How to Care for your Thyroid
What is the number one most common condition I see in my practice? Hypothyroidism. The thyroid is a common source of many people’s health problems – 1 out of every 8 women will experience thyroid issues in their lifetime. Most thyroid problems are autoimmune, with the most common being Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. This creates low thyroid function and a myriad of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin and muscle aches and pains to name a few. How miserable!
The difficulty with the thyroid is it’s frequently an “innocent bystander,” and the issues are not always caused by the gland itself. In addition, conventional doctors don’t always know how to treat autoimmunity, so they may not check for Hashimoto’s. This approach can make treatment difficult and ineffective.
In order to diagnose Hashimoto's properly, you will need to have your thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibodies checked. Your conventional doctor will likely not run tests outside of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), which only gives a partial understanding of thyroid function as it’s technically a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, not the thyroid!
In addition, since thyroid dysfunction is so common (especially among women), doctors are quick to prescribe medication instead of searching for a root cause. Functional medicine takes a different approach by searching for and addressing the root rather than jumping into medication. Using lifestyle and diet changes, we like to approach thyroid problems with a different lens. Here I will describe just a few of the ways we look at thyroid dysfunction, and how we work to reverse it.
Addressing Stress
Stress is one of the most significant drivers of chronic health issues and symptoms, yet it’s frequently overlooked by doctors and patients alike. Studies have shown that there’s a connection between stress and the thyroid. Stress hormones like cortisol can interrupt the natural thyroid hormonal balance, and If your adrenal glands aren’t functioning properly, treatments will not be successful. When someone comes to me with a thyroid problem, I always like to address stress management first and foremost.
Meeting Basic Nutrients
Your body requires a certain amount of nutrients to function properly, and conventional doctors don’t typically check this either. Vitamin D plays a vital role in thyroid function, immune function, and overall well being. I always recommend that everyone takes a Vitamin D supplement, especially in the winter in Ohio when we aren’t getting sunlight. Selenium is another nutrient that plays a key role in thyroid function. Brazil nuts, local meat and seafood are quality sources of selenium, and will act as an antioxidant. Zinc is an important cofactor in thyroid hormone production. Pumpkin seeds are my favorite way to get zinc but you can get it through other nuts, seeds, meat and fish. In general, someone with a thyroid problem should aim to fuel their thyroid with these nutrients.
Supporting the Immune System
Since the driving cause behind most thyroid problems is autoimmunity, prioritizing the immune system is crucial to reversing these conditions. Supporting your immune system requires adequate (and quality) sleep, meeting basic nutrients (as listed above), moving your body everyday, and eating whole foods regularly. It’s also important to manage stress, and maintain a healthy gut microbiome. Each of these tips are not only essential when you have a thyroid condition, but they are recommended for everyone to live a healthy lifestyle. When we are stressed, losing sleep, and eating poorly, our immune systems suffer. One of the biggest drivers of autoimmunity is a leaky gut. So believe it or not, I often work to heal the gut to actually heal the thyroid!
At my practice, we start with lifestyle changes before doing any testing, or thinking about medication. By targeting stress, nutrients, and the immune system, many symptoms simply work themselves out. Patients are always so amazed at how powerful these lifestyle upgrades can be. This is why conventional medicine often fails us when it comes to autoimmunity, and why you should consider a functional doctor if you are diagnosed with a thyroid condition.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an autoimmune condition, or a thyroid problem, let us know! We are here to help. You can schedule a free discovery call through our website here.
In Health,
Dr. Emily