What Is the Thyroid and What Does It Do?

The thyroid gland is a tiny organ situated in the neck, connected to the windpipe. As a gland, the thyroid creates and releases hormones, which have a wide effect on other functions within your body.

Most importantly, the thyroid gland helps control your metabolism through a few specific hormones:

  • T4 – Thyroxine – Contains four iodine atoms.
  • T3 – Triiodothyronine – Contains three iodine atoms.

When your thyroid is not working properly and does not produce the correct amount of hormones (which is the condition known as thyroid disease), it can have a long list of impacts and effects on your health and everyday life.

At Inspire Healthcare Services, we can help. With thyroid optimization, we can partner with you to regulate your thyroid to produce optimal levels of hormones.

Risk Factors of Thyroid Disease

Many inherent risk factors may increase your chances of developing thyroid disease.

And many of these factors start with your physical and genetic make-up. These inherent traits can increase your risk of thyroid disease and include the following.

  • A family history of thyroid disease or other thyroid issues.
  • As the majority of thyroid disease patients are female, you are a woman.
  • Thyroid disease is more common as we age. You are over 60-years old.
  • You have a corresponding and pre-existing medical condition, such as: Anemia, Type 1 diabetes, Primary adrenal insufficiency, Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, or Turner syndrome.
  • You take medications that are high in iodine.

Also, other factors – such as your weight, body composition, and fat distributions – may come into play when it comes to thyroid disease. This is exactly why we use a variety of in-depth diagnostic tools to understand your risk of thyroid disease, as well as your individualized treatment.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Thyroid Issues?

One of the reasons why thyroid disease can go for years without a proper diagnosis is that providers link thyroid issue symptoms to other conditions.

As such, pay close attention to warning signs. Some symptoms may seem like they are connected to a different or more generalized medical issue, like:

  • Mood disorder
  • Weight-related issues
  • Digestive problems

Clear Indicators

However, they can be a clear indication of thyroid disease, as described below. 

  • Generalized fatigue, regardless of getting plenty of rest. 
  • Brain fog and cognitive problems, such as an increase in forgetfulness or a lack of motivation.
  • An inability to lose weight despite adjusting your diet or lifestyle includes exercising more, cutting calories, or other traditional weight loss issues.
  • Recurring digestive issues, such as constipation.
  • A diagnosis of mood disorders, including depression and anxiety. 
  • Feeling depressed or experiencing mood swings that can range from lethargic to irritable and antsy.
  • Fluid retention, and particularly around the face, hands, and feet.
  • Poorly regulated blood sugar and insulin resistance.
  • A slow metabolism that does not increase with an uptick in exercise or by taking dietary supplements.

As you can likely see by reviewing the list, these symptoms can easily indicate other medical issues. But if you notice any of the above, it’s time to schedule an in-depth consultation with Inspire Healthcare Services to determine if the root cause of any of these effects is, in fact, thyroid disease.

What Can I Expect During Thyroid Optimization?

Thyroid optimization involves adjusting and managing thyroid hormone levels to ensure they are within an optimal range for your overall health and well-being. This can include treatment for both underactive (hypothyroidism) and overactive (hyperthyroidism) thyroid conditions.

The process begins with a comprehensive evaluation, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, and blood tests to measure your thyroid hormone levels. Based on the results, a personalized treatment plan is developed.

Treatments may include hormone replacement therapy (such as levothyroxine for hypothyroidism), dietary and nutritional support, lifestyle modifications, medications for hyperthyroidism, and in some cases, radioactive iodine therapy or surgery.