3 Ways Functional Medicine Can Help Thyroid Conditions

If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from a thyroid condition, functional medicine may be able to help. Functional medicine is a holistic approach to medicine that focuses on identifying and treating the root cause of your illness, rather than just treating the symptoms. There are three ways functional medicine can help improve thyroid conditions: by restoring balance in the body, addressing nutritional deficiencies, and by helping to resolve underlying emotional issues.

How does Your Thyroid work?

The thyroid gland is the body’s power generator. It sends energy to every cell in your system through hormones it produces, which control how fast you burn calories and help with metabolism regulation- all while managing overall health! This process begins when information about necessary nutrients enters our brain viac certain nerves (the ” Watkins vines.”); then those signals are sent out from here along regulatory fibers called “ neurofibrils .

When the hypothalamus detects that you are not getting enough food or water, it sends out Thyroid Releasing Hormone (TRH) to your pituitary gland. The TRH tells the thyroid how much energy levels need improvement by telling them about low blood sugar and other critical conditions in order for proper hormone production which can lead directly to producing more thyroxine hormones using an amino acid called tyrosine with just one iodine atom attached at a time depending upon what type of medication they will be taking as well if any.

There are three main types of functional thyroid medication:

In order to find the right medication, you should work with your doctor and keep track of lab results. But here are the common three main types of functional thyroid medication.

Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy

Thyroid hormone replacement therapy is the use of manmade thyroid hormones to raise abnormally low levels in an individual’s body. The most commonly prescribed type, pure synthetic thyroxine (T4) can be taken as pills or drops; it often helps treat an underactive thyroid.

TSH suppression therapy is the use of thyroid hormone medication to lower excessively high levels of TSH in an individual’s body. This can often help manage symptoms related to Grave’s disease, such as goiters, bulging eyes, and anxiety. 

Radioactive Iodine

Radioactive iodine therapy can help people live longer if they have papillary or follicular thyroid cancer (differentiated), which has spread to the neck and other parts of their bodies. But benefits are less clear for individuals with small cancers that do not seem like they’ve gotten far into surrounding tissue – these types often come out completely via surgery! You should discuss risks vs rewards before deciding whether radio nuclide treatment might be right for you; there isn’t enough research yet on its use in this situation though so until further studies are done, surgery is still the best option for most people.

If you have Graves’ disease or a toxic nodular goiter (the two main types of hyperthyroidism), functional medicine can help by addressing the underlying causes and not just the symptoms. This holistic approach uses dietary changes, supplements, and stress reduction techniques to promote balance in the body and alleviate symptoms. While medications can be helpful in some cases, they don’t always address the root cause of the problem and can come with a host of side effects. functional medicine provides a more comprehensive way to improve thyroid function and overall health.

Functional Supplements

Functional supplements have new or added ingredients that improve health. They’re categorized as food in some countries, whereas they can be drugs and natural products too! The term “functional foods” refers to these kinds of supplements with enhanced functions that result from improved nutrition qualifications like increased energy levels for example. Functional foods are designed to target a specific area of health, and they’re often used as part of a preventative approach to wellness.

When it comes to thyroid health, functional supplements can help in three big ways:

  • First, they can help improve your digestion which is essential since so many people with thyroid conditions have digestive issues. Digestion is key to the absorption of nutrients, so functional supplements that aid in digestion can be game-changers.
  • Second, functional supplements can provide the nutrients you need for healthy thyroid function. This includes things like iodine, selenium, zinc, and omega-three fatty acids. These nutrients are essential for the production of thyroid hormones and for keeping everything in balance.
  • Third,  functional supplements can help to address the underlying causes of thyroid conditions. This could be things like stress, inflammation, or gut imbalances. By addressing these underlying causes, you can often get relief from symptoms and start to feel better overall. If you’re struggling with a thyroid condition, functional medicine may be able to help.

Functional medicine can help improve thyroid conditions by restoring balance in the body, addressing nutritional deficiencies, and resolving underlying emotional issues. If you’re looking for a functional medicine doctor to help you with your thyroid condition, call us today! Our team of experts are here to help you get back on track to feeling your best.

Do You Need a Functional Medical Clinic You Can Trust?

As you know Functional Medicine asks how and why illness occurs and restores health by addressing the root causes of disease for each individual. Our goal for all of our patients at Hope for Healing is to optimize whole health, wellness, immunity, and longevity and find and fix the root problems permanently. All of our licensed medical providers have been trained by the Institute for Functional Medicine (ifm.org) and work collaboratively as part of the provider team under the leadership and direction of Paula Kruppstadt MD DABP FAAP IFMCP. We are trained to listen to our patients and take the time to do an appropriate root-cause analysis to find and implement permanent solutions together. If this sounds like we’d be the right fit for you, contact us today at (281) 725-6767!

