The thyroid is a tiny butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck that produces hormones that can affect every part of your body, from your brain to your skin. Hypothyroidism, otherwise known as an underactive thyroid gland, is a prevalent condition, especially in women. It occurs when your thyroid is not producing enough of the thyroid stimulating hormone, TSH, leading to a slowdown of the body’s metabolism. Symptoms vary from person to person; some will have mild symptoms, while others may have more severe ones.
TSH is a hormone that your pituitary gland makes that tells your thyroid how much thyroid hormone (called T4 and T3) to make. Taking your doctor’s medication is essential to manage this condition and its symptoms to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In this blog, we will focus on the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Hypothyroidism.
There is a wide range of symptoms that can be experienced by those with hypothyroidism. These are among the most common:
- Feeling Cold
- Dry, cool skin
- Puffy face and joint pain
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite with weight gain
- Brittle hair and nails
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Menstrual changes
- Depression and brain fog
For a thyroid diagnosis, a healthcare provider may:
- Give you a physical exam.
- Ask questions about your medical history.
- Ask for details about your symptoms.
- Give you a blood test to check your thyroid levels.
- Order imaging tests, such as a thyroid scan or ultrasound.
In most patients, Hypothyroidism is a permanent condition requiring lifelong thyroid replacement treatment. The most used Synthroid (aka levothyroxine) is an artificial thyroid hormone replacement used to treat low thyroid hormones in hypothyroid patients.
Many patients on Synthroid continue to experience symptoms despite taking their medication consistently. This is often because Synthroid only provides T4, and some individuals may have difficulty converting T4 to the active thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine (T3). Additionally, some patients may experience unpleasant side effects from Synthroid, including digestive issues, hair loss, and heart palpitations. As a result, many are exploring natural thyroid medications as an alternative.
Natural thyroid treatments are developed from porcine thyroid or from pigs. This natural thyroid treatment may be superior to synthetic because it contains T3 and T4. It is typically much more consistent in dosage and strength. Natural thyroid can be much more effective in regulating thyroid hormone in some patients. It is also better tolerated by many patients.
While there is no official cure, several treatments can restore thyroid function. Your medical provider can give guidance on what is best for your situation.
ALSA Research is a dedicated research facility founded in 1994 to conduct the highest quality clinical trials so that new, safe, and effective medications can be developed, researched, and approved for various indications and diseases. ALSA is currently enrolling participants in clinical trials investigating a potential natural treatment option for those diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. For more information and to find out if you qualify, call us at 203-374-9816 for our Bridgeport, CT location or visit alsaresearch.com.
