The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck that stimulates the brain to produce hormones (T4). The T4 then converts to the active form of thyroid hormone (T3). Active thyroid hormone (T3) is responsible for temperature regulation, metabolism, brain function, energy, and many other functions. There are over 200 symptoms that can be related to thyroid deficiency (or insufficiency), including weakness, cold, fatigue, constipation, loss of energy/motivation, loss of memory/clear thinking, weight gain (inability to lose weight), and a poor sense of well-being. Frequently, when a person has thyroid testing, they are told it’s “normal” even though symptoms of low thyroid are present. The most common way to test for thyroid function is to look only at TSH (a hormone produced by the brain to stimulate the thyroid) and T4 (the inactive thyroid hormone). By testing then optimizing the active form of thyroid hormone (T3), women experience the benefit of thyroid hormone through improved symptoms. Optimized Thyroid (T3) Hormone levels can:

• Increase fat breakdown
• Strengthen hair/skin/nails
• Improve temperature regulation
• Clear foggy thinking
• Increase energy
• Improve ability to lose weight
• Improve digestion
• Improve mood and overall sense of well being
• Decrease joint pain

 

Hashimoto’s Defined

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a form of hypothyroidism that is autoimmune in nature. As the result of particular trigger(s), your immune system produces antibodies that attack your thyroid. This immune attack on the thyroid causes a decline in thyroid function. Since the thyroid plays a role in over 300 functions in the body and we have thyroid receptor cells on every single cell in the body, this most often results in a multitude of symptoms and imbalances (poor digestion, nutrient insufficiencies, weight gain, and the inability to lose weight) that can affect your brain (mood, energy, cognitive function), your GI tract (acid reflux, pain, diarrhea, constipation), your skin (rashes, eczema), and your joints (pain, inflammation).