Thyroid
hormone is instrumental in controlling temperature regulation and metabolic
rate. There are both overt and subtle dysfunctions of the thyroid gland that
all need attention. Fatigue is the number two complaint to all healthcare
providers. Some of these issues may be related to the thyroid gland and under
diagnosis and under treatment of these conditions. As our body becomes more
broken down over time, our bodies can even convert T4 into an inactive metabolite,
Reverse T3, instead of the most active metabolite T3 as a way to conserve
energy. This not only requires reversal of the metabolic breakdown of the
body, but a "reset" of the thyroid as described by Wilson as the Wilson's
T3 protocol for treatment of "Wilson's Temperature Syndrome."
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid gland fails to produce enough of a hormone called the thyroid hormone or when your body fails to use thyroid hormone efficiently. There are several different types of hypothyroidism. Perhaps 11 million Americans have hypothyroidism, although only half know it. The disease affects both sexes and all ages. However, middle-aged women are most vulnerable. If you have just developed the disease, you will most likely have muscle aches and often feel cold. Left untreated, hypothyroidism can cause serious health complications.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Hair loss
- Tiredness/ Fatigue
- Hoarse voice; slowed speech
- Intolerance to cold
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Raised, thickened skin over the shins
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Depression; dementia
- Headaches
- Irregular or absent Menstrual Cycle
The various forms of hypothyroidism have different causes. In Hashimoto's thyroiditis, antibodies in the blood mistakenly attack the thyroid gland and start to destroy it. Post-therapeutic hypothyroidism occurs when treatment for hyperthyroidism leaves the thyroid unable to produce enough thyroid hormone. And hypothyroidism with goiter results when your diet lacks iodine. The addition of iodine to salt in the U.S. has made this rare.
Under the concepts of functional medicine, assessment is oriented toward determining what is impeding your body's ability to function normally. While some of the conventional medical approaches may help in this determination, they may not necessarily apply to a functional approach. Antibodies against the thyroid may be related to Leaky Gut Syndrome, in which proteins that leak across the gut lining cause an autoimmune response. Since the thyroid hormone system interacts with the other hormone systems of the body, the best approach for the health of the entire body needs to be addressed.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland, located at the front of your neck, produces too much thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism has three forms that share several symptoms. Hyperthyroidism usually happens between the ages of 20 and 40. It often starts after times of extreme stress or during pregnancy.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Fast heart rate and palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Swelling at the base of the neck
- Moist skin and increased perspiration
- Shakiness and tremor
- Nervousness and confusion
- Increased appetite accompanied by weight loss
- Difficulty sleeping
- Swollen, reddened, and bulging eyes
- Constant stare (infrequent blinking, lid lag)
- Sensitivity of eyes to light
- Occasionally, raised, thickened skin over the shins, back of feet, back, hands, or even face
- In crisis: fever, very rapid pulse, agitation, and possibly delirium
- Changes in menstrual periods
What Causes It?
Researchers suspect that Graves' disease (one form of hyperthyroidism) stems from an antibody that mistakenly stimulates the thyroid to produce too much hormone. Toxic nodular goiter is caused by a benign tumor in nodules that make up the thyroid gland. Secondary hyperthyroidism results when a gland called the pituitary overrides the thyroid's normal instructions, and orders it to make too much thyroid hormone.
