Do you find yourself feeling tired all the time? Do you have brain fog, hair loss, or trouble losing weight? If so, you may be suffering from a thyroid imbalance – an issue that functional medicine practitioners see all too often.
The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower front of the neck. This gland produces thyroid hormones, which are secreted into the blood and then carried to every tissue in the body. Thyroid hormones play a major role in regulating metabolism. They also affect growth and development, body temperature, and heart rate.
If the thyroid gland is not functioning properly, it can lead to a variety of health problems.
An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can cause anxiety, weight loss, and heart palpitations. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause fatigue, weight gain, and depression. restoring thyroid hormone balance is crucial for maintaining optimal health.
The functional medicine approach to treating thyroid disorders focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying root causes of the condition. This approach is different from the conventional medical approach, which focuses on symptom management.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the most effective strategies for restoring thyroid hormone balance using a functional medicine approach.
Understanding Thyroid Issues
There are two main types of thyroid disorders: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body produces too little thyroid hormone. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s disease.
Other causes of hypothyroidism include iodine deficiency, certain medications, and surgical thyroid gland removal. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, muscle aches, joint pain, depressed mood, and irregular menstrual cycles.
Hyperthyroidism is an autoimmune disorder when the body produces too much thyroid hormone. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease. Other causes of hyperthyroidism include certain medications and thyroid gland inflammation (thyroiditis).
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include anxiety, weight loss, irritability, difficulty sleeping, palpitations, sweating, tremor, diarrhea, and menstrual irregularities.
Whether you are suffering from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, it is important to work with a functional medicine practitioner to identify and address the underlying root causes of your condition.
How Functional Medicine Approaches Treating Thyroid Disorders
The functional medicine approach to treating thyroid disorders focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying root causes of the condition. This approach differs from the conventional medical approach, which focuses on symptom management.
Step 1: Identify the Root Causes
The first step in treating thyroid disorders using a functional medicine approach is to identify the condition’s root causes. Many possible underlying causes of thyroid disorders include autoimmune reactions, nutrient deficiencies, toxic exposures, and stress.
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Autoimmune reactions: Autoimmune reactions are a major cause of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease are the two most common autoimmune disorders that cause thyroid problems. In functional medicine, we often recommend lifestyle changes and natural supplements to help reduce inflammation and modulate the immune system.
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Nutrient deficiencies: Nutrient deficiencies are another common cause of thyroid disorders. Iodine is an essential nutrient for thyroid function, and iodine deficiency is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Selenium, zinc, and iron are other important nutrients for thyroid health.
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Toxic exposures: Toxic exposures, such as exposure to mercury, can also contribute to thyroid disorders. Mercury is a toxic metal that can be found in certain fish, dental amalgams, and vaccines.
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Stress: Stress is another common root cause of thyroid problems. Chronic stress can lead to adrenal fatigue, which can in turn disrupt thyroid function.
Step 2: Address the Root Causes
Once the underlying root causes of the condition have been identified, the next step is to address these causes. The specific treatment approach will depend on the underlying causes that have been identified.
Autoimmune reactions: If autoimmune responses are found to be a root cause of the condition, then treatment will focus on reducing inflammation and modulating the immune system. This can be done through lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and eating a healthy diet. Additionally, natural supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and probiotics, can help reduce inflammation and modulate the immune system
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Nutrient deficiencies: If nutrient deficiencies are found to be a root cause of the condition, then treatment will focus on replenishing these nutrients. Iodine supplements can be helpful for iodine deficiency, and selenium, zinc, and iron supplements can be helpful for other nutrient deficiencies.
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Toxic exposures: If toxic exposures are found to be a root cause of the condition, then treatment will focus on avoiding or eliminating exposure to these toxins. This may involve avoiding certain fish, dental amalgams, or vaccines.
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Stress: If stress is found to be a root cause of the condition, then treatment will focus on reducing stress levels. This can be done through lifestyle changes, such as getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and practicing meditation or mindfulness. Additionally, supplements, such as ashwagandha and Rhodiola rosea, can help reduce stress levels.
Step 3: Supporting Ongoing Thyroid Function
In addition to addressing the underlying root causes of the condition, it is also important to support thyroid function.
There are also lifestyle changes that can be helpful in supporting thyroid function. These include:
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Getting enough sleep
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Exercising regularly
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Eating a healthy diet.
The specific approach that is used to support thyroid function will depend on the underlying causes that have been identified. Working with a functional medicine practitioner can be helpful in developing a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
Fight Back Against Thyroid Problems
Thyroid problems are a common health concern that can have a major impact on your quality of life.
If you think you may have a thyroid disorder, it is important to work with a healthcare practitioner to get properly diagnosed and develop a treatment plan. Functional medicine practitioners are trained to identify and address the underlying causes of conditions.
At Internal Healing and Wellness, Dr.Khan works with patients to identify and address the underlying root causes of their conditions so that they can experience lasting healing. If you are interested in working with Dr. Khan, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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