Thyroid & Endocrine Health

More than 30 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease and dysfunction, with up to 65% of these people being completely unaware of their condition.

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One in six women will develop a thyroid disorder even though Levothyroxine (a synthetic form of thyroid hormone) is the fourth highest-selling drug in the US. Regardless of the drug therapies we have adapted the number of people suffering from thyroid disorders continues to rise.

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Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder and characterized by cognitive decline, depression, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, irregular menstruation, infertility and joint pain.

Thyroid hormones are responsible for the most basic aspects of our body's function and impact every single major system of the body including our brain, GI tract, cardiovascular system, bone metabolism, red blood cell function. gallbladder, liver, glucose metabolism and body temperature. 

Hyperthyroidism is another thyroid disorder with a different set of symptoms such as heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, weight loss, diarrhea, anxiety, excessive body heat, increased appetite and insomnia.

The two major causes of thyroid disorders are nutrient deficiencies and unresolved autoimmune diseases. The most common nutrient deficiencies include iodine, zinc and selenium. The most common autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid is Hashimoto's disease which has a variety of root causes such as Epstein Barr and other co infections unresolved by the bodies healing systems.  

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Furthermore, emerging research indicates that the gut microbiome plays a central role in the regulation of both stress and sex hormones within the body.

Thus, hormone imbalances and related conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, breast cancer, prostate cancer, amenorrhea, estrogen dominance and low testosterone may all be related to an unhealthy digestive tract.

The most important thing to understand with hormone imbalance are the two models of diagnosis and treatment.
The conventional model is known as the “replacement” model of care. The replacement model is basically measuring what's low and replacing it. In this manner, if you have low estrogen or progesterone, you will be given a prescription to increase these hormones. 

The functional model is very different. A functional medicine approach to balancing hormones would be concerned with determining the underlying cause or source of the problem and addressing it at that level.
Replacing hormones may be something that needs to be done, but is rarely the only thing that needs to be done. 
Within the Functional Medicine model Dr. Anderson might find that a certain hormone needs to be prescribed and so it becomes part of the treatment plan. 

However, not everyone requires hormone replacement, especially if they have not investigated the underlying causes.

Been diagnosed with a Thyroid condition?  

Feel out of rhythm or stuck?  

Functional Medicine care could be right for you.
 

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Dr. Anderson and Healing by Design systems use Functional Medicine and other diagnostics to get to the roots of the bodies unresolved stress and blockages.  

Click the button below to schedule a consultation w Dr Anderson to see If Functional Medicine is right for you.