Naperville Integrated Wellness

NAPERVILLE'S TOP RATED LOCAL® FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE FACILITY

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If you experience sudden weight gain or loss, fatigue, feeling cold all the time, changes in your appetite, hair loss, dry skin, depression, hoarseness, and difficulty concentrating, these may all be signs that your thyroid is not working properly.  Luckily Naperville Integrated Wellness have a Functional medicine doctor specializing in thyroid. Additionally, if you have a slow or rapid heart rate, high or low blood pressure, and an irregular menstrual cycle, these could also be indicators of a thyroid issue. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to speak with your doctor as soon as possible to get a diagnosis and treatment plan. A healthy thyroid is essential for your overall health, so don’t hesitate to get checked out if something seems out of whack.  Learn more from Naperville Integrated Wellness now.

Functional Medicine Doctor Specializing In Thyroid

Functional medicine doctors are specialists in helping with thyroid issues. They take a holistic approach to treating thyroid problems, looking at the underlying causes of an individual’s specific condition instead of just treating the symptoms. In addition to helping diagnose and treat hypo- and hyperthyroidism, functional medicine doctors can also help identify any other underlying health issues that could be contributing to the thyroid problem.

They may also suggest lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and reducing stress, which can all help improve thyroid function. Finally, functional medicine doctors can provide personalized advice and treatment plans tailored to the individual’s needs, including nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, and other natural treatments. By taking a comprehensive approach to resolving thyroid issues, functional medicine can help by looking to the root of the problem.

functional medicine and thyroid

Thyroid’s Role In Depression and Weight Gain

The thyroid is a gland located in the neck that plays an important role in weight gain and depression. The thyroid produces hormones that help control the body’s metabolism and energy levels. When the thyroid does not produce enough of these hormones, the body’s metabolism slows down and weight gain can occur. Additionally, low levels of thyroid hormones can lead to depression.

People with hypothyroidism have lower levels of serotonin, which is a hormone that helps regulate mood. This can lead to feelings of sadness and fatigue, and can even cause changes in appetite and weight. It is important to get regular blood tests to check for thyroid problems, as they can be treated with medication or lifestyle changes. Proper thyroid function can help keep weight gain and depression in check.

Weight-Gain and Thyroid

Your thyroid gland controls the energy levels of your body.  The ability to eliminate excess body fat and has a significant influence on brain function. When you have normal thyroid function you have energy, feel good and can maintain proper weight. If you have a sluggish thyroid or your thyroid medication type or dosage is not tailored to your needs, you may gain weight.  In addition feel fatigued and suffer from lack of motivation or depression.

Thyroid – T4 and T3

The thyroid produces a hormone called T4 (a hormone found in most thyroid medications like Synthroid / levothyroxine). T4 then travels in the bloodstream to other organs (liver, intestines, brain and kidney).  Where it is converted into a much more potent hormone called T3 (some medications are a combination of T4 and T3). This conversion process is extremely important.  Because T3 is the potent form of thyroid hormone and the cells of your body use 90% T3 and only 10% T4. The conversion of T4 into T3 depends on many other factors.  Including good intestine and liver health and sufficient levels of specific nutrients including selenium, zinc and glutathione.

If you are taking T4 medication and still experiencing symptoms of low thyroid function you may have a T4-T3 conversion disorder. This can happen even when your doctor assures you that your thyroid tests are “normal.”

The importance of proper T4 and T3 levels cannot be overemphasized. This is because the cells of your body depend on thyroid hormone to make energy. Without proper energy levels, your cells will not function normally. When energy levels begin to decline you won’t feel well and you are more susceptible to other health problems like weight-gain, fatigue, hair loss, digestion problems, elevated cholesterol, blood sugar problems and mood disorders.

Depression and Thyroid

The thyroid is an important organ located in the neck that plays a significant role in depression. Thyroid hormones, particularly thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), are responsible for regulating the body’s metabolism and energy levels. When these hormones are out of balance, it can lead to depression due to fatigue, low mood, and various physical ailments.

Additionally, the thyroid can become overactive or underactive, meaning it produces either too much or too little thyroid hormone, which can lead to depression. Furthermore, thyroid disorders can cause fluctuations in hormone levels, resulting in dramatic shifts in mood and other symptoms associated with depression. In short, an imbalance in thyroid hormones can have a significant impact on depression.

What To Expect With Functional Medicine and Depression

Functional medicine doctors look to treat depression by looking at the individual as a whole and taking a holistic approach. They look for the underlying causes of depression, such as lifestyle factors, nutritional deficiencies, or environmental issues, rather than simply prescribing medications. Functional medicine doctors will work with patients to develop an individualized treatment plan that may include dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, supplement supplementation, and stress-reduction techniques.

Additionally, they may also recommend counseling or other psychological treatments, depending on the patient’s needs. By understanding the root cause of depression, functional medicine doctors are able to develop a comprehensive plan.  This plan helps to address the individual’s unique needs and provide long-term relief from depression.

Schedule Your FM Doctor Thyroid Appointment Today

If you are struggling with a thyroid problem, you should consider seeing a physician who specializes in functional medicine. At Naperville Integrated Wellness, we specialize in functional medicine.  It takes a much more comprehensive approach to thyroid gland health and thyroid hormone levels. There is so much more to thyroid health than normal T4 and TSH levels.  If you are looking for a functional medicine doctor in Aurora, Frankfort, Wheaton or Geneva, please contact us today!

CONTACT

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