Healthy Living Made Easy

The thryoid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck.  While small, the gland produces the thyroid hormone, which controls many of your bodily functions including metabolism, tempurature, digestion and respiration.  When the thyroid produces too little or too much of it's hormone, you can experience uncomfortable symptoms.  Constipation and weight gain are just a couple of mild symptoms that can disrupt your life.  At the same time, more severe signs like muscle weakness, elevated cholesterol, etc...that can be detrimental to your overall health.  Diagnosing your specific thyroid disorder is an essential step in regulating your hormones. 

There are multiple types of thyroid disorders including:

• Hyperthyroidism-Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid.  When your thyroid produces high hormone levels, it can accelarate your metabolism and cause weight loss, lead to persistent sweating, raise your heart rate and increase anxiety.
• Hypothyroidism-Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is more common.  If your thyroid isn't producing enough hormones, you can experience unintended weight gain, sensitivity to cold temperatures, constipation, thinning hair and other uncomfortable symptoms.
• Hashimoto's Thyroiditis-Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the cells that produce the thyroid hormone.  Testing may be performed to determine if there is an autoimmune response happening in the patients body.  The disorder can often lead to hypothyroidism.
• Graves' Disease-Another autoimmune disorder, Graves' disease, causes the thyroid to produce too much of its hormone.  It's one of the most common conditions that cause hyperthyroidism.  Graves' disease often occurs after pregnancy or an infection.

The best treatment for thyroid disorders depends on the type you have.  The most common treatments for hyperthyroidism include:

• Radioactive Iodine
• Beta-Blockers
• Anti-Thyroid medications
• Surgery to remove the Thyroid

If you have hypothyroidism, replacing your lost hormones can help improve your symptoms.  The most common treatment for hypoghyroidism is thyroid hormone replacement therapy.  The type of thyroid treatment is personalized for the patient with discussion on the varying types and availability of treatment options.  The thyroid may also be strengthened by lifestyle and supplementation to assist the gland in its functioning.

This treatment uses synthetic hormones that are chemically identical to the ones your thyroid produces.  There are natural thyroid preparations with prescriptions that may be available for you.  The discussion about medication and natural interventions can be tailored by Michelle.