How Can Functional Medicine Help My Chronic Thyroid Hormone Symptoms? from waqas's blog

Functional Medicine: A Pathway to Relief for Chronic Thyroid Symptoms

Hi there! I'm Dr. Ernesto Medina, and if you're reading this, chances are you're struggling with thyroid issues and looking for some answers. I know how frustrating and overwhelming it can be to deal with chronic thyroid symptoms. 

3.      Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: An autoimmune disorder where your immune system attacks your thyroid, often leading to hypothyroidism. Symptoms are similar to hypothyroidism, but you might also experience joint pain and swelling.

4.      Graves' Disease: Another autoimmune disorder, but in this case, your immune system makes your thyroid overactive, leading to hyperthyroidism. Besides hyperthyroidism symptoms, you might also notice bulging eyes and skin issues.

What most Endocrinologists fail to educate their patients on, is that around 90% of all Thyroid conditions are autoimmune in nature. This means, Thyroid medication may help balance your TSH and T4 levels but does absolutely nothing to manage the autoimmune condition. This often leads to years of fluctuating TSH levels and in turn fluctuations in your medication dosage. It also commonly leads to fluctuations in your symptoms as years progress. Only through a targeted and comprehensive functional medicine assessment can the autoimmune component of your Thyroid imbalances be addressed. Check out: Concussion help West Lake Austin

In functional medicine, we look at the whole person, not just the thyroid. We aim to uncover the root causes of thyroid dysfunction and address them with a personalized, holistic approach.

First things first, we dig deep into your health history and run advanced tests to get a complete picture. These might include:

·        Thyroid Function Tests: We check your TSH, T4 total, T3 total Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, T3 Uptake and thyroid antibodies.

·        Nutritional Assessments: We look for deficiencies in key nutrients like iodine, selenium, zinc, vitamin D, and B vitamins.

·        Adrenal Function Tests: Since adrenal health is closely linked to thyroid function, we might test your cortisol levels.

·        Gut Health Analysis: We consider the gut-thyroid connection and might evaluate your gut microbiome and intestinal permeability.

·        Autoimmune Panels: To see if autoimmune processes are at play.

We don’t just treat symptoms; we dig for the underlying issues. Common root causes include:

1.      Nutritional Deficiencies: Essential nutrients needed for thyroid hormone production and conversion might be missing.

2.      Chronic Stress: Stress impacts your adrenal glands, which can affect your thyroid.

3.      Gut Health: Poor gut health and leaky gut syndrome can contribute to autoimmune thyroid conditions.

4.      Toxin Exposure: Environmental toxins, like heavy metals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, can interfere with thyroid function.

5.      Chronic Infections: Infections like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) have been linked to thyroid disorders.

6.      Inflammation and Immune Dysregulation: Chronic inflammation can trigger or exacerbate autoimmune thyroid conditions.

Based on our comprehensive evaluation, we develop a personalized plan just for you. Here’s what that might include:

·        Dietary Changes:

o   Anti-inflammatory Diet: We focus on whole foods, healthy fats, lean proteins, and plenty of fruits and vegetables to reduce inflammation.

o   Elimination Diet: Identifying and removing food sensitivities that might be contributing to inflammation and immune dysregulation.

o   Nutrient-Rich Foods: Ensuring you get enough thyroid-supportive nutrients like iodine, selenium, and zinc.

·        Nutritional Supplements:

o   Vitamin D: Important for immune regulation and thyroid health.

Healing is a journey, not a destination. We’ll regularly check in, monitor your progress, and tweak your plan as needed to ensure you’re on the right path.

Success Stories: Real People, Real Results

Carrie’s Journey with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Carrie, a 30 year Nurse professional, had been struggling with fatigue, weight gain, Asthma and Vitiligo for years. Despite being on multiple medications, her symptoms persisted. Through functional medicine, we discovered she had severe inflammation and gut dysbiosis. Her treatment plan included dietary changes, targeted supplements, and gut healing protocols. Over time, Carrie’s symptoms improved significantly. She regained her energy, lost weight, her mood stabilized, and her skin began to clear. Hear her personal story in our testimonials section. Click here: Gut help West Lake Austin

Marcia’s Battle with Graves’ Disease

Marcia experienced rapid weight loss, anxiety, and palpitations. She was rushed to the emergency department where it was determined she was experiencing a Graves’ Disease Storm or flare up. She was referred to an Endocrinologist for medication support but was unable to be seen for another 2.5 months due to availability. Marcia wanted to take a more proactive approach to her health and found our office. Our functional medicine approach revealed an inflammatory, nutrient deficient diet with Diabetes Type 2 were key factors in her condition. Her personalized plan included personalized supplement recommendations, detoxification support, and major dietary modifications. Marcia’s symptoms gradually subsided, her Diabetes went into remission and she felt more in control of her health than ever before.

Why Consider Functional Medicine for Thyroid Health?

Functional medicine offers a comprehensive and integrative approach to thyroid 

I’m here to support you on your journey to better health. If you have any questions or are ready to take the first step, please feel free to reach out.