Bloodwork, Lifestyle, Nutrition, Supplements

Understanding Hypothyroidism: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Integrative Treatment Approaches

Feeling sluggish, tired, or experiencing unexplained weight gain? These could be signs of hypothyroidism, a condition where your thyroid gland isn’t producing enough thyroid hormone. As your Blood Buddy, we’re here to provide you with clear information about hypothyroidism, its symptoms, and various treatment options to help you regain your energy and vitality.

What is the Thyroid Gland?

The thyroid gland is an organ that sits at the base of the neck. It is involved in an astonishing number of bodily processes. The gland makes two hormones: T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). These hormones affect every cell in the body. They regulate the chemical actions needed to live. They play a role in reproduction and proper growth and development. They maintain body temperature, and affect the activity of the heart. They also affect brain function.

What is Hypothyroidism?

Thyroid disorders range from an underactive gland that does not make enough hormone to an overactive gland that makes too much hormone.

• Hypothyroidism is the condition diagnosed when the thyroid is underactive.
• Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed when the thyroid is overactive.

Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disease. It is estimated that between 0.1 and 2% of people will receive this diagnosis. Women are 10 times more likely to develop it than men. The elderly and pregnant women also have higher rates of hypothyroidism.

What Are the Symptoms of Hypothyroidism?

Because the thyroid gland affects so many different parts of the body, there can be many different symptoms when it is not working as it should. These symptoms are not unique to thyroid problems. The same symptoms can be due to other causes.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM

  • Fatigue

  • Weight gain from fluid retention

  • Dry skin and cold intolerance

  • Yellow skin

  • Coarse hair or loss of hair

  • Hoarseness

  • Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)

  • Slowed bodily reactions

  • Lack of coordination

  • Constipation

  • Memory problems

  • Decreased concentration

  • Depression

  • Irregular or heavy menstrual periods and infertility

  • Muscle pain or tenderness

  • High level of fats in the blood

  • Slow heart rate and low body temperature

  • Excess fluid in body tissues

Blood Buddy cannot check your physical symptoms, but we urge users to get annual check ups to identify irregularities early!

What Causes Hypothyroidism?

The most common cause of hypothyroidism worldwide is a lack of iodine. In the United States and other developed parts of the world, autoimmune hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s disease) is the most common thyroid disease. In Hashimoto’s disease, a person’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing cells to change and the gland to become underactive. In the U.S. many people who have hyperthyroidism will eventually be diagnosed with the opposite condition–hypothyroidism.

How is Hypothyroidism Diagnosed?

A clinician will diagnose hypothyroidism based on:

  • your symptoms

  • a physical examination

  • your medical history (e.g., medications, previous thyroid surgery or radiation to your neck)

  • your family history (e.g., if a family member has had thyroid disease)

  • and one or more blood tests

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Test This test measures the amount of TSH in your blood. TSH is made by the pituitary gland. TSH determines how much T3 and T4 hormones the thyroid should make. A high level of TSH means the thyroid gland is not making enough T3 and T4 hormones.

Actionable Steps: Diet and Integrative Medicine

Iodine. lodine is a mineral that the thyroid gland needs in order to work properly and make T3 and T4 hormones. A lack of iodine is a major cause of hypothyroidism worldwide.
There are natural remedies such as iodine that can assist the thyroid hormones to regulate themselves.

“Blood and urine tests are sometimes helpful in identifying whether someone is getting enough iodine. It is not clear if these tests tell the whole story. It is possible that they are not always reliable.”

Key nutrients that can help are:

  • Selenium

  • Vitamin A

  • Iron

  • Zinc

L-Tyrosine: Another thing that people often take is L-Tyrosine, which in essence is another type of hormone that will improve alertness and ability to function in people who did not get enough sleep.

There is yoga and hydrotherapy which is beneficial, although no studies have confirmed this.

Treatment of Hypothyroidism:

Can I avoid taking prescription medications? Clinicians prescribe medication for most patients with hypothyroidism. Patients often ask if there is a way to avoid taking a prescription drug. This may be possible if you are diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism.
It is best to follow the path your doctor sets out.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive.

  • Symptoms can include fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, and depression.

  • Diagnosis involves blood tests to measure thyroid hormone levels.

  • Treatment typically includes thyroid hormone replacement medication.

  • Lifestyle is very important to prevent any further problems arising