Disclaimer

The materials available on this website are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not to provide health advice. You should contact your physician to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. You should not act or refrain from acting based on any content included in this site without seeking medical, legal or other professional advice. The information presented on this website may not reflect the most current medical developments. No action should be taken in reliance on the information contained on this website and we disclaim all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this site to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Our Beginner’s Guide to Thyroid Conditions

If you have been feeling off for a while, it is important to get checked for thyroid conditions. Thyroid conditions are more common than people think and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. In this beginner’s guide, we will discuss the most common thyroid conditions, their symptoms, and how to best treat them.

Thyroid Conditions

There are many different types of thyroid conditions, but the most common is Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease.

  • Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to become inflamed and eventually to stop functioning properly. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, depression, and hair loss.
  • Graves’ disease is another autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid gland, but in this case, the body produces too much thyroid hormone instead of attacking it. This can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, weight loss, and sweating.
  • Thyroid cancer is relatively rare, but it can occur in any of the three main types of thyroid cells. The most common type is papillary thyroid cancer, which accounts for around 80% of all cases. Follicular thyroid cancer makes up around 15% of cases, and medullary thyroid cancer is the rarest at just under five percent.
  • Hypothyroidism is the term used when the thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormone. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, depression, and hair loss.

Treatment

The goal of the treatment is to find out what works best for each patient, and it may include medication or surgery. The doctor will likely need time in order to get an idea of how well this helped you before deciding whether anything else should be done at all!

Thyroid surgery (thyroidectomy)

The thyroid gland is a small organ in the neck that produces certain hormones necessary for metabolism. The surgeon will remove all or part of this important structure to treat cancerous cells,  an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), or other conditions. The most common type of thyroid cancer is called papillary carcinoma, and it represents around 80% of all cases.

Your doctor will likely recommend surgery if you have:

  • A goiter that is causing difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Thyroid cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic disease)
  • A large benign tumor (adenoma) that is causing symptoms such as neck pain or pressure on the trachea (windpipe)

Antithyroid medications

Drugs are often the first resort for people with hyperthyroidism. They can be used to slow down the production of thyroid hormone, which in turn relieves symptoms and stabilizes metabolism. The most common drugs used to treat hyperthyroidism are called beta blockers. These work by blocking the effects of thyroid hormone on your body, which can help to reduce symptoms such as anxiety, tremors, and rapid heartbeat. 

Other common medications used to treat hyperthyroidism include propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (Tapazole). PTU works by interfering with the production of thyroid hormone, while methimazole blocks the action of thyroid hormone once it’s been produced.

Radioactive iodine

Iodine is a trace element that can be used with radioactivity in low doses to test one’s thyroid gland. Large amounts of this mineral, however, will destroy cancerous cells because it has an extremely powerful anti-tumor effect!

External radiation

External radiation therapy is another form of cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or particles to kill cancer cells. This type of therapy is usually given as part of curative intent, meaning it’s given with the goal of curing cancer. External radiation therapy can be used to treat many different types of cancer, including thyroid cancer.

External radiation therapy for thyroid cancer is typically given in five daily treatments over a period of five to seven weeks. The length of treatment depends on the type and stage of your cancer, as well as your overall health. During external radiation therapy, you’ll be treated by a team of specialists who will work together to ensure you receive the best possible care.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a thyroid condition involves several key steps. It is important for your health care team to conduct research on the symptoms you are experiencing so they can identify what type or region in order to make an accurate conclusion about it and give appropriate treatment accordingly; this includes blood tests, imaging studies (such as x-rays), endoscopy procedures with instruments that allow doctors see inside organs up close, and biopsies of abnormal areas.

Your health care team will also ask about your family history, as some thyroid conditions are hereditary. Be sure to give them a complete picture of your medical background so they can make the best possible diagnosis.

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms we’ve listed, please don’t hesitate to call us. We can help diagnose and treat your thyroid condition so you can feel better fast. With early diagnosis and treatment, many people with thyroid conditions are able to manage their symptoms and live healthy lives. Don’t suffer in silence – call us today!

Do You Need a Functional Medical Clinic You Can Trust?

As you know Functional Medicine asks how and why illness occurs and restores health by addressing the root causes of disease for each individual. Our goal for all of our patients at Hope for Healing is to optimize whole health, wellness, immunity, and longevity and find and fix the root problems permanently. All of our licensed medical providers have been trained by the Institute for Functional Medicine (ifm.org) and work collaboratively as part of the provider team under the leadership and direction of Paula Kruppstadt MD DABP FAAP IFMCP. We are trained to listen to our patients and take the time to do an appropriate root-cause analysis to find and implement permanent solutions together. If this sounds like we’d be the right fit for you, contact us today at (281) 725-6767!

Disclaimer

The materials available on this website are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not to provide health advice. You should contact your physician to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. You should not act or refrain from acting based on any content included in this site without seeking medical, legal or other professional advice. The information presented on this website may not reflect the most current medical developments. No action should be taken in reliance on the information contained on this website and we disclaim all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this site to the fullest extent permitted by law.

