11/30/2022 0 Comments Thyroid issuesZinc is required for the synthesis of thyroid hormone, and deficiency of zinc has been shown to result in hypothyroidism ( 6). Thyroid hormone is rich in iodine, and deficiency of iodine can cause both hypothyroidism and goiter (a swelling of the thyroid gland) ( 5). Iodine is a crucial nutrient for thyroid function. The two major causes of thyroid disorders are nutrient deficiency and autoimmune disease. The Underlying Causes of Thyroid Disorders #THYROID ISSUES FREE#I always order a combination of thyroid markers, including TSH, T3, T4, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies. However, this misses critical information you need about your patient’s thyroid metabolism. Many conventionally trained clinicians will simply run a TSH test and call it a day. Sometimes addressing the underlying cause of the thyroid problem is enough to resolve it without resorting to thyroid hormone replacement. Although a prescription for thyroid hormone replacement is sometimes necessary, the first step should always be to determine why the thyroid is malfunctioning in the first place. In functional medicine, we focus on addressing the underlying cause of disease so that patients can get well and stay well without unnecessary drugs or surgery. It is incorrect (and even negligent) to assume that all cases of hypothyroidism share the same cause and require the same treatment, yet that is exactly what the standard of care for hypothyroidism delivers.Ĭonventional medicine is almost exclusively oriented toward “disease management”: using drugs or surgery to suppress symptoms. A malfunction in any of these steps can cause hypothyroid symptoms but may not show up on standard lab tests. The production, conversion, and uptake of thyroid hormone in the body involve several steps ( 4). The problem with this approach is that thyroid physiology is complex. Even worse, if she has hypothyroid symptoms but her lab tests are normal, she’ll be told that she’s “fine.” If the patient insists that she’s not “fine,” she might be sent home with an antidepressant, but with no further clue about the cause of her symptoms. If a person visits a doctor with hypothyroid symptoms, she will simply be given replacement hormones without any further inquiry into the cause of her condition. Unfortunately, misdiagnosis is common in the management of thyroid disorders. If the diagnosis isn’t correct, the treatment will be ineffective-or even cause harm. In medicine, the key to choosing the best treatment is an accurate diagnosis. The Conventional Medical Approach to Thyroid Disorders Thyroid hormone directly acts on the brain, the GI tract, the cardiovascular system, bone metabolism, red blood cell metabolism, gallbladder and liver function, steroid hormone production, glucose metabolism, lipid and cholesterol metabolism, protein metabolism, and body temperature regulation ( 3). It is responsible for the most basic aspects of our body’s function, impacting all major systems. What’s so Important about the Thyroid, Anyway?Įvery cell in the body has receptors for thyroid hormone. Strategies for Improving Thyroid Function.The Underlying Causes of Thyroid Disorders.The Conventional Medical Approach to Thyroid Disorders.What’s so Important about the Thyroid, Anyway?.
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