Are you feeling tired all the time, experiencing changes in your mood, struggling with constipation, or dealing with infertility? While many factors come into play when diagnosing the root cause of these symptoms, the main culprit may be right under your nose.
The thyroid is located in the neck, just anterior to the trachea and right below the Adam's apple. It is considered a master gland. It secretes hormones responsible for growth, metabolism, and development. It influences nearly every psychological process in the human body. When the thyroid isn’t functioning properly, it may produce too little or too much thyroid hormone, leading to a range of seemingly unlinked symptoms that can progress over time and have serious health consequences.
It’s estimated that 12% of the population has a thyroid condition and currently 60% of them are living undiagnosed. Interestingly, women are 5-8 times more likely to develop thyroid conditions than men. It’s no wonder so many of us are feeling so run down - but not knowing why.
What does the thyroid do?
The thyroid has a big job to do. There is a thyroid receptor site on nearly every cell in our body. The thyroid also communicates with two other glands in the brain, the hypothalamus, and the pituitary gland. We call this the HPT Axis for short. It’s a highly effective network of communication where the brain and thyroid work together to create balance. As stated above, the thyroid gland is responsible for secreting hormones that affect growth, metabolism, development, and menstrual cycles.
When testing the thyroid, many practitioners will check TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). TSH comes from the pituitary gland. If you’ve ever been told you’re “in normal range” it’s likely your TSH was checked and compared to the average level of other people your age and sex. Average, or normal, does not equal wellness. In fact, you can be told that anything from .3 - 5 is a normal range. That is a very broad scope and doesn’t give us a full picture of your thyroid’s function. At Vitality, we test all your thyroid levels so we can get a complete understanding of what is going in your body.
Signs of Thyroid Dysfunction
Constipation and hard stools
Weight gain
Fatigue even with a good night’s sleep
Dry skin and hair
Evenly distributed hair loss
Muscle cramps and pain
Depression and low mood
Infertility and miscarriage
If you feel like your thyroid may not be functioning at its best, we encourage you to watch this video by our Nurse Practitioner, Kelli Cuda, and then give us a call so we can help you create a personalized plan for your health.
Have you ever had questions about your thyroid health but weren't sure where to turn? We're here for all of the answers! Schedule a discovery call with us, and we'll help guide you in understanding more about this important organ. During this call, we can discuss your symptoms in more detail and come up with a plan tailored specifically for you.
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DISCLAIMER: The information in this email is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional
This was really informative! I've had Thyroid disease since I was 14, and I'm almost 43 now. I also have Celiac. I feel like I'm in a constant battle of keeping my Thyroid hormones balanced and happy with diet, exercise and trying to reduce stress! Thanks, Traci Little
www.tribune-courier.com
tribune.courier.traci@gmail.com