The Balance thyroid and adrenal glands (those producing cortisol) are the key regulators of the body. If the Thyroid and Cortisol levels are not right, the rest of the body will NOT function well. This is why these central hormones must be treated along with Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, & Human Growth Hormone.
Many patients, especially women in their 30’s & 40’s, are diagnosed with Hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid by their primary care physician or endocrinologist. These doctors only diagnose cases of overt or severe deficiencies–we call it clinical Hypothyroidism. If a patient has some or all of the classical symptoms of Hypothyroidism, but the blood tests are within the normal range of values, no thyroid replacement therapy is given to relieve these symptoms. So what happens to patients that test on the low side of “normal” &/or suffers hypothyroid symptoms? These patients have subclinical hypothyroidism. Estimates are that 20-40% of the population suffers in some way from sub-clinical hypothyroidism. We were taught in medical school to only treat those patients with overt thyroid deficiencies; there was no such thing as “subclinical” hypothyroidism. The philosophy was: patients are deficient or not, everything else in the middle is perfectly normal. With the advent of Anti-Aging Medicine, everybody is treated to create an optimal balance of hormones & to obtain the hormonal levels of our youth. Be it sub-clinical or clinical hypothyroidism, severe or mild deficiency, patients do not have to endure hypothyroid symptoms and the negative effects these causes in the body and their hormones.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid?
A “sluggish” thyroid can cause a range of symptoms from cold hands & feet, chronic fatigue, hair loss/thinning, low libido, and depression to weight gain and inability to lose weight…in short, symptoms of slow metabolism. Also, pale/leathery skin, stiff joints, atherosclerosis, easy bruising, muscle cramps, persistent low back pain, mental sluggishness, emotional instability with crying spells, temper tantrums, mood swings, and increased susceptibility to colds, viruses, & respiratory illnesses.
How does an underactive thyroid affect the other hormones in the body?
Because hormones are mutually-dependent, a deficiency of one can create excesses of another, and vice versa, with numerous possibilities for imbalance and unhealthy symptoms. Imbalances of estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol are linked to low thyroid. 80% of low thyroid patients have low cortisol or “Adrenal Fatigue” and vice versa. Many studies have found that Human Growth Hormone (HGH) levels are very low in Hypothyroid patients and when hGH is replaced in these people, the thyroid is usually normalized. Low Testosterone levels are also found in Hypothyroid patients (especially men) and Testosterone replacement therapy significantly improves their thyroid function.
Why do patients with an underactive thyroid never feel “normal” again and experience residual symptoms?
Thyroid replacement therapy (especially synthetic versions like “Synthroid”, “Levothyroxine”, etc) improves some of the hypothyroid patient symptoms, but virtually everyone complains they are never the same person after having thyroid problems. This is because they are not completely treated! They may be treated for their thyroid deficiency, but all the other hormones are out of balance or in abnormal levels in the body. It is crucial to test ALL hormones and treat ALL hormonal imbalances at the same time to be able to get back to the peak of health.
How do I know if I have a “sluggish” or underactive thyroid?
If you answered yes to 2 or more of the symptoms in this questionnaire, you may benefit from natural thyroid supplementation.
- Tired all the time
- Weight gain
- Poor concentration
- Depression
- Brittle hair & nails
- Cold hands & feet
- Can’t-lose weight
- Mood changes
- Slow pulse rate
- Forgetful
- Hair loss
- Thinning skin
- Constipation
- Aches & Pains
- Low Libido
What do I do if I am already on thyroid replacement therapy?
First, we will test the Balance thyroid and gather all the patient symptoms in order to determine how the patient is responding to the current therapy. At this point, we will be able to switch from synthetic to Bio-Identical thyroid replacement therapy and fine-tune the dose. It is important to also test for Cortisol, Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, and Human Growth Hormone levels to detect any imbalances and treat them at the same time as the Balance thyroid. We always treat the patient as a whole, not only the test result.
How can I balance my thyroid?
- First, determine your symptoms
- Then, test your thyroid levels (this involves 5-7 blood tests, not just the 1usual test that your doctor gets)
- Find a board-certified doctor in Anti-Aging Medicine (specializing in Bio-Identical hormonal therapy)
- Detoxification is a key component of your Balance thyroid to work at its maximum potential
- Always Supplement with Nutriceuticals (pharmaceutical-grade nutritional supplements that are prescription strength, free of harmful contaminants, and actually absorbed by the body)-only way to have the available building blocks to regenerate the body’s tissues and to work properly
- ALWAYS use a Bio-Identical thyroid hormone (the exact chemical structure as the hormones produced by the body and derived from a natural source)
- STOP all synthetic hormones-Premarin, Provera, Progestins, and birth control pills, pellets, injections, & intrauterine devices (They ALL contain synthetic hormones)-the imbalances caused by these hormones usually affect Balance thyroid
- Use “hormone-free” foods and products
- Minimize stress and use stress-handling techniques like yoga, meditation, prayer, 10. Stop smoking ASAP
- Eat more fiber
- Get deep, restful, uninterrupted 7-8 hours of sleep-this is the only way that body tissues regenerate after being used during the day.
**NOTE** The content contained in this blog is subject to interpretation and is the opinion of the content writer. We do not claim it to be fact. We encourage you to consult a medical doctor before taking any prescribed medications or supplements.
At AAI Rejuvenation Clinic, we advise anyone to think seriously about beginning Hormone treatment if there is no medical need for it. However, we will take every precaution to ensure that you read all the positive benefits from your program by providing the latest at-home hormonal mouth-swab testing. This will ensure we are continually monitoring your progress and aware of any negative side effects. Fill out the Medical History Form or call us at (866) 224-5698
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