The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland located just under your Adam’s apple at the front of your neck, but don’t let its small size fool you. The thyroid has the powerful job of controlling your energy levels and metabolism. Hypothyroidism is the result of an under functioning thyroid and can cause the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Brain fog
- Dry skin
- Constipation
- Hair loss
- Sensitivity to the cold
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a common cause of hypothyroidism and results when a person’s immune system attacks their own thyroid causing inflammation and thyroid dysfunction. Other causes of hypothyroidism include thyroid removal, destruction with radioactive therapy and severe iodine deficiency. Chronic stress and adrenal fatigue also play a role in the development of hypothyroidism, as well as heavy metal toxicity and chronic viruses. As Naturopathic physicians, we work to determine the cause of your thyroid dysfunction and develop a treatment plan that may include dietary modifications and gut repair, mineral supplementation, adrenal support and stress management, and prescription thyroid medication if indicated. We often run comprehensive thyroid blood tests that includes thyroid antibodies, TSH, free T4 and free T3 to help guide our therapies.