If you’re suffering from hypothyroidism fatigue, thyroid hormone therapy can provide a natural hormone balancing solution.
What is the Thyroid Gland?
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located at the front of the neck. It consists of two lobes located on both sides of the windpipe (trachea). A normal thyroid gland is not usually visible to the eye nor able to be felt by touch.
The thyroid gland absorbs iodine from food to produce hormones that regulate metabolism and digestive functions, brain development and bone maintenance. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain send chemical messages to the thyroid such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH instructs the thyroid on how many hormones to produce.
Due to its role in regulating metabolism, the thyroid breaks down fat and promotes weight loss. Thyroid hormones control how fast carbohydrates and fat are burned which helps regulate body temperature. Thyroid hormones also lower cholesterol and protect against cardiovascular disease. They influence cerebral metabolism, prevent cognitive impairment and nourish thin, sparse hair, dry skin and thin nails.
Types of Thyroid Gland Hormones
The thyroid gland produces 20% T3 and 80% T4.
- Thyroxine (T4): Inactive prohormone that liver and kidneys convert to T4.
- Triiodothyronine (T3). Active hormone that regulates metabolic rate, heart and digestive functions, muscle control, brain development and function, and bone maintenance.
- Calcitonin: Active hormone that regulates calcium and phosphate in the blood. Calcitonin helps maintain bone health.
Causes of Hypothyroidism
If the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough T3, then hypothyroidism can develop. Hypothyroidism is a disease caused by autoimmune conditions, poor iodine intake or drug side effects. T3 and T4 are essential for physical and mental development. Untreated hypothyroidism during childhood can cause mental impairment and reduced growth.
Hypothyroidism in adults causes a weak metabolism. Symptoms can include fatigue, intolerance to cold temperatures, low heart rate, weight gain, reduced appetite, poor memory, depression, stiff muscles and reduced fertility.
According to Your Hormones, “Hypothyroidism is common. It affects women more frequently than men and usually around middle-age. Hypothyroidism affects approximately 1 in 1,000 men and 18 in 1,000 women.
How Does Thyroid Hormone Therapy Work?
Thyroid hormone therapy uses natural hormones to raise abnormally low levels T3 and T4. The hormones can be delivered in pill form and the most commonly prescribed is pure thyroxine T4. According to Endocrine Web, “The benefit of taking only T4 therapy is that you’re allowing your body to perform some of the actions it is meant to do, which is taking T4 and changing it into T3. The half-life of T4 is also longer compared to T3 (7 days versus 24 hours), that means that it will stay for a longer time in your body after ingestion.”
Providers often use blood test results to determine how much T4 will balance out an individual’s hormone levels. The blood results also reveal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels released by the pituitary gland. Increased levels of TSH may indicate an underactive thyroid or that therapy levels need to be increased. Hypothyroidism can be a progressive disease and therefore dosage may need to increase over time.
Hopkins Medicine states: “To make sure that thyroid hormone replacement works properly, consider the following recommendations:
- Maintain regular visits to your healthcare provider.
- Take your thyroid medicine at least 1 hour before breakfast and any calcium or iron medicines you may take. Or take at bedtime, or at least 3 hours after eating or taking any calcium or iron medicines.
- Tell your healthcare provider of your thyroid hormone treatment before beginning treatment for any other disease. Some treatments for other conditions or diseases can affect the dosage of thyroid hormone therapy.
- Let your healthcare provider know if you become pregnant.
- Tell your healthcare provider of any new symptoms that may arise.
- Tell all healthcare providers of your thyroid condition and medicine dosage.”
5 Health Benefits of Thyroid Hormone Therapy
According to the Thyroid Association of America, “The goal of thyroid hormone treatment is to closely replicate normal thyroid functioning. Pure, synthetic thyroxine (T4) works in the same way as a patient’s own thyroid hormone would. Thyroid hormone is necessary for the health of all the cells in the body. Therefore, taking thyroid hormone is different from taking other medications, because its job is to replace a hormone that is missing.”
By balancing out T4 levels, thyroid hormone therapy can restore metabolism and digestive functions leading to more energy, focus and productivity.
- Increase energy, body temperature, and warmth
- Balance temperature, metabolism, and cerebral function
- Increase fat breakdown resulting in weight loss and lower cholesterol
- Reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment
- Increase hair, skin, and nail health
Contact Natural Bio Health Today
Since 1999, Natural Bio Health has helped thousands of people regain their quality of life, prevent disease and maintain a strong immune system for optimal health. Through a careful review of health history, genetics and lifestyle, our providers are able to create individualized wellness plans to address the root-cause of your underlying health concerns.
Whether your personal struggles are with hormone imbalance, weight, sleep, energy, libido, migraines or depression, Natural Bio Health is committed to help you restore your quality of life and achieve optimal mental and physical health.
Contact Natural Bio Health to learn more about hormone replacement therapy for men and women.