Thyroid Balance

As you think about finding balance in your body, your thyroid gland might not be the first thing that comes to mind; however, your thyroid gland significantly affects your overall wellness. If you’ve been feeling unusually tired, have been gaining weight even though you’ve been maintaining healthy food choices and exercise habits, or find yourself feeling more nervous and irritable than you have in the past, your thyroid may be the culprit. Thankfully, there are a variety of natural thyroid treatments options available for treating thyroid imbalance issues. 

Thyroid issues are one of the most commonly diagnosed medical conditions in the country — in fact, the American Thyroid Association (ATA) estimates about 20 million Americans have some type of thyroid disease — but the ATA also estimates that up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition. The reality is that many people attribute their most troubling symptoms to non-thyroid causes like getting older, going through menopause or simply feeling depressed — and as a result, suffer unnecessarily instead of getting appropriate treatment. Nava's Thyroid Balance is available throughout Maryland and DC, including locations in Columbia, MD, Chevy Chase, MD, North Bethesda, MD, and Washington, DC.

The Thyroid

Located in the neck just below your Adam’s apple, the thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ. Typically weighing less than a single ounce, the thyroid gland plays a big role in the way our bodies function. The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, weight, energy, body temperature, bowel function, mood, and skin and hair growth.

The thyroid gland’s primary function is to absorb iodine and combine it with an amino acid to create thyroid hormones. When functioning normally, you can’t feel the thyroid under the skin; an enlarged thyroid that you can see or feel, called a goiter, may indicate underlying thyroid issues.

Thyroid issues can affect people of all ages and races. However, certain groups are at a higher risk for developing thyroid issues, including women, those over the age of 60, and those who suffer from autoimmune diseases, like type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Overactive Thyroid: Hyperthyroidism Symptoms

If your thyroid is overactive and produces more thyroid hormones than your body needs — a condition known as hyperthyroidism — you may experience a variety of symptoms, including:

• Weight loss
• Heart palpitations
• Stomach upset and diarrhea
• Sweating, oftentimes excessive
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Extreme hunger
• Insomnia
• Intolerance for heat

Nava uses comprehensive natural thyroid treatments treat these symptoms. Proper treatment will help to control hyperthyroidism symptoms and return much deserved quality of life.

Underactive Thyroid: Hypothyroidism Symptoms

On the other hand, if your thyroid is underactive and doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones, you may experience a completely different yet equally frustrating set of symptoms, including:

• Fatigue/extreme tiredness
• Sensitivity to cold
• Weight gain and/or difficulty losing weight
• Constipation
• Sadness/depression
• Dry hair/hair loss
• Weakness

As with hyperthyroidism, Nava’s natural hypothyroidism treatment can assist in mitigating these symptoms and returning you to good health.

Testing for Thyroid Issues

Most physicians rely on thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) testing to measure thyroid function. However, TSH tests only gauge the level of one aspect of thyroid health.  It is also important to measure the actual output of your thyroid gland -  T4, or thyroxine and T3, or triiodothyronine. Additionally, thyroid antibodies can be produced, causing an autoimmune attack on your thyroid resulting in symptoms of thyroid dysfunction.  For a more complete picture of your thyroid health, it is important to get additional testing.

A Holistic Approach to Thyroid Treatment

At Nava Health & Vitality Center, we go beyond traditional TSH testing, conducting a battery of thyroid tests designed to pinpoint potential thyroid issues. Our advanced data interpretation techniques help us to accurately assess your thyroid function and determine which therapies may lead to the best health outcomes. Depending on our findings, we may suggest approaching your thyroid imbalance issues through specially compounded prescription drugs and premium-grade nutraceuticals. Nutritional counseling may also help you explore how a hypothyroidism diet can impact your thyroid imbalance.

You don’t have to settle for feeling less than your best. With the right approach, you can alleviate thyroid imbalance issues and regain your energy and spark. Get in touch with one of our caring, professional Certified Wellness Consultants today to learn about Nava Center’s holistic approach to achieving thyroid balance and overall wellness.