Hypothyroidism
How to treat hypothyroidism naturally.
Looking for a hypothyroidism specialist in Indiana? This page covers:
Understanding your thyroid condition
What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, can significantly slow down the body’s metabolism. This often leads to noticeable symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, hair loss, and issues with digestion and reproduction. Interestingly, hypothyroidism is up to 9 times more prevalent in women compared to men.
Hypothyroidism
A closer look.
Feeling frustrated and confused about your hypothyroidism diagnosis? You’re not alone. Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation known as thyroiditis. However, research shows there are several other potential causes and contributing factors that can increase your risk of hypothyroidism.
That’s why our practitioner takes a personalized, holistic approach to help you get a clear understanding of your unique health profile and provide tailored treatment for managing your hypothyroidism symptoms. We’re here to support you on your journey to better health.
Types of hypothyroidism.
The progression of hypothyroidism can vary greatly from person to person. Some individuals experience severe symptoms, while others notice only minor changes. Depending on the stage of the condition, hypothyroidism can be categorized into three types: subclinical, primary, and secondary. This progressive thyroid disorder affects people in different ways, with a wide range of possible symptoms.
Subclinical hypothyroidism.
Many people with hypothyroid symptoms are often told their test results are ‘normal’, even though they are actually experiencing subclinical hypothyroidism. In conventional medicine, subclinical hypothyroidism refers to someone who has confirmed hypothyroid lab results, but no outward clinical symptoms of the condition. However, subclinical hypothyroidism will frequently progress to full-blown primary hypothyroidism if it goes untreated.
Primary hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism can stem from issues within the thyroid gland itself. The most common culprit is an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which interferes with the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones. Other causes include insufficient nutrients needed to make those hormones, as well as problems with thyroid hormone receptors or the hormone synthesis process.
Secondary hypothyroidism.
Typically, hypothyroidism is caused by the thyroid gland not receiving enough stimulation or by the pituitary gland failing to produce enough thyroid-stimulating hormone. In some rare cases, secondary hypothyroidism may occur when the hypothalamus does not produce enough thyrotropin-releasing hormone.
Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as dry hair, hoarse voice, and weight gain, are common and can have other causes. However, if you’re experiencing a combination of these symptoms, like fatigue, depression, and cold intolerance, it may be a sign of an underactive thyroid.
Some key symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Dry, coarse hair and hair loss
- Hoarse voice
- Loss of eyebrow hair
- Puffy face
- Enlarged thyroid (goiter)
- Slow heartbeat
- Constipation
- Rapid weight gain (especially around the abdomen)
- Bloating and fluid retention
- Difficulty losing weight
- Brittle nails
- Arthritis and body aches
- Cold sensitivity and intolerance
- Dry skin
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
- Infertility and miscarriage
- Heavy periods
If you’re experiencing a combination of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor, as it could be a sign of an underactive thyroid that requires treatment.
What causes hypothyroidism?
As we discussed earlier, the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States is Hashimoto’s disease. This autoimmune disorder prompts the immune system to attack the thyroid gland, leading to thyroiditis – swelling and inflammation that destroys the thyroid cells. This, in turn, results in a lack of thyroid hormones. Importantly, Hashimoto’s can extensively damage the thyroid before any symptoms appear or a diagnosis is made.
Other common causes of hypothyroidism include:
- Genetic disorders
- Other autoimmune conditions
- Iodine deficiency
- Congenital hyperthyroidism
- Radiation exposure from x-rays or radiotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Surgery and medication for treating hyperthyroidism
- Postpartum thyroid disorder
- Menopause
- Compromised gut health and leaky gut (intestinal hyperpermeability)
- Adrenal dysfunction
While stress does not directly cause hypothyroidism, ongoing, chronic stress can contribute to high cortisol levels and disrupt thyroid hormone production. Additionally, people experiencing high or unrelenting stress and lack of sleep are more likely to develop inflammation and digestive health issues – all of which are commonly associated with hypothyroidism.
Natural vs conventional treatments for hypothyroidism.
The standard approach of thyroid testing, which focuses solely on TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels, often produces misleading “normal” results. The problem is that these “normal” classifications are based on outdated reference ranges and basic testing methods that fail to consider other important markers.
Our practitioner sees many patients struggling with the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism, yet their doctors have assured them their thyroid test results are normal. If these patients are trying to lose weight, they’re often just told to exercise more or eat less, and sent on their way.
Of course, losing weight with hypothyroidism isn’t that simple – it requires help to first restore proper thyroid function.
When people do receive a hypothyroidism diagnosis, the conventional medical approach is to treat it with medication.
Conventional treatments.
Other doctors recommend that people diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism receive lifelong treatment with synthetic thyroid hormones like levothyroxine or thyroxine. These daily tablets help maintain proper thyroid levels, which are monitored over time to adjust the dosage as needed. However, it’s important to note that this medication doesn’t heal the damaged thyroid gland – it simply replaces the deficient hormone production with synthetic alternatives.
The situation is a bit different for those with subclinical hypothyroidism. Some healthcare providers may initially opt to hold off on medication if the thyroid levels don’t seem to warrant immediate intervention. The problem with this “wait and see” approach is that subclinical hypothyroidism often progresses into full-blown clinical hypothyroidism if no other supportive measures, like lifestyle or dietary changes, are introduced to help the thyroid function.
The BionwoRx functional medicine approach.
Natural treatments for hypothyroidism.
