The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the lower front of the neck, explains Dr. I. Wetzel (Naturopathy). The thyroid’s job is to make hormones that are secreted into the blood and then carried to every tissue in the body. Thyroid hormone helps the body make energy, metabolize, regulate temperature, and keeps the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working as they should. When the body isn’t making enough thyroid hormone, symptoms can include fatigue, weight gain, hair thinning, dry skin, and depression.
https://www.nourishdoc.com/Medical-Condition/Hypothyroidism
Experts believe that between 40 and 60 percent of people with thyroid disease do not know they have it. Low thyroid hormone can also cause more serious symptoms like difficulty sleeping, changes in menstruation, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Because symptoms of hypothyroidism can resemble those of other diseases and vary widely from person to person, patients may not recognize them as a problem warranting exploration or treatment. Experts believe that between 40 and 60 percent of people with thyroid disease do not know they have it.
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Typically, blood tests are used in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Three measurements are often considered: free thyroxine (T4) and free triiodothyronine (T3), both produced by the thyroid itself, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, also called thyrotropin), produced by the pituitary gland to regulate the thyroid.
https://www.nourishdoc.com/Ayurveda/Control-of-Hypothyroidism-with-Ayurvedic-Herbs-metabolism-and-nutrition-ayurveda
While many doctors follow the current TSH reference ranges for diagnosis (0.4 to 5.0mU/L), there is substantial controversy about what is diagnosable and treatable as hypothyroidism and sub-clinical hypothyroidism (when blood levels of free T3 and free T4 are normal, but the level of the thyroid-stimulating hormone is high).
https://www.nourishdoc.com/Medical-Condition/Hypothyroidism/Ayurveda
A blood test measuring thyroid antibodies, anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) are used to confirm or rule out autoimmune thyroid disease causing hypothyroidism.
https://www.nourishdoc.com/Medical-Condition/Hypothyroidism/Diet-Therapy
Hypothyroidism: Underlying Causes: Naturopathic doctors treat hypothyroidism from the root of the problem. There are two main types of hypothyroidism, with numerous contributing factors:
Autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. This is a form of thyroid inflammation caused by the patient’s own immune system. Hashimoto’s is five to eight times more common in women than men. Elevated levels of anti-TPO antibodies are found in approximately five percent of adults and 15 percent of older women. Individuals with other autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis have a higher prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease.
https://www.nourishdoc.com/TreatmentPlans/Vitamins-Supplements-For-Thyroid-Health-hashimoto-s-thyroiditis-hyperthyroidism
Central or pituitary hypothyroidism, where the thyroid just isn’t making enough hormone, is often influenced by environmental and nutritional factors including gastrointestinal system inflammation, vitamin and mineral deficiencies or imbalances, high levels of cortisol (due to prolonged stress or oral steroid use), and/or elevated estrogen. Surgery on the thyroid gland (to remove a goiter or nodule) and/or radioactive iodine treatment (to treat a thyroid nodule, hyperactive thyroid, throat cancer, and cancer of nearby sites) can also cause hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism—Naturopathic Treatments: The current conventional medical treatment for hypothyroidism is daily thyroid hormone supplementation with synthetic levothyroxine (T4), liothyronine (T3), or natural desiccated thyroid (T4 and T3) to correct low levels. While this treatment can be very effective for some patients, for others with Hashimoto’s taking thyroid hormone alone does not fully address the underlying cause of dysfunction. For some, the medication can create a yo-yo-ing of symptoms while trying to find the correct dosage. Other individuals don’t tolerate or absorb the thyroid hormone well.
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Naturopathic doctors are trained in the pharmacological treatments commonly prescribed by conventionally trained MDs, and in some states, prescribe pharmaceuticals when necessary. However, NDs rarely use medication as a standalone treatment.NDs individualize hypothyroid treatment, often combining diet, supplementation, botanical medicine, and conventional pharmaceuticals as needed.