Dr. Kelly Heals Thyroid Issues
Dr. Kelly treats thyroid issues differently. The goal is to get you feeling the very best on the least amount of medication (if any). To do this, she focuses on the whole you, healing your body, supporting the thyroid and removing the causes of illness. Thyroid issues can cause fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, constipation and many more symptoms. Just taking a medication often doesn't resolve these symptoms.
Functional medicine doctors approach thyroid issues by addressing the root causes of dysfunction rather than simply treating symptoms. Here's how a functional medicine doctor may approach fixing thyroid issues:
1. Comprehensive Assessment:
- Thorough Medical History: A functional medicine doctor will take a detailed medical history, including symptoms, lifestyle factors, environmental exposures, and family history, to identify potential triggers and contributors to thyroid dysfunction.
- Laboratory Testing: Comprehensive laboratory testing may be performed to assess thyroid function, including levels of thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), thyroid antibodies (TPOAb, TGAb), reverse T3 (rT3), and markers of inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, and hormonal imbalances.
2. Addressing Nutrient Deficiencies:
- Optimizing Nutrition: Functional medicine doctors emphasize the importance of a nutrient-rich diet to support thyroid function. They may recommend dietary changes to ensure adequate intake of essential nutrients such as iodine, selenium, zinc, iron, vitamin D, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Supplementation: In cases of nutrient deficiencies, targeted supplementation may be recommended to restore optimal nutrient levels and support thyroid health.
3. Balancing Hormones:
- Optimizing Stress Response: Chronic stress can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and contribute to thyroid dysfunction. Functional medicine doctors may recommend stress-reduction techniques, lifestyle modifications, and adaptogenic herbs to support adrenal health and balance cortisol levels.
- Addressing Sex Hormones: Imbalances in sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) can affect thyroid function. Functional medicine doctors may assess and address hormone imbalances through lifestyle interventions, nutritional support, and hormone replacement therapy if necessary.
4. Supporting Detoxification:
- Eliminating Toxins: Environmental toxins such as heavy metals, pesticides, and endocrine disruptors can interfere with thyroid function. Functional medicine doctors may recommend lifestyle modifications to reduce exposure to toxins and support detoxification pathways.
- Liver Support: Supporting liver function is crucial for detoxification and hormone metabolism. Strategies may include dietary changes, nutritional supplements, and herbal remedies to support liver health and optimize detoxification.
5. Gut Health Optimization:
- Addressing Gut Imbalances: Dysbiosis, leaky gut syndrome, and intestinal inflammation can impact thyroid function and contribute to autoimmune thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Functional medicine doctors may recommend gut-healing protocols, probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary interventions to restore gut health and reduce inflammation.
6. Lifestyle Modifications:
- Stress Management: Stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and regular physical activity are important for supporting overall health and optimizing thyroid function.
- Sleep Optimization: Adequate sleep is essential for thyroid health and overall well-being. Functional medicine doctors may recommend sleep hygiene practices and relaxation techniques to improve sleep quality.
7. Individualized Treatment Plan:
- Functional medicine doctors develop individualized treatment plans based on the unique needs and underlying imbalances of each patient. Treatment may involve a combination of dietary changes, nutritional supplementation, lifestyle modifications, stress management techniques, detoxification support, and targeted therapies to address specific issues contributing to thyroid dysfunction.
Conclusion:
Functional medicine doctors take a holistic and personalized approach to fixing thyroid issues by addressing the root causes of dysfunction and supporting overall health and well-being. By focusing on optimizing nutrition, balancing hormones, supporting detoxification, addressing gut health, and promoting lifestyle modifications, functional medicine doctors aim to restore thyroid function and improve the overall health and vitality of their patients.