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Thyroid Health

You’re fatigued. Irritable. Too hot or too cold. Have unexplained weight gain or weight loss. Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and other thyroid problems all have different symptoms, but they have one thing in common: You don’t feel right and no one seems to be able to fix it.

“I’ve visited my doctor. He did blood tests. There is nothing wrong with my thyroid.”

If you see your general practitioner and are given a blood test to check for thyroid imbalances, the results may come back normal – but that doesn’t mean they’re accurate. Thyroid-related illnesses affect millions of Americans, and many of these cases go undiagnosed. Testing must be thorough, specific, and carefully contained – traditional medicine can’t always deliver on those variables. Ann Arbor Holistic Health can.

Understanding the Thyroid Gland

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, located in front of the trachea. It is responsible for storing and releasing the hormones that control the speed of your metabolism. If the thyroid’s production of the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) is disrupted, a thyroid disorder can develop.

The thyroid gland predominantly produces T4 which is then converted to T3, the hormone responsible for doing the major work of the thyroid. The pituitary gland plays a role too, making thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH) that are responsible for telling the thyroid gland how much T3 and T4 to produce.

The thyroid plays a critical role in your overall health, which is why you can feel full-body symptoms when your thyroid isn’t working properly, from gastrointestinal function to cholesterol levels.

The Failure of Standard Blood Tests for Thyroid