Hair loss, fatigue, changes in weight, sleeping too much, or maybe too little are all signs your thyroid may be off.
The thyroid gland is an important little gland located near the vocal cords along the front of the neck. Think of the thyroid hormones like the accelerator on a car. If you have too much thyroid hormone, the ‘car’ (every cell in your body) is going too fast. This means that thoughts are spinning, the heart is racing, feelings of anxiousness, even having diarrhea.
On the flip side, if there is not enough hormone, it is like taking your foot off the gas pedal. Every cell slows down – digestion becomes sluggish, the weight creeps up, and fatigue settles in.
The physicians at Canby Clinic understand how important the thyroid hormones are to the function of every cell in your body. They are thorough at testing the thyroid hormones, and will ‘screen’ for them using TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone – the hormone that comes down from the brain and stimulates the thyroid gland), Free T3 (the active form of thyroid hormone), and Free T4 (the inactive form of thyroid hormone, but the most prevalent form). If this evaluation is not detailed enough, they will dig deeper into additional testing for autoimmunity and other causes of symptoms.
Thyroid disorders may be treated with diet, supplements, or, if severe, prescription medication. These therapies can be highly effective at restoring the balance to the thyroid and improving the quality of life. If you think you may be suffering from a thyroid disorder, call Canby Clinic, and schedule an appointment with one of our doctors today.