Thyroid dysfunction can lead to an array of unwanted and debilitating symptoms. Just speak to anyone suffering from a mismanaged thyroid disorder, and they’ll soon tell you how terribly unwell they feel. Thankfully, there are some really good testing options out there to get you back on track. It’s all about finding the right practitioner, the most specific testing options and individualised treatment for your needs.
FUNCTIONS OF THE THYROID GLAND
Your thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped organ located in the neck. It helps to regulate speed of the reflexes, your metabolism and heart rate. Generally, your thyroid is responsible for controlling every cell in the body. Consequently it manages energy levels, mood, detoxification and influences hormonal functioning. However, when the thyroid is not behaving itself, we see the body start to exhibit all manner of symptoms. These can all seem a bit random, but as the thyroid is controlling all body systems, it’s clear to see why such a cascade of symptoms starts to emerge.
TYPICAL THYROID SYMPTOMS
- Fatigue
- Brain Fog
- Weight Gain
- Sleep Issues
- Hair Loss
- Poor Memory
- Constipation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Low Libido
- Muscle and Joint pain
- Feeling the Cold
LAB TESTS LETTING YOU DOWN?
Undoubtedly, this is common. I hear it all the time with my patients. Thyroid conditions in my experience are often mismanaged and poorly understood. I have spent years specialising in treating thyroid conditions. I’ve seen my fair share of very sick people not getting the real help they deserve. Furthermore, when it comes to just having the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) test run – it just doesn’t cut it!
Firstly, you need the full thyroid panel – TSH, T3, T4, Reverse T3, TPOAB, TGAB, SHBG. Generally, anything less than this, just doesn’t give you the full picture. Most doctors do not run these tests, but they are available. Certainly, I refer my patients for whatever testing is needed. Tests give you answers – right? With the answers, we have a starting point. From there, we have a clear vision moving forward as to how your health has been affecting you and the overall means to improving your health naturally.
CAUSES OF POOR THYROID FUNCTION
- Adrenal issues
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Autoimmune disease – like Hashimoto’s or Graves
- Some Medications
- Thyroid Nodules
SEEKING ANSWERS
Establishing the underlying root causes of thyroid disorders for most people, can be a lot like being on a merry go round. Surprisingly, you go round and round in circles, trying to determine what is happening, with little or no answers in the right direction. Most thyroid sufferers are misunderstood by their doctors. Dosing thyroid medications, assessing thyroid status and investigating these illnesses with limited testing (e.g. TSH and T4), will miss the full picture of how that thyroid is functioning.
You need a full thyroid panel run. If you are obviously missing these terribly crucial markers, you should be searching elsewhere to fully understand the extent of your thyroid symptoms.
Indeed, there are sure fire ways to get your thyroid healthy and for you to get your life back on track again. If you feel like you would like comprehensive testing and investigations into your thyroid symptoms, please get in contact with me. I can certainly get you the answers you’ve been searching for. In all the years, I have been running the right kind of testing for my patients, I’ve never had any test results come back ‘normal’. Hey, that’s a good thing though! We need to piece that puzzle together for you.
