It’s a tiny, butterfly shaped gland, weighing about 15 grams, located at the base of the front of our neck. This powerhouse organ is mighty and tenacious in all that it does for the entire body and it’s worth appreciating.
I’m referring to our exquisite Thyroid Gland. Despite its small size, this gland is the main metabolic regulator for every organ and cell throughout the body. In other words, how we convert our food (fuel and nourishment) into energy to grow and maintain our bodies is highly dependent on the thyroid gland.
In honor of January being tagged as The National Thyroid Awareness Month, I’ll be reveling over this important endocrine key player.
Thyroid conditions are extraordinarily prevalent amongst females with the most common thyroid disorder being Hashimoto’s Disease or Autoimmune Thyroiditis resulting in decreased or Hypo-Thyroid Function.
Essentially, this means that the body’s immune system has gone amiss (due to many health risk factors) and is now attacking and overreacting to its own organs – a.k.a. Autoimmune Disorders. In this case – the unsuspecting thyroid becomes the target.
And quite frankly, the immune system often reacts to several other organs during Hashimoto’s which is why patients often feel terrible throughout their bodies. To add even more gasoline to the inflammatory fire, one autoimmune disorder can increase your risk for getting another autoimmune disorder.
So, what happens to the body when you have Hashimoto’s induced hypothyroidism? The metabolic rate dwindles. Initially, the symptoms are mild – often years before you even realize what’s happening and even longer before you actually get a diagnosis….if you get a diagnosis at all. Here are some common symptoms of a dysfunctional, sluggish thyroid gland:
- Relentless Fatigue
- Weight or Fat gain
- Brain Fog & Difficulty Concentrating
- Constipation or IBS
- Dry Skin & Hair
- Hair Loss
- Colder Body Temperature
- Increased Water Retention: i.e. Hands and Feet
- Heartburn
- Joint and/or Muscle Aches
- Systemic Inflammation
- Depression and/or Anxiety
- Mood Swings
- Difficulty Coping w/Stress
- Female Hormone Cycle Irregularities
- Higher Blood Pressure
- Higher Total and LDL Cholesterol
- Elevated Glucose
- Sleep Disturbances
- Enlarged Thyroid: Interfering w/Swallowing & Speaking
- And others…
Having a thyroid disorder can be debilitating, frustrating, confusing and downright maddening. What makes it even worse, is when you visit with your conventional doctor who only runs a TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) that is solely produced by the Pituitary Gland and it comes back “Within the Normal Range.”
You are sent away with…”You’re fine.” “Your labs are normal.” Just eat less and exercise more.” OR “Here’s synthetic T4 only – come back in 6 months.”
I hear this from patients ALL OF THE TIME. And I truly feel their emotional pain.
***Diagnosing and treating a thyroid gland disorder is a whole body approach.***
This functional medicine method of health care involves evaluating all of the body’s interacting organ systems, all symptoms throughout the body, root cause investigation via functional lab analysis, asking pertinent questions and using a plethora of therapies that are best suited for each individual person.
In other words, this is also known as personalized medicine – the way healthcare and healing should be.
Do you have a thyroid condition that isn’t being properly evaluated and treated? Perhaps, you suspect you have something wrong with your thyroid gland, but you’re not getting the most optimal tests, answers and treatments you need in order to heal and thrive.
Schedule your free preliminary Discovery Call with me to discuss your symptoms, concerns and ask questions. Book your Discovery Call HERE.
Additionally, I’ll review the details and advantages of my comprehensive, whole body and life changing Vital Transformation Program with you.
Read more about The Vital Transformation Program HERE.
If you’ve already had your Discovery Call with me and and are absolutely ready to move forward with true healing from within, please reach out by email to [email protected] or by phone to (916) 542-1820 to begin 2022 with a well-deserved healthier, revitalized body!
With Gratitude,
Dr. Kristi