THYROID TREATMENT
Thyroid Hormone Health Benefits
Thyroid hormone is secreted by the thyroid gland. It is an important hormone responsible for many of our bodily processes and vital functions. It regulates our body temperature, energy levels, overall metabolism and cerebral function.
Thyroid deficiencies can stem from a variety of causes. Often, it can be related to decreases in the amount of hormone produced by the thyroid gland itself. In other cases, it can be due to factors such as insensitivity of the receptor sites. This is often the case when patients are suffering from symptoms, but blood levels of thyroid hormone fall within the “normal” range. It can also be caused by the decreased conversion ability of their body to convert the precursor form (T4) into the active form (T3) that the body actually uses.
For many providers outside of our clinic, thyroid deficiencies can be tricky to identify. Most mainstream medical practitioners are not extensively trained in thyroid replacement therapy for insufficiency. As a result, they are often unable to identify thyroid hormone as being the culprit in cases where there is not a laboratory indication or diagnosis of hypothyroidism.
Actually, most of these practitioners don’t look at free T3 levels (the active form), but focus on Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) values exclusively. Some have been known to ignore symptoms of low thyroid, even when persistent among their patients and not treat any patient who has a “normal” TSH test. Our thyroid studies alone include: TSH, free T3, free T4, thyroid antibodies, and reverse T-3
However, our premier clinic specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) of all kinds, including thyroid. We pride ourselves in not only extensively testing for thyroid hormone function, but identifying what may be happening with your thyroid levels, specifically. We review all of your presenting symptoms along with detailed labs. From there, we create a treatment plan that is tailored to each individual. We monitor labs and symptoms often to optimize the result. We also prescribe the most efficacious products available, typically compounded and desiccated. We have found that the types we use most often are superior at resolving even the most complex symptoms.
We take time and care to identify and fine-tune a dosage that works best for you and your unique body system. We monitor you every step of the way with labs and symptom checks. This way, we can ensure optimal health for the long haul, along with a vibrant, energetic life that is full of vitality and feels amazing!
Low Thyroid Symptoms
There are hundreds of symptoms related to thyroid deficiency.
These include, but are not limited to:
Low energy, fatigue, lethargy
Brain fog
Loss of motivation, lack of confidence
Weight gain, increase in body fat
High cholesterol and triglycerides
Sleeping difficulties
Thin and dry hair, nails and skin
Sensitivity and intolerance to cold
Memory loss and forgetfulness, slow thinking
Difficulty concentrating
Depression and decreased sense of well-being
Constipation and other bowel function issues
Menstrual irregularities
Joint and muscle pain
Thyroid Hormone Health Benefits
Thyroid hormone has a variety of protective and metabolic benefits.
Thyroid optimization protects us from:
Cardiovascular disease
Fatigue
Weight gain
Memory loss
Cognitive impairment
Benefits also include:
Improvement of mood
Reduced arterial plaque
Improved quality of life
Higher energy
Thyroid Treatment FAQs
When does your practice use thyroid treatment?
In preventive medicine, we optimize thyroid for purposes of anti-aging, prevention of cardiovascular disease, to optimize health, well-being and memory and cognition. We also use it for patients who demonstrate symptoms of thyroid deficiency, who have low free T3 levels or high TSH in their labs, or those patients experiencing metabolic syndrome or elevated blood cholesterol or triglycerides.
At the Breen Center of Optimal Health, we look carefully at each symptom you’re experiencing along with all of your labs, diagnostics and what we learn from your extensive health history. From there, we get to the bottom of any hormonal imbalance, and remedy any accompanying symptoms that my otherwise be ignored.
What are the differences between T3, T4 and TSH?
T4 is a precursor hormone to T3. T3 is the metabolically active hormone flowing through our bloodstream. T4 isn’t active on its own. But, T4 converts into T3. Once converted, T3 is the hormone that the body actively uses in metabolic processes. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain. TSH is the hormone responsible for activating T4 production in the thyroid gland itself (located in the neck).
Most mainstream medical practices screen for TSH (which activates the precursor, T4). However, they do not necessarily screen for free T3 (the form the body actively uses). They also use ranges that are fixed (based on averages) and to determine thyroid deficiencies, and don’t put as much attention on reported patient symptoms.
We are innovative and take a different approach to thyroid hormone management. Our patients benefit greatly from our care.
What are potential side effects of thyroid treatment?
When dosages are too high (rarely seen at the doses we normally prescribe), patients can experience: sweating, palpitations, tremor/nervousness or tachycardia.
If this occurs, we typically reduce dose and titrate slowly. We’re accessible and available to monitor and adjust dosages for every patient to get it optimized.
Some patients are sensitive to thyroid hormone. This is different than having excess, or too much. Again, we listen to our patients and spend time and care to ensure we achieve optimal levels using evidence-based medicine, reviewing labs and assessing symptoms.
Are there situations when you do not treat with thyroid hormone?
We won’t typically initiate thyroid treatment when/if there are no symptoms, health history and/or labs indicating that it is required, when TSH levels require suppression, or when there is a clinical need to refer to an endocrinologist or other specialist, i.e.: thyroid nodules are present or thyroid cancer has been diagnosed.
Call us today to discuss how we can help you at 877.721.0047
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