Thyroid Health

Thyroid Health

The Thyroid is one of your body’s largest endocrine glands that influences everything from metabolism, body temperature, and weight to physical development. That is why either too much or too little hormonal secretion can significantly throw off your overall health and well-being. If you suffer from a thyroid disorder (as 10-40% of Americans do), the Institute is here to optimize your health! The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located along the lower, frontal portion of the neck. This gland produces important hormones that ultimately play key roles in a healthy body by traveling through the brain, muscles, and various organs. Disease, trauma to the thyroid, prescription medications, and the normal aging process can all disrupt thyroid hormone production. Identifying issues of the thyroid gland can be difficult, mainly because the symptoms are often vague or merge with other common disorders.Hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone production) and hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone production) are two of the most commonly diagnosed disorders of the thyroid gland. Symptoms of Hypothyroidism include fatigue and weakness, weight gain or difficulty losing weight, dry hair and skin, hair loss, sensitivity to cold, muscle cramps and aches, constipation, depression, memory loss, and abnormal menstrual cycles. Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism include weight loss, nervousness, irritability, increased perspiration, racing heart, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, increased bowel movements, fine brittle hair, and muscular weakness. At the Institute, our first step is to identify the root cause(s) of your thyroid disorder and to perform routine blood work to determine the function of your thyroid gland. If your thyroid is not operating optimally, our treatment plan includes oral medication as well as adding iodine-rich foods to your diet, minimizing stress levels, limiting your exposure to known toxins, getting plenty of sleep, and exercising regularly. If you have any questions, please call 954-802-9835.