Thyroid Health and Hashimoto’s

Dealing With Thyroid Imbalances

It is easy to confuse adrenal fatigue with hypothyroidism. Many of the symptoms are similar and people may suffer from both conditions. Dr Castle has been seeing more and more thyroid issues than ever before in her patient population, including younger individuals. The thyroid is a sensitive gland that may require considerable support to improve its function.

Low Thyroid Symptoms May Include:

• • Fatigue
  • Weight gain
  • Craving fatty foods
  • High LDL and total cholesterol
  • Chronic constipation
  • Losing the outer 1/3 of the eyebrows
  • Dry skin and hair
  • Hair loss
  • Goiter
  • Hoarse voice
  • Hypersensitivity to cold weather
  • Intolerance to heat
  • Muscle cramps while at rest
  • Inflexibility
  • Mood changes
  • Memory problems
  • Infertility

To understand a person’s thyroid problem, it is important to get a full thyroid panel through a blood draw. This can be done in a conventional laboratory setting. Testing includes: TSH, total T4, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, T3 uptake, thyroid antibodies (anti-thyroid peroxidase and anti-thyroglobulin for Hashimoto’s and thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin for Grave’s disease).

Thyroid hormone production is influenced by many different things in the body – estrogen levels, cortisol levels, autoimmunity, nutritional status including iron levels, essential fatty acids, inflammation, liver function and a person’s microbiome, digestive health, and certain prescription medications. Several of these areas are likely to be taken into consideration when creating a personalized plan for thyroid health.

To improve thyroid complaints, a comprehensive approach is necessary. We use diet, lifestyle, and natural medicine to balance thyroid hormone levels. Depending on the situation, a thyroid hormone prescription may be recommended if needed.  

For patients on thyroid hormone medication, but still experiencing thyroid symptoms, a 4-point cortisol test to assess adrenal function and other reproductive hormone testing may be indicated.

For patients with Hashimoto’s or Grave’s disease, an evaluation of the predisposition to autoimmune disorders is taken into consideration. For example, a food allergy or food sensitivity panel and a stool analysis may be indicated to determine if the autoimmune process is influenced by digestive inflammation.