Thyroid Health Optimization for Women

Thyroid Health Optimization for Women

She sat across from me and let out a sigh…”So, it isn’t all in my head?” she asked.

“No, you have hypothyroidism,” I answered, “and this explains many of your symptoms.”

A tear slid down her face, “I thought I was going crazy. I have just been so tired…”

The thyroid affects multiple systems in the body and can therefore cause a wide range of symptoms that can vary from person to person. Many women who suffer from thyroid disorders are told that everything is fine when they have overt symptoms. If they don’t find the right provider who will take the time to assess them properly they can go for YEARS without a diagnosis, without proper treatment, and with debilitating symptoms. And…just because you were put on thyroid medication doesn’t mean that the struggle is over and that all symptoms will go away.

Some of the symptoms that a person with hypothyroidism can have include:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain or inability to lose weight
• Brain fog
• Dry skin
• Brittle nails
• Dry hair and hair shedding and/or loss of part of their eyebrows
• Low libido
• Depression
• Elevations in blood sugar and cholesterol in their labs
• Cold intolerance
• Joint pain

The confusing part is that the symptom picture varies dramatically from person to person.

So, if you think you have a thyroid problem and you aren’t getting answers, what blood work should be done?

Many physicians will simply order TSH levels, but this is NOT enough. Free T3, Free T4, TPO antibodies and Anti-TG antibodies should also be ordered. Reverse T3 can also be helpful.

As I said above sometimes medication isn’t enough to eliminate all of the symptoms…SO just because you have been put on medication (even if you originally felt better when you started it) doesn’t mean that the dose is still the right dose, or that your thyroid is no longer the cause of your symptoms.

There is NOT a 1 size fits all approach to thyroid medication- even though many patients are led to believe that levothyroxine is the key. There are other options and some patients need to try a few different options before they find the combination that is right for them.

In addition, most people with thyroid issues cannot feel truly well until diet, nutrient status and lifestyle are addressed, ESPECIALLY if antibodies are high.

Inflammation from foods that are not working for your body or not eating enough, lack of important vitamins and minerals, over-exercising, stress, period problems…all of these things impact thyroid function. If these are not addressed, the medication will only be a band-aid, that will never seem like it is quite enough.

At Health Over All, we have developed a health program to make sure that we are addressing each aspect of your health in a specific order to get you feeling better, and optimize your thyroid so you continue to feel well.

If you have a thyroid condition and you are still not feeling well, or if you simply know that something is wrong but no-one can help you, we can help. Contact us to book your free alignment call today and ask about Well Woman Assessments.

Book your free Alignment Call HERE.

In health,

Dr. Lisa Maddalena, ND