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The thyroid gland sits just below the Adam’s apple, in the front of your neck. It is an important gland that regulates metabolism and affects the body in dramatic ways including heart rate, skin and hair growth and texture, body weight, bowel movements, menstruation, fertility and nervous system stimulation.
Thyroid function is often overlooked in the mainstream medical examination because it may not fall outside the lab ranges. However, many women experience uncomfortable symptoms even when their numbers are on the edges of “normal”. Naturopathic Medicine can help you achieve optimal thyroid function.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism:
- Cold intolerance/feeling cold all the time
- Dry skin
- Brittle nails
- Thinning hair
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Low libido
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Inability to lose weight
- Depression
- Poor memory
- Infertility
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism:
- Feeling hot and flushed easily
- Heart palpitations
- Lose weight quickly/easily
- Increased hunger
- Increased nail and hair growth
- Easily anxious
- Tremor/shaky hands
- Hypoglycemia
- Infertility
Assessing thyroid health:
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): TSH is secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate the function of the thyroid. This is typically the first and often only thyroid test that is done a routine physical examination. Further testing is often only done if there is a problem with your TSH levels. The value of TSH is inversely related to thyroid function – high levels indicate a hypoactive (low) thyroid and low values indicated a hyperactive (high) thyroid.
FREE T4 (THYROXINE): T4 is the primary form of thyroid hormone found in the bloodstream. It is produced by the thyroid when it is stimulated by TSH
FREE T3 (TRIIODOTHYRONINE): T3 is produced from T4 in the body and actively influences the function of cells and tissues in the body.
REVERSE T3: rT3 is produced by the body during states of high stress or mineral deficiencies. It indicates a hypoactive thyroid.
Please contact the clinic at 416.738.6757 for further information or to book an appointment.
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