Could It Be Your Thyroid?
Dry skin and hair, hair loss, fatigue, depression, weight gain, constipation, and hypersensitivity to cold—these are all symptoms that may be related to an underactive thyroid gland.
When the thyroid gland is functioning properly we’re not even aware of it but when problems develop, proper treatment is essential.
Thyroid problems can come in many different forms, but one that is often missed by routine medical testing is a condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It’s an autoimmune disorder involving chronic inflammation of the thyroid. Left untreated, it can eventually lead to an underactive thyroid.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S. It occurs most commonly in middle aged women, but can be seen at any age, and can also affect men and children, and it tends to run in families.
Routine Lab Tests Might Miss It
To identify this condition, a blood lab must be performed to look for the presence of elevated TPO antibodies, which can be a marker of Hashimoto’s. Often with routine testing this test is excluded, thus leading to the conclusion that the thyroid function is “normal” and needs no treatment, even though a patient’s symptoms indicate thyroid problems.
The good news is that Hashimoto’s and other thyroid problems such as low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) are very treatable. It’s important to take both test results and patient symptoms into account.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Be aware that there is no “one size fits all” solution. Treatment is very individualized based on the patient’s symptoms, test results, lifestyle, and even diet.
Medications used also vary. Some patients respond well to natural medications and others to synthetic. The type, dosage, and timing of dosage can also play a large part in successful treatment.
Many patients are amazed at how proper thyroid treatment can lead to a vast improvement in quality of life!
Learn more about thyroid problems and treatment from these articles and videos by Dr. Marcantel:
Functional hypothyroidism refers to a condition when the thyroid is producing a NORMAL amount of thyroid hormone but other hormone imbalances BLOCK the thyroid molecules from functioning properly in the body. Dr. Marcantel explains.
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Part 1–Identification and Treatment Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can lead to an under active thyroid (hypothyroidism). In this video series Dr. Marcantel discusses the identification and treatment of the disease.
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Part 2–Looking Beyond Test Results
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Part 3–Your Thoughts Affect Your Health
Depression or Low Thyroid? Are you on antidepressants when the real problem is your thyroid gland?
Hashimoto’s Disease: Why It’s Often Missed by Your Doctor Are you on antidepressants when the real problem is your thyroid gland? Find out why doctors often misdiagnose this common type of hypothyroidism and how it can easily be treated.
Hypothyroidism: “Normal” Blood Tests Don’t Always Tell the Whole Story People who have “normal” TSH with symptomology may need to be treated with thyroid medication. The conventional treatment is to look at the TSH and treat according to that test. By recognizing the disease from the symptoms and confirming it with the proper laboratory tests, many people can get the help they really need.
Thyroid Treatment An overview of thyroid problems, testing, and treatment options.
Thyroid Medications: What’s the Difference? Thyroid medications can range from synthetic to natural to bioidentical versions. So what are the differences?
The Epstein-Barr Virus-Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Connection Research suggests that some chronic diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may be caused by the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also known as a cause of mononucleosis (or “the kissing disease”).
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