Thyroid Disorder

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland situated at the base of the front of the neck just below the Adam’s apple. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland are T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). These hormones influence all aspects of your metabolism, such as body temperature and heart rate. The incidence of hypothyroidism increases with age. At age 60, 20% of women have hypothyroidism. Aside from being a woman and being over 60, the other risk factors include a family history of thyroid disease, having thyroid surgery, getting radiation to your neck, or having an auto immune disease.

What Is It?

The most common disorder is an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism. It occurs when your thyroid does not produce enough hormones T4 and T3, therefor upsetting the balance of chemical reactions in your body. Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, constipation, thinning hair, fatigue, muscle weakness, irregular menses, elevated cholesterol, depression and impaired memory. Over time if left untreated it may lead to obesity, heart disease, a goiter (enlarged thyroid), infertility, and peripheral neuropathy.

Causes:

Autoimmune disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis). This occurs when your body produces antibodies, which attack your own thyroid and/or thyroid enzymes. These antibodies affect the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones. The likely cause of this condition is a combination of factors, including genetic factors, aging, and environmental triggers.

If a person is treated with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medication, for the treatment of hyperthyroidism, it may also lower thyroid production too much, resulting in permanent hypothyroidism.  Also,  after thyroid surgery, hormone production can be diminished or halted.

Diagnosis:

The diagnosis of hypothyroidism is based upon a person’s symptoms and the result of blood tests. The blood TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and T4 (thyroxine). T3 and other blood tests may be performed.  When your thyroid gland is underactive, the pituitary gland produces more TSH in an effort to stimulate the thyroid gland to make more thyroid hormone. A high level of TSH and a low level of T4/T3 indicates hypothyroidism. TSH tests are also used to help diagnosis subclinical (before symptoms appear) hypothyroidism.

Treatment:

TSH, T3 and T4 blood levels play an important role in managing hypothyroidism. Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily intake of either synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (T4) which then converts to T3, the active hormone. This oral medication restores adequate hormone levels, reversing the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. The levels of thyroid function tests should be monitored on a regular basis. Although most doctors recommend synthetic hormones, natural extracts from the thyroid gland of pigs, which contain both T3 and T4, can be prescribed.

At Zen Medical Care, Dr. Enzenbacher looks at a full blood panel of pituitary and thyroid hormones in order to confirm a diagnosis as well as monitoring treatment effectiveness. She also works with patients who want to be treated with natural extracts of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Each patient is an active participant in her therapy in order to achieve maximum health.