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Thyroid Disorders

Are you feeling more fatigued than normal?

Thyroid Disorders Brunswick NaturopathyAre you struggling to lose weight?  Have your periods become irregular? Are you feeling a bit down lately? Or you may be the opposite and feeling more nervous and anxious, and losing weight while eating more than usual.

If you are struggling with any these on a regular basis, you may have a thyroid problem.

What is the Thyroid Gland?

The thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly and is located in the front centre of your neck. It controls everything from your mood, to your menstrual cycle, to regulating your energy, temperature and metabolism, along with hundreds of other functions in your body, including how efficiently you burn calories and lose weight. Having the right amount of thyroid hormone for your individual needs is essential to your well-being.

The most common forms of thyroid problems are:

  • Hypothyroidism, which is under-functioning of the thyroid gland (energy and metabolism are low)
  • Hyperthyroidism, which is over-functioning of the thyroid gland (metabolism is running on overdrive)
  • Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune form of underactive thyroid
  • Graves’ disease, an autoimmune form of overactive thyroid

There can be many causes of thyroid problems including:

  • Genetic predisposition
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Infection and inflammation
  • Immune dysregulation
  • Environmental toxicity – chemicals, heavy metals etc.
  • Increased stress
  • Medications

Symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) include:

  • Thyroid Disorder SymptomsTiredness, weakness
  • Dry skin
  • Low body temperature, cold intolerance
  • Hair thinning or loss
  • Brain fog or trouble concentrating
  • Constipation
  • Weight gain with poor appetite
  • Hoarse voice
  • Heavy or irregular periods
  • Puffy face, hands, feet
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Joint and muscle aches (carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis)
  • Generalized swelling
  • Low heart rate

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) include:

  • Fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Increased appetite
  • Excessive sweating
  • Heat intolerance
  • Nervousness, agitation, anxiety
  • Increased bowel motions /diarrhoea
  • Irregular and scant menstrual flow
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Sleep disturbances

Thyroid problems may affect as many as 10% of women – but unfortunately many are undiagnosed. To cut down on costs to Medicare, doctors are often reluctant to do a full thyroid function test even if requested. Often they will only test TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone).  While this is an important test, it doesn’t tell us about your actual thyroid levels and whether you are converting to your active thyroid hormone.

For this reason, many people are told that their thyroid is fine, even though it isn’t.

Disorders of the thyroid gland respond very well to naturopathic treatment as it addresses the cause of the problem.  Your thyroid gland needs nourishment and you may need to make some dietary changes and use thyroid supplements.

Your immune system may need regulating and we may need to support your body to reduce inflammation.  We have some great herbs and nutrients to support this. We will work with you to reduce symptoms and to regulate your thyroid hormone levels.

If you are ready to take control of your own health, call me at Brunswick Naturopathy (0403755584) or book an online appointment.