Menstrual irregularities, mood swings, joint pain, extreme fatigue, constipation, hair loss; these are just a few of the many symptoms which are often associated with Hypothyroidism or hormone imbalance.
“Hypothyroidism is becoming one of the country’s most undiagnosed medical conditions and because many of the symptoms mirror that of other diseases or conditions, often people may be unaware that they are suffering from this often deliberating condition” says Kelly Nolan, Clinic Director of Avita Integrative Health and Restoration Clinic in Brampton.
Hypothyroidism can be described as low-functioning thyroid where the output of healthy hormones is reduced which can affect the body’s metabolic functions including weight, growth and development, regulation of body temperature and heart beat and even our bone health. Some of the more common causes of hypothyroidism may include the use of birth control pills, pharmaceutical drugs, fluoride in drinking water and even aging.
What are some of the leading symptoms of Hypothyroidism?
Weight gain is not the only symptom. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism can include lethargy, extreme fatigue, brittle nails, thinning hair or hair loss, dry hair or skin, joint pain, muscle weakness or cramps, intolerance to cold, irregular or slow heartbeat, constipation, elevated cholesterol, a hoarse voice, worsened hearing and even weight loss.
“The TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) blood test that your doctor may request is just basic testing that is insufficient in providing a patient with a full snapshot of every aspect of thyroid function,” says Kelly Nolan, Clinic Director and Pharmacist of Avita Integrative Health and Restoration Clinic in Brampton. “Getting a full thyroid test panel which includes TSH, T3, T4 and thyroid antibodies is the best way to understand your current health. The Iodine/Bromine Test is like a snapshot of your thyroid health as it monitors your iodine intake and absorption to help determine an appropriate line of therapy to balance thyroid function. It is also important to recognize that as other hormone levels change due to stress or deficiencies, the thyroid hormone levels may change a well. Doing a Saliva Hormone test to check levels of cortisol, progesterone, estrogen, testosterone and DHEA is essential.”
The health team at Avita Integrative Health are able to get the full picture of thyroid health by completion of the Urinary Thyroid Test, Urine Iodine/Bromine test, vitamin D test to be able to customize an integrative healing program using the natural compounded desiccated thyroid, balancing herbal therapy and/or bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Customized BHRT treatments can be determined using the results of the Saliva Hormone test which are highly recommended for all hormonal concerns.