At our practice, we empathize with the frustration and uncertainty that often accompanies a hypothyroidism diagnosis. That’s why we make it a priority to first help our patients find the answers they need. Once a diagnosis is made and we have a clearer understanding of each individual’s health profile, our practitioners can then provide personalized support to address hypothyroid symptoms.
Many patients come to BionwoRx hoping to avoid or stop taking medication and surgery. Our practitioner takes a more holistic, proactive, and preventative approach to managing hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease.
Our practitioner can support your journey with hyperthyroid recovery in several ways, including:
Full thyroid panel.
Our functional medicine practitioner can order a comprehensive thyroid panel for you, including tests for TSH, total T4, T3 uptake, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, and thyroid antibody levels. This detailed thyroid pathology testing will provide a thorough assessment of your thyroid health.
Optimal levels:
Our practitioner bases her assessment of thyroid function on optimal reference ranges, rather than relying on outdated “normal” levels that have been shown to be inaccurate for diagnosing early-stage thyroid issues. We also frequently check additional markers like CRP (for inflammation), sex hormones, and nutrient levels to get a more complete picture.
Education.
Our practitioner empowers you to take charge of your health. She prioritizes providing you with personalized information and education, so you can make well-informed decisions about your care.
Food sensitivities:
Our experienced practitioner thoroughly investigates to detect or rule out any underlying food sensitivities that may be causing inflammation and contributing to thyroid disorders. By identifying these issues, we can help address the root causes and support your overall health.
Balance hormones:
If you have hypothyroidism, you may notice elevated liver enzymes and impaired liver function. This is commonly linked to hormonal imbalances and issues with detoxifying hormones. Our knowledgeable practitioner can evaluate your levels and work with you to regain balance through personalized plans involving nutrition, herbal remedies, and lifestyle adjustments.
Optimize nutrition:
Fatigue from hypothyroidism can make it tough to focus on healthy eating and meal prep. As a result, many with an underactive thyroid turn to convenient, processed foods loaded with carbs, sugars, and other inflammatory ingredients that worsen their symptoms. But our nutrition coach is here to help. They can provide you with simple, healthy recipes featuring nutrient-dense foods and limiting potential inflammation triggers like gluten, dairy, and sugar.
Supplement vitamin and mineral deficiencies:
People with hypothyroidism often have lower levels of key vitamins and minerals that support thyroid function. These include:
- Iodine: Found in sea vegetables like nori, dulse, kombu, arame, and kelp, iodine is essential for producing thyroid hormones.
- Selenium: Needed to convert T4 to T3, selenium can be found in brazil nuts, liver, onions, garlic, broccoli, eggs, and herrings. Brazil nuts are an especially nutrient-dense source – just 2-4 per day can meet minimum requirements, though supplementation may be necessary for therapeutic levels.
- Zinc: Zinc deficiency can cause hypothyroidism, and sufficient thyroid hormones are needed to absorb zinc. So zinc is a critical nutrient for thyroid health.
- Vitamin A: Low levels of Vitamin A can block activation of T3. Good sources include grass-fed liver, tuna, sweet potatoes, and carrots (for the precursor beta-carotene).
- Vitamin C: Together with Vitamin B2, Vitamin C helps the body absorb iodine, supporting T4 production.
- Vitamin D: Regular sun exposure increases Vitamin D levels, which support genetic pathways and hormone receptors. Supplements may be needed to boost levels.
Address other underlying triggers:
Rarely is hypothyroidism the only issue for people dealing with an underactive thyroid. Usually, there are underlying imbalances or illnesses that contribute to the thyroid’s sluggish performance. And that under-performing thyroid function often exacerbates or leads to further regulatory problems elsewhere in the body.
Our practitioner will work closely with you to assess and optimize the health of several key areas:
- Liver: The liver, along with the gallbladder and kidneys, is responsible for removing toxins and hormones. Poor thyroid function can impair their performance, which can cause toxin overload or conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
- Adrenals: People with hypothyroid disorder often have high cortisol levels, produced in response to stress as the body tries to deliver more energy to the cells. This can lead to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction and adrenal fatigue.
- Gut health: Thyroid hormones are involved in digestion, and low levels can impair intestinal function, leading to nutrient malabsorption, inflammation, and increased intestinal permeability.
- Pain: Chronic pain can suppress an essential liver enzyme that converts 80% of our T4 stores into T3. Our practitioners can provide functional medicine therapies to reduce inflammation and pain if this is an issue for you.
These are just some of the ways our practitioner can support people with hypothyroidism and underactive thyroid at BionwoRx. The approach for you may differ depending on your individual findings. Self-diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism are not recommended due to the serious nature of long-term thyroid damage.
FAQs.
What is hypothyroidism?
The term “hypothyroidism” refers to an underactive thyroid gland that doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. This hormonal deficiency slows down the body’s metabolic processes, resulting in symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, hair loss, and issues with digestion and reproductive health.
Hypothyroidism vs hyperthyroidism – what’s the difference?
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is the opposite of hyperthyroidism, which is an overactive thyroid.
If you have an underactive thyroid, you may experience symptoms like weight gain, brain fog, fatigue, constipation, and sensitivity to the cold.
On the other hand, an overactive thyroid can cause rapid heart rate or palpitations, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and intolerance to heat.
Is hypothyroidism an autoimmune disease?
The most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States is Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that prompts the immune system to attack the thyroid gland, leading to a condition called thyroiditis.