Your thyroid is a small gland that is located in the front of your neck. It regulates your metabolism through the conversion of iodine. Thyroid levels that are either too high or too low may indicate an underlying condition.
Ranges for Thyroid Levels
Hyperthyroidism is often due to an over stimulated thyroid and is characterized by the excessive production of one of two hormones, thyroxine (T4) or triiodothyronine (T3). By contrast, hypothyroidism, which is the most common thyroid issue, is marked by the under production of T4 or T3. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, or TSH, is secreted by the pituitary gland and is responsible for regulating the production of T3 and T4 within the thyroid gland.
Diagnostic Tests
We use a very simple, yet results-driven approach that seeks to remove the underlying causes for each individual’s musculoskeletal dysfunction, dis-ease process, and/or pain and inflammation. Sophisticated tools for diagnostic testing are utilized to identify an individual’s underlying causes of dis-ease – which will be different for each person/individual. The testing is very thorough and specific.
Causes of Hypothyroidism
There are two main causes of hypothyroidism. The first is simply inflammation of the thyroid gland, which damages or incapacitates thyroid cells, rendering them unable to produce thyroid hormone. The most common cause of glandular failure is autoimmune thyroiditis, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
The second chief cause of hypothyroidism relates to medical procedures in which all or part of the thyroid has been removed, as is often the case with thyroid cancer. In some instances, the pituitary gland does not produce adequate amounts of TSH, which is needed to signal the thyroid to produce the necessary hormones. Alternatively, if too much TSH is released, the thyroid gland can become enlarged and form a goiter.
What to Ask Your Doctor
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include
• Sluggish metabolism
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Overall weakness
Hair loss
• Muscular aches and cramps
• Joint pain
• Constipation
• Overly dry skin and hair
• Depression
• Irritability
• Memory loss
• Decreased libido
Proper hormone balancing is vital for proper physiology to occur: this includes but is not limited to thyroid hormones, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone, insulin, glucagon, etc.Optimal (thyroid) hormone balancing is necessary for the proper ‘activation’ for muscle function. If there is not proper oxygen, balanced blood sugar, nervous system stimulation, orbalanced (thyroid) hormones, then the musculoskeletal system will not function optimally.
