Thyroid

How does the thyroid gland affect your health?

The hormones produced by your thyroid gland — triiodothyronine, or T3, and thyroxine, or T4 — regulate your metabolism and affect every system in your body, including:

• Heart rate
• Breathing
• Nervous system
• Body weight
• Body temperature
• Protein production
• Menstrual cycles

It only takes a slight disruption in thyroid function to cause a hormone imbalance that affects your overall health.

What symptoms develop due to hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism occurs when the production of thyroid hormones drops. The most common cause of an underactive thyroid is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s disease.

When you don’t have enough thyroid hormones, you develop symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Weight gain
• Sensitivity to cold
• Puffy face
• Hoarseness
• Muscle aches and joint pain

Hypothyroidism can also cause high cholesterol in adults and affect growth and development in children and teens.

What symptoms develop due to hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism refers to an overactive thyroid gland that produces high levels of hormones. This condition often develops due to an autoimmune disorder called Graves’ disease, but it can also be caused by thyroid nodules and inflammation.

The symptoms of hyperthyroidism include

• Weight loss
• Rapid heartbeat
• Nervousness or anxiety
• Sweating
• Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
• Tremor in your hands and fingers
• Difficulty sleeping
• Thinning skin

In rare cases, patients develop Graves’ ophthalmopathy, which causes bulging eyes, dry eyes, and sensitivity to light.

What complications develop from untreated thyroid problems?

You can develop serious heart problems when you have an untreated over- or underactive thyroid. An underactive thyroid leads to high cholesterol and an enlarged heart, while an overactive thyroid causes an irregular heart rhythm and congestive heart failure.

Additionally, hyperthyroidism contributes to osteoporosis. Low levels of thyroid hormones may cause depression, nerve damage, and infertility in women.

How are thyroid problems treated?

The goal of treating a thyroid problem is to heal your thyroid gland and restore the balance of hormones. Naturopathic physicians first determine the underlying causes, then create treatments that address all the sources of your thyroid problem.

Your thyroid health can return using multifaceted, natural therapies such as nutrition, vitamins and other supplements, herbal medicine, and homeopathy. Your doctor at Fairfield Family Health may also recommend low-dose immunotherapy to diminish inflammation.

To learn more about holistic, natural treatments for thyroid problems, call Fairfield Family Health or book an appointment online.