Thyroid problems can be difficult to manage. Patients often find they need to regularly change their approach and traditional medicine doesn’t always work. Functional medicine can provide a holistic treatment for thyroid problems and is an effective way of ensuring you manage your health. Let’s explore some of the most important thyroid problems before looking at how functional medicine may help.
Common Thyroid Problems
The British Thyroid Foundation supports people with a wide range of thyroid problems and whether you have a diagnosis of not, the symptoms can be hard to manage. Here are some of the most common thyroid problems people experience.
Hypothyroidism
This condition occurs when the thyroid gland produces insufficient amounts of thyroid hormones. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, depression, and dried out skin. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism results from the overproduction of thyroid hormones. Symptoms include weight loss, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, and heat intolerance. Graves’ disease, another autoimmune disorder, is the leading cause of hyperthyroidism.
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
This autoimmune condition leads to chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland, gradually limiting its ability to produce hormones. Symptoms often overlap with those of hypothyroidism and can include a visible goitre which is the medical term for an enlarged thyroid gland.
Graves’ Disease
Graves’ Disease is another disorder of the autoimmune system. It stimulates the thyroid to produce excessive hormones, leading to hyperthyroidism. It can also cause eye problems, known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy, and skin issues.
Functional Medicine: A Holistic Treatment for Thyroid Problems
Functional medicine offers a holistic treatment for thyroid problems. It offers a personalised approach to managing thyroid disorders. It manages and addresses the root causes rather than just alleviating symptoms. This approach integrates conventional medicine with alternative therapies to support overall health and well-being. Patients looking for a holistic treatment for thyroid problems can certainly consider functional medicine and the benefits it offers.
Key Principles of Functional Medicine for Thyroid Health
Finding a holistic treatment for thyroid problems can be life changing and help you to manage your condition better. Opting to visit a functional medicine doctor gives you access to the following benefits of this unique approach to medicine.
Comprehensive Diagnosis
Functional medicine practitioners conduct thorough assessments, including detailed medical history, lifestyle analysis, and advanced lab testing. This helps your doctor to identify underlying factors such as nutrient deficiencies, stress, infections, or environmental toxins that may contribute to thyroid dysfunction.
Individualised Treatment Plans
Once you have been through your assessment, your doctor will plan a fully individualised approach to your treatment. Your unique plan will incorporate all the elements necessary which may include dietary changes, nutritional supplements, stress management techniques, and lifestyle modifications to help improve your thyroid function and overall health.
Nutritional Support
Proper nutrition is critical for thyroid health. Functional medicine highlights the importance of a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients like iodine, selenium, zinc, and vitamins A, D, and E. These nutrients support thyroid hormone production and immune system function.
Stress Management
Chronic stress can impact thyroid function. Functional medicine incorporates stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness, meditation and adequate sleep to help balance hormones and improve thyroid health.
Detoxification
Exposure to environmental toxins can affect thyroid function. Functional medicine may include detoxification to reduce the body’s toxic load, using methods such as dietary changes, hydration, and specific supplements.
Holistic Therapies
Functional medicine integrates various holistic therapies, including acupuncture, herbal medicine and other therapies you may be interested in. These therapies can help to support the body’s natural healing processes and improve thyroid function. A fully holistic treatment for thyroid problems will incorporate different therapies.
Functional Medicine: A Holistic Treatment for Thyroid Problems
Functional medicine offers a promising holistic approach to treating thyroid problems by focusing on the root causes and promoting overall wellbeing. By combining conventional and alternative therapies, functional medicine delivers personalised care that addresses the individual needs of each patient. This comprehensive and personalised approach can lead to better management of thyroid disorders and improved quality of life.
To discuss how functional medicine could be the ideal holistic treatment for thyroid problems and to book your first appointment, get in touch with us today.
Rodrigo Arrangoiz, Fernando Cordera, David Caba, Manuel Muñoz, Eduardo Moreno, Enrique Luque de León, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
