What is the Thyroid Gland?
The thyroid gland (“thyroid”) is a small, butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the neck just below the Adam's apple.
The thyroid makes and releases the two primary thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The production of T4 and T3 requires three important nutrients: tyrosine, selenium, and iodine.
Calcitonin is another hormone made and release by the thyroid gland. It plays a role in regulating the level of calcium in your blood by decreasing it.
What does the Thyroid Do?
Makes and releases T4 and T3, often collectively referred to as “thyroid hormone” because T4 is largely inactive, meaning it does not affect your cells to a great extent, whereas T3 is active. Once your thyroid releases T4, certain cells in your body convert T4 (“inactive”) to T3 (“active”).
T4 being inactive does not mean T4 is not important. T4 plays a crucial role, functioning as a reservoir for T3 conversion, when needed by your body.
Thyroid hormones impact almost every cell in your body and help regulate many important functions throughout your body, including:
- Rate of metabolism (energy)
- Body temperature
- Growth & development, body and brain
- Heart Rate
- Liver metabolism of excess cholesterol
- Mental well-being and cognitive functions
- Mood and emotions
- Gastrointestinal Motility
- Skin health and maintenance
- Bone health and maintenance
- Quality and texture of hair
- Fertility
- And more…
What is Hyperthyroidism?
Less common that hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) occurs when the thyroid produces too much of the thyroid hormone T4, which adversely affects your bodily functions. The most common form of hyperthyroidism, about 50-80% of cases, is an autoimmune disorder commonly known as Graves’ Disease. Despite being the most common form of hyperthyroidism, Grave’s disease is a relatively rare condition.
Causes of Hyperthyroidism
- Autoimmune Disease – The most common cause of hyperthyroidism, Grave’s Disease, is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s own immune system stimulates your thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone (T4).
- Excessive Thyroid Medication – Also known as Exogenous Hyperthyroidism. It is caused by ingestion of excessive amount of thyroid hormone (T4 and/or T3) medications.
- Excess Iodine – consuming too much iodine, either through your diet or medications, can cause your thyroid to make more thyroid hormone.
- Medications – Certain medications, such as lithium, amiodarone and some cancer immunotherapies can cause hyperthyroidism.
- Thyroiditis – Your thyroid can become inflamed for many reasons causing excessive thyroid hormone stored in the gland to leak into the bloodstream. For example, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, the most common form of hypothyroidism, can initially present as hyperthyroidism; De Quervain’s Thyroiditis, typically caused by a viral infection; and pregnancy (postpartum thyroiditis).
- Hyperfunctioning Thyroid Nodules – This form of hyperthyroidism includes toxic adenoma and toxic multinodular (Plummer’s Disease). Hyperthyroidism occurs when a single or multiple adenomas of your thyroid gland produce excessive amounts of T4. An adenoma is part of the thyroid gland that has “walled” itself off from the rest of the gland, forming noncancerous (benign) nodules which may cause enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
An underactive thyroid causes the processes throughout your body to speed up, resulting in the various symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
- Weight loss
- Fatigue, tiredness
- Sensitivity to heat
- Excessive sweating
- Thin, warm, and moist skin
- Thinning skin
- Fine, brittle hair
- Diarrhea
- Rapid heart rate, heart pounding
- Irregular heartbeats, palpitations
- Muscle fatigue
- Nervousness, anxiety, irritability
- Tremor (typically fine hand tremors)
- Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- Bulging eyes (Graves’ Disease)
- Goiter (enlargement of the thyroid)
Hyperthyroid Treatment Options
Our Physician, Dr. Smith, a Board-Certified Naturopathic Endocrinologist, has a special clinical interest in treating and managing male hormone imbalances, including thyroid imbalance such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
At T2 Health, we take a completely different approach to helping our patients suffering with hyperthyroidism. We will help you uncover the underlying causes of your hyperthyroid and provide a wide range of integrative treatments tailored to your specific needs and goals to help you truly heal.
Medications
- Antithyroid Medications (i.e. Methimazole)
Supplemental Medications
Depending on your specific needs and goals, we may also use supplemental medications to support your thyroid optimization protocol, which can help with eliminating or reducing the various related symptoms while addressing the underlying cause of your thyroid condition.
- Beta-blockers (i.e. metoprolol)
Natural Medicines
At T2 Health, we consider Natural Medicines to be evidence informed natural substances, which may include vitamins, minerals, fish oils, botanical medicines, animal tissue (e.g. glandulars), and other therapeutic natural substances. Depending on your specific needs and goals, we may use natural medicines to support optimal thyroid levels and other bodily functions for increasing hormone health and overall health and well-being.
- Botanical Medicine
- Professional-Grade Supplements
FDA DISCLAIMER
The FDA requires that we include this disclaimer letting the reader know that FDA has not evaluated the above information and also it is not intended to diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure, or prevent any disease. According to the FDA, only drugs, not dietary supplements, can legally make those kinds of claims.
Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine
At T2 Health, we believe that lifestyle (healthy nutrition, physical active, quality and restful sleep, effective stress management, excessive alcohol, smoking, and healthy and loving relationships) is the foundation of health and well-being. Many of our lifestyle choices can influence our ability to make and release the correct amount of thyroid hormones and overall hormone health. Depending on your specific needs and goals, we may also use the following to establish the foundation of your thyroid optimization protocol, hormone health, and overall health and well-being:
- Lifestyle Medicine & Counseling
- Nutritional Medicine & Counseling
- IV Nutrient Therapy
- Nutrient Booster Injections
Referral to Specialists
The choice of treatment for your hyperthyroidism is a major decision. Each treatment has its risks, including permanent damage or removal of your thyroid resulting in permanent hypothyroidism which will require lifelong treatment with thyroid replacement therapy.
- Antithyroid Medication
- Radioactive Iodine
- Surgery (Thyroidectomy)
We will review your treatment options with you, including evidence-lead natural medicines and their risk, benefits, benefits, and alternative. Again, as this is a major decision, we will also refer you to the appropriate specialist for discussion of your treatment options, including the potential risks, benefits, alternative, and outcomes. At T2 Health, we do not perform radioactive iodine nor surgery services; these would be performed by the appropriate specialist. If your decision is to start antithyroid medication, you can either choose us or the specialist to manage your treatment.
Call To Action
Take the First Step to a Whole New You!
Schedule a Free “Discovery” Meeting Today
If you have been suffering from the symptoms of hyperthyroid or other hormone imbalances and are looking for a different approach and results, schedule a free, no obligation Discovery Meeting TODAY!
Basically, the purpose of this meeting is to see if we are a good fit for each other, and if it would be beneficial to continue working together. The Discovery Meeting allows you to:
- Tour our office and meet our doctors.
- Discuss your specific needs and health goals.
- Discuss and review different treatment options we offer.
- Discuss and review our Vitality Direct Care.
- Determine if we are a “good fit” for you.
- And have all your questions answered.
It takes less than a minute