Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid gland is located in the neck and produces hormones that are related to metabolic processes in the body. The thyroid gland can become over or under active.
A form of hyperthyroidism is Graves disease where the body produces antibodies against the thyroid stimulating over production of thyroid hormones.
Symptoms
Weight loss
Irritability
Anxiety
Difficulty sleeping
Heat intolerance
Neck swelling
Palpitations
Tremor
Management usually involves referral to an Endocrinologist and medication, radio-iodine treatment or thyroid removal surgery.
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland is underactive. This can be caused by Hashimoto’s disease where the body produces antibodies which attack the thyroid gland causing it to produce less thyroid hormones.
Other causes include diet, previous treatment to thyroid for thyroid cancer or an overactive thyroid.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Tiredness
Weight gain
Cold intolerance
Constipation
Irregular periods
Dry skin
Numbness in hand
Brittle hair and nails
Depression
Muscle aches
Fatigue
Loss of libido
Testing for thyroid problems is done via a blood test for TSH,T4,T3 and thyroid autoantibodies.
+ Things you can do at home
- Thyroid support supplements
- Healthy diet (nutritionist advice can be helpful) and exercise
+ The conventional approach
- Thyroid hormone replacement with levothyroxine
+ Our approach at London Hormone Clinic
- We fully assess thyroid function with relation to symptoms and blood tests being in the optimal range
- We treat hypothyroidism using various thyroid preparations to achieve optimum hormone levels and symptom control
- We also assess wider lifestyle factor such as diet which could be contributing
