Thyroid issues are a common health problem for many Americans. As The American Thyroid Association reports, over half of the patients with thyroid issues aren’t aware of their condition. Thyroid hormone imbalance is accompanied by undistinguished symptoms such as moodiness, fatigue, and excess weight which can be the symptoms of a number of other disorders. People tend to ignore treating those symptoms as they are similar to stress or aging signs.
The thyroid hormones control brain functioning, body metabolism, and endurance. Keeping them well-balanced is crucial for our health and overall well-being. Bioidentical thyroid hormone replacement therapy is an efficient method to restore thyroid hormones for patients with an underactive thyroid. This article discusses how BTHRT helps to keep thyroid hormones at their optimal levels.
Thyroid hormones
Thyroid hormones are produced in the thyroid gland that sits low on the front of the neck. The thyroid gland is about two inches long, and its surface is covered with special cells that take in iodine. Iodine is a chemical required for thyroid hormone production.
Thyroid hormones are Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3). The thyroid gland produces more T4 (80%) and it has a longer half-life. Blood spreads T4 through the body to different organs where the hormone is synthesized into T3. T3 controls body functions from brain development to digestive function and heartbeat.
The thyroid gland is regulated by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. These two brain parts maintain thyroid hormone levels and release stimulating hormones to make the thyroid gland work. So, when thyroid hormones are low, the hypothalamus releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) which stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). When TSH reaches the thyroid gland, thyroid hormone levels increase.
What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid is a medical condition that occurs when the thyroid gland can’t produce enough hormones. Patients with hypothyroidism experience such symptoms as:
- increased fatigue,
- troubles thinking straight,
- muscle pain and weakness,
- weight gain,
- digestion issues,
- cold intolerance.
Hypothyroidism can develop in people who receive little iodine from food or suffer from thyroid, hypothalamus, or pituitary dysfunction. Low thyroid hormone levels are hard to diagnose as many people confuse its symptoms with psychological issues or aging and cope with it without medical assistance. Ignoring thyroid hormone deficiency can lead to severe conditions such as myxedema or goiter. The first one is shown up with skin swelling, and the second one – is a swollen thyroid gland.
Bioidentical thyroid hormone replacement treatment is used to maintain the required levels of thyroid hormones for patients with thyroid gland issues.
Bioidentical hormones: restoring thyroid hormone levels
Traditional medicine offers to treat underactive thyroid with medications based only on synthetic T4 (levothyroxine). When diagnosing hypothyroidism, therapists check the pituitary gland for secreting TSH and the thyroid gland for secreting T4. However, optimal levels of T4 and TSH don’t usually testify to adequate thyroid functioning. For example, most T4 can be bound with proteins which prevent them from connecting with thyroid hormone receptors. Moreover, some patients may have trouble converting T4 into T3, so underactive thyroid symptoms can occur even if there’s enough T4 in the blood. Efficient hormone replacement therapy should provide drugs containing both T4 and T3 thyroid hormones.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy provides patients with personally adjusted medications to combat hypothyroidism. Therapists, who use bioidentical thyroid hormone replacement therapy, prescribe medications that contain T4, T3, and TSH bioidentical hormones in proportions that suit patients’ needs. Firstly, an experienced therapist will check your T4, T3, and TSH levels, and learn your medical history and symptoms to define your needs. Then, you’ll receive your treatment plan, thyroid hormone prescription, and dietary and lifestyle advice to help you achieve your goals efficiently.
Bioidentical thyroid hormone treatment can help patients who go through rehabilitation after thyroid radioactive treatment or thyroid removal. If you have thyroid cancer or you’re in remission, it would be better that you consult your physician and receive approval to take bioidentical thyroid medication.
Start your BTHRT
The underactive thyroid gland can gradually develop throughout a lifetime. This medical condition, if not diagnosed in time, can lead to severe health issues including cardiovascular disorders, overweight, myxedema, and goiter. Hypothyroidism treatment should be personalized, because T4, T3, and TSH levels differ from person to person. Unlike traditional medicine, bioidentical thyroid hormone replacement therapy supposes that medications are adjusted individually for each patient, which helps them balance their thyroid hormones properly. If you want to know more about bioidentical thyroid hormone treatment, contact us, and our professionals will provide a detailed consultation.
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