPTIMIZING HORMONES & THYROID HEALTH

Your thyroid is a small gland at the base of your throat that influences nearly every organ in your body - metabolism, mood, energy and even digestion are affected by your thyroid. The thyroid is often called the “master gland of the body” – the hormones it produces power all of our cells and are crucial for optimal bodily functions. 

The thyroid can both under-function (Hypothyroidism) and over-function (Hyperthyroidism). Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism - though some people can have episodes of both.  The most common type of hypothyroidism is auto-immune - sometimes called Hashimoto’s Disease. Understanding your thyroid dysfunction and whether it’s autoimmune-influenced is valuable information. For this article, we are going to focus on hypothyroidism. 

Hypothyroidism can sometimes be missed, especially in women experiencing similar symptoms during perimenopause and menopause (you can read more about menopausal changes here).  Signs of hypothyroidism often include fatigue, brain fog, and weight gain - just to name a few. We generally recommend a full thyroid screening panel to ensure patients experiencing imbalanced hormone symptoms are also being evaluated for hypothyroidism. 

HYPOTHYROIDISM AND HORMONE IMBALANCE

Thyroid dysfunction is more common in females and can sometimes be tipped off by hormonal changes, for instance, postpartum thyroid dysfunction is a fairly common problem. Hormone changes around pregnancy can also trigger thyroid problems. Perimenopause and menopause can lead to symptoms that often mimic those of hypothyroidism. It is important to have a thyroid specialist who can thoroughly evaluate you for both. 

SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM

  • Fatigue

  • Brain fog

  • Weight gain

  • Weakness

  • Irregular periods, infertility, and low sex drive

  • Dry skin

  • Brittle nails

  • Neck swelling

  • Depression

  • Temperature intolerance (i.e. feeling cold all the time)

  • Joint aches

  • Constipation

  • Hair loss from the lateral third of your eyebrow

  • Hair loss from your head

LOOKING FOR A THYROID DOCTOR IN SEATTLE? A THOROUGH THYROID PANEL SHOULD INCLUDE:

  • TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)

  • 3T3 and 3T4

  • Thyroid antibodies (since the most common form of hypothyroidism is autoimmune in nature we feel this is an essential part of a thyroid evaluation)

    • TPO antibodies

    • Thyroglobulin antibodies

TREATING HYPOTHYROIDISM

A proper diagnosis is essential for the thorough treatment of Hypothyroidism. The vast majority of patients with hypothyroidism require medication.  Medication options can include levothyroxine (T4), liothyronine (T3), or desiccated thyroid (a combination of T3 and T4). Certain nutritional supplementation can be appropriate - specifically micronutrients and minerals that are essential for thyroid hormone production:

  • Selenium

  • Iodine

  • Zinc

  • Antioxidants

Understanding if there is an autoimmune component to the diagnosis can better guide treatment, specifically leading to dietary and lifestyle choices that might support healthy immune function. As discussed above, testing can reveal whether your hypothyroidism is autoimmune or not. This is important as patients with one autoimmune condition are significantly more likely to have another autoimmune condition. 

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