According to the National Women’s Health Information Center, 1 in 8 women will experience thyroid symptoms and a thyroid disorder during their lifetime. The reason why this fact may surprise you is because you’ve probably never heard it explained to you…that’s because most doctors are only vaguely familiar with thyroid symptoms and thyroid disorders.
Thyroid Symptoms and Solutions
10 to 1 you know someone who has a thyroid problem! Thyroid problems are often misdiagnosed and mis-treated…and women are often affected the most.
Has your doctor told you?
- Your Blood work is normal, there is nothing wrong with you.
- You’re just tired.
- You’re just anxious or stresses.
- You need some medications to help you relax.
- You need to eat better.
- You need to exercise more.
- It’s all in your head.
Have you heard all or some of these comments and yet you still feel tired, achy, cold, depressed and mentally sluggish – thyroid symptoms. I can’t tell you how many people have been told…”go home, get some rest, your blood work looks normal, you are probably just over worked.”
Or even worse, you are put on thyroid hormone replacement and you still have all the thyroid symptoms of hypothyroidism but your lab tests show that your thyroid levels are good. And worst of all it’s difficult to get anyone to listen to you. So now what do you do?
DID YOU KNOW? Studies indicate that well over 50% (close to 80%) of all the people with hypothyroidism don’t actually have Primary Hypothyroidism (the condition they are being treated for) but a condition called HASHIMOTO’S.
This is an autoimmune condition (your immune system attacks and wants to destroy your thyroid gland). The Medical treatment for Hashimoto’s (if it’s even acknowledged) is simply to ignore the underlying immune problem, put you on thyroid hormone, and try to manage your TSH level.
In my opinion, this is a short sighted treatment approach. Too many people still have ongoing thyroid symptoms in spite of normal TSH levels. Why? Because the underlying immune problem is not being addressed.
There is no method in traditional medicine today that addresses Hashimoto’s other than hormone replacement. We have many options for balancing and soothing a frazzled immune system. Getting to the core problem and giving you options to manage your thyroid problem gives you… a better life!
Here are some common hypothyroid symptoms:
- Feeling tired
- Foggy thinking
- Fatigue
- Being cold all the time – hand, feet…all over
- Can’t lose weight even with diet and exercise
- Require excessive amounts of sleep and still don’t feel refreshed
- Low body temperature
- Gain weight easily
- Loss of interest in sex
- Hair loss
- Difficult, infrequent bowel movements
- Depression, lack of motivation
- Morning headaches that wear off as the day progresses
- Loss of outer third of eyebrows
- Thinning hair on scalp, face or genitals
- Dry skin and/or scalp
Hyperthyroid Symptoms may include:
- Nervousness and emotional
- Insomnia
- Racing thoughts
- Anxiety
- Night sweats
It doesn’t have to be that way!
I have found that most people have only two tests done (TSH and T4) to determine if they have a thyroid problem. While these tests may offer a simple screening for thyroid function they don’t offer the complete picture!
Did you know there are well over 20+ ways that your thyroid can go bad, including Hashimoto’s? And, only two of those ways will respond to typical replacement therapy.
Not everyone fits into the replacement model of treatment. Modern approaches allow us to dial in to your specific needs. You need a 21st century model that takes everything into consideration.
Why not treat everything to get the best possible results? Treat the immune system if need be, treat the thyroid, treat the nervous system–basically help all of you get better at once. That is what we do.
Don’t continue feeling frustrated. We will listen to your concerns and chart a course to get you back on track. Comprehensive blood work and functional analysis will help us determine the shortest path to getting you better.
Your initial visit will include:
- A thorough case history where Dr. Balcavage will listen…really listen to your concerns, goals and dreams for a better future. It’s important that he understands who you are and what you hope to gain from this program.
- A fresh look at all of your most recent lab work using a functional method of analysis. This process helps determine the type of further testing that would best suit you. Most people need to have the gaps in testing filled in before Dr. Balcavage can recommend a proper course of action.
- A functional neurological evaluation, if needed. Many long term thyroid sufferers experience cognitive issues, weakness and other physical changes. It is important that we understand your state-of-health at the onset of care. This provides us with a good benchmark to measure progress.
- Dr. Balcavage’s special analysis and expertise in putting together all of the pieces of the puzzle for you. Isn’t it time that we unravel the mystery behind why you are feeling so poorly?
- A written recommendation for care
OUT-OF-STATE? (or traveling a long distance?) Not a problem. We can easily manage your case by phone and email. Test requisitions, kits, follow-up questionnaires and supplements can all be conveniently mailed directly to your home. We have even video conferenced using Skype.
We encourage you to bring your spouse or loved one/care taker to your Discovery Visits. We cover many important points that two people can remember better. At times a close family member will offer additional information that can clarify some of Dr. Balcavage’s questions.