10 Fast Facts About Hyperthyroidism in 2023

Did you know that hyperthyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders in the world? In this blog post, we will discuss 10 fast facts about hyperthyroidism in 2023. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Hyperthyroidism is a serious medical condition

The thyroid gland is responsible for producing hormones that regulate body functions. It produces too much when hyperthyroidism occurs, which speeds up many of your system’s processes including heart rate and metabolism. The condition affects about 1% population in America alone, and women are five to eight times more likely than men to develop it.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can be difficult to notice because they mimic other conditions and illnesses. These symptoms include anxiety, nervousness, irritability, weight loss, increased appetite, sweating.

2. Your thyroid gland makes two hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine

Your thyroid gland makes two hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine. T3 is made from your more active hormone – let’s call it “thyroidal doodle.” It directly affects tissues in different parts of the body including skin dryness or moods; it also impacts metabolism which controls how fast you burn calories when at rest through various processes like turning food into energy that can be used for movement during exercise as well as healing wounds by providing nutrients needed not just now but later down life path regardless if they’re physical injuries sustained while playing sports or psychological ones from traumas.

3. Hyperthyroidism is a condition where your body produces too much thyroid hormone

Hyperthyroidism is a condition where your body produces too much thyroid hormone. This can be caused by an adenoma (non-cancerous) in the pituitary gland, which secretes too much TSH into circulation and triggers hyperthyroid symptoms like feeling constantly tired or having difficulty concentrating.

In rare cases, this serious medical issue goes unnoticed due to its subtlety. However, most people with advanced tumors have other signs before they become urgently seek treatment such as weight loss without deliberate intention, bulging eyes, or changes in their menstrual cycles.

4. People with Graves’ disease have an immune system that makes a TSI

Graves’ disease is an auto-immune condition that causes the immune system to produce thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI). The TSI mimics the action of Thyroid Hormone or thyroxine, which stimulates too much production by our body’s protein in order for us to have a healthy amount.

5. Thyroid nodules are small lumps in your thyroid gland

Thyroid nodules are small lumps in your thyroid gland. They’re common and usually noncancerous, though some may become overactive to produce too much hormone by mistake!

6. Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid that causes the stored hormones to leak out

Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid that causes the stored hormones to leak out and raise your blood levels. It starts off as hyperthyroidism, where you have a lot more than the normal amount for 1 or 2 months until it progresses into hypothyroidism when there’s not enough available in our bodies – this can happen at any time!

7. Goiter, which is an enlarged thyroid that can cause the neck to look swollen and interfere with normal breathing

The swelling in the neck can interfere with normal breathing and swallowing. The goiter, is an enlarged thyroid that may cause you to have a swollen appearance of your face or even make it difficult for food to chew and then swallow. 

8. Women are at a higher risk for developing hyperthyroidism than men

Women are at a higher risk for developing hyperthyroidism than men, and certain factors can increase the chances. These include: 

  • Having more family members with thyroid disease
  • Eating large amounts of additional protein foods while not balancing calories properly
  • Smoking cigarettes
  • Exposure to high levels of radiation

9. Hyperthyroidism is a disorder that occurs more often in older adults

Hyperthyroidism is a disorder that often affects older adults. It’s caused by thyroids, which are more common in people over 60 years of age because they don’t display the typical symptoms as other thyroid disorders do. For this reason, it can be misdiagnosed as depression or dementia.

10. Hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs during pregnancy and can have serious consequences for the mother as well baby

Graves’ disease, usually caused by an overactive thyroid gland (goiter), leads to one in every 500 pregnancies – affecting both mommy-to be’s health along with her prenatal outcomes such quires miscarriage risk or delivery date which could lead up being preterm babies who are more likely than others premature birth due low birth weight among other things.

That’s all for now on hyperthyroidism. As you can see, it’s a serious condition that requires treatment. If you think you may be experiencing some of the symptoms, please give us a call today. We would be happy to answer any questions and help you get started on the road to feeling better. Thanks for reading!

Do You Need a Functional Medical Clinic You Can Trust?

As you know Functional Medicine asks how and why illness occurs and restores health by addressing the root causes of disease for each individual. Our goal for all of our patients at Hope for Healing is to optimize whole health, wellness, immunity, and longevity and find and fix the root problems permanently. All of our licensed medical providers have been trained by the Institute for Functional Medicine (ifm.org) and work collaboratively as part of the provider team under the leadership and direction of Paula Kruppstadt MD DABP FAAP IFMCP. We are trained to listen to our patients and take the time to do an appropriate root-cause analysis to find and implement permanent solutions together. If this sounds like we’d be the right fit for you, contact us today at (281) 725-6767!

Disclaimer

The materials available on this website are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not to provide health advice. You should contact your physician to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. You should not act or refrain from acting based on any content included in this site without seeking medical, legal or other professional advice. The information presented on this website may not reflect the most current medical developments. No action should be taken in reliance on the information contained on this website and we disclaim all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this site to the fullest extent permitted by law.