The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck that has a huge impact on our overall health. It is considered a master gland that helps regulate critical bodily functions.
Thyroid disorders refer to a group of conditions that result from the thyroid gland not functioning properly. These can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged thyroid) that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones resulting in hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism slows down the body's metabolism causing fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, mood changes, and more. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause. In contrast, hyperthyroidism speeds up the body’s processes causing sudden weight loss, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, nervousness, and other symptoms. Graves' disease is a leading culprit.
Fortunately, thyroid disorders are often easily managed through medications like levothyroxine or treatments such as radioactive iodine therapy. Adjusting lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and stress levels also makes a big difference! Getting blood tests regularly from your doctor is important to keep levels in check.
If you suspect a thyroid problem, I highly recommend getting a thorough workup from the talented physicians at Vitality Hormone Center. Their compassionate, integrative care approach looks at the whole person to uncover root causes and find solutions tailored to your unique situation. They offer advanced testing and natural thyroid treatments to gently restore balance, on top of conventional methods. Visit today to learn more or book your evaluation - your health and wellbeing rests heavily on proper thyroid function so don't delay!