On today’s episode of Rethink my Health, Dr. Agolli and Dr. Burdette will be talking about Thyroid function and will be discussing top nutritional strategies for supporting the thyroid. The team will go over hallmark symptoms of underactive thyroid function. You will learn the difference between clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism and that “in-range” numbers may still present with hypothyroid symptoms. You will learn about thyroid hormones and clinical tests your provider may be using to diagnose thyroid function.
Hypothyroidism is a health condition where the human body has an underactive thyroid, which interferes with the production of crucial hormones. If left untreated over extended periods of time, hypothyroidism can cause health complications including obesity, infertility, heart problems, and joint issues. As a necessary part of the body’s lipid metabolism, a dysfunctional thyroid can also present sexual and reproductive issues if not addressed.
You may be familiar with the thyroid gland- a small butterfly-shaped gland situated on the front of the neck. You may know people with thyroid disorders. You may have heard of people with thyroid issues: Oprah, Zoe Saldana, Tarek from Flip or Flop, Sofia Vergara from Modern Family, and Gina Rodriguez from Jane the Virgin… just to name a few. What you will notice (if you know of any of these celebrities) is that it is a manageable and easily treatable condition. What is harder is actually getting diagnosed properly, and getting treated properly to restore your optimal thyroid level.
The thyroid gland is responsible for energy and metabolism in the body. It produces and regulates hormones that are important for growth development, mood, and sexual function. Thyroid hormones impact metabolism, cognitive function, mood, emotions, concentration, memory, and attention. Better thyroid function helps our immune system, energy levels, and reproductive function.
For patients with hypothyroidism, there are many treatment alternatives. Knowledge of thyroid hormone structure and physiology helps integrative medical physicians develop natural, targeted treatments to improve thyroid levels without adverse side effects.
