Too often, people attribute symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and a sluggish metabolism to the demands of a busy lifestyle, but they may be due to an underlying thyroid condition. Naturopathic physician Danielle Lewis, ND, diagnoses and treats thyroid conditions at Harmony Integrative Healthcare in Midtown Phoenix, Arizona. If you have symptoms of a thyroid condition, call the office or request an appointment online today.
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your neck. It produces the hormone thyroxine (T4), which your liver, gut, heart, muscles, and nervous system convert into the active hormone triiodothyronine (T3). Bacteria in your gut produce an enzyme that your body needs to make this conversion, so gut health affects your thyroid function.
Your brain controls the amount of hormones your thyroid produces. Low metabolism triggers your brain to release more thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which stimulates T4 production.
The two main thyroid conditions are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid doesn’t make enough T4 or your body can’t sufficiently convert it to T3.
Many conditions can cause hypothyroidism, including thyroiditis, the autoimmune disease Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis, and iodine deficiency.
Hyperthyroidism isn’t nearly as common as hypothyroidism. This condition occurs when your thyroid produces too much hormone.
Every cell in your body has thyroid receptors, so a thyroid disorder can affect a wide range of bodily functions. Common hypothyroidism symptoms include:
Other conditions, such as anemia, can cause many of these symptoms. If you’re experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment at Harmony Integrative Healthcare for an accurate diagnosis and holistic treatment.
First, Dr. Lewis performs a physical exam and discusses your symptoms and medical history. She may order lab tests, such as a full thyroid panel, to check your hormone levels and confirm a diagnosis. She may recommend additional lab tests to assess health factors that can influence thyroid function, such as a micronutrient panel and food allergy panel.
Lab tests help Dr. Lewis identify the underlying cause of thyroid conditions so she can create an effective treatment plan that addresses the root problem, not only the symptoms.
Depending on your particular needs, Dr. Lewis may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
For holistic treatment of thyroid conditions, call Harmony Integrative Healthcare, or request an appointment online today.
