What is the Thyroid and how does it work?

The thyroid is a gland situated at the base of the throat that is responsible for a myriad of hormonal and endocrine processes in the body. It is often referred to as a master gland and the “King of the Endocrine” system because it is responsible for so many different and important bodily functions.

Symptoms of Thyroid Malfunction

There are over 200 non-specific thyroid symptoms that one might experience depending on whether the thyroid is over or under active.  We see many more clients being bothered with a sluggish or under functioning thyroid gland. This condition is known as hypothyroidism.

Some typical symptoms of hypothyroid include fatigue, weight gain, hair loss and cold feet however thyroid malfunctions can be asymptomatic. I have randomly tested clients for autoimmune thyroid dysfunction and am often very surprised by the substantial elevations discovered in people I wouldn’t have otherwise expected. The adrenal glands must be supported heavily and, in many circumstances, must be balanced first before correcting thyroid malfunction.

Symptoms of thyroid malfunction can include:

  • Difficulty conceiving,
  • Brittle nails,
  • Hair loss,
  • Constipation and digestion issues,
  • Difficulty in losing or gaining weight,
  • Dry skin,
  • Cold hands and feet,
  • Cracked heels,
  • Fatigue,
  • Insomnia,
  • Libido issues,
  • Anxiety,
  • Irritability and
  • Fluid retention.

Adding the following nutrients, which are beneficial for optimal health, are especially helpful for maximizing thyroid function: magnesium, progesterone, iodine, selenomethionine, and zinc.  Please always consult with your physician for dosing and instructions.

Therapy for Thyroid Disorders

Diagnosing thyroid disorders.  To correctly diagnose a thyroid malfunction, Dr. Skip, O.M.D., must review a client’s Functional Endocrinology Blood Testing checks the blood for ALL the parameters necessary to diagnosing an improperly functioning thyroid gland.

Dr. Skip assesses TSH, free t3, free t4 and TPO/APO antibodies. The antibodies must be run to see if there is an autoimmune problem with the thyroid. Clinically, I have been surprised by the clients who you would not normally suspect would have elevations in their antibodies, actually do. From my clinical experience, I therefore, recommend a detailed testing of the thyroid including TPO/APO antibodies to be performed on folks suspected of having thyroid issues. Reverse t3 can be completed in more complex cases of thyroid malfunction. Work with your health practitioner to avoid the pitfalls of just running the TSH and total levels of t3 and t4. This is going to give you incorrect/incomplete data on the best course of action to take with maximizing the health of your thyroid. Click HERE to read more on functional endocrinology blood testing.

Address your Stress.  Balancing stress is critical to a healthy body. Energetically speaking, Ayurvedic Medicine tells us the Throat Charka could be blocked, causing the thyroid to be imbalanced. This blockage often occurs in many people from an imbalance with speaking their truth. Often easier said than done, speaking your truth or saying what you need to say, in those instances can be the best medicine. Say it with love and in the most non-violent and non-judgmental manner can often be liberating to your psyche a very substantial way to bring about drastic healing to your malfunctioning endocrine system. Not speaking your truths and subsequently internalizing anger wreaks havoc on your body and immune system causing much damage especially when our stress level stays elevated for years on end. Click HERE for additional guidance on managing stress.

Take the right thyroid supplements. Be cautious of taking Synthroid. By and large that is NOT the most effective medication to use but seems to be frequently prescribed by the western medical community. There are much safer alternatives like Armour and Nature-throid. If autoimmune thyroiditis is diagnosed (where an elevated in TPO/APO antibodies has been discovered) we would not begin with a regimen of whole glandular replacements like this.  This could cause the endocrine system to think it is allergic to your thyroid hormones and potentially begin attacking itself, thus perpetuating endocrine dysfunction. This is also, at its root, an issue of inflammation; one of the primary causative factors to declining health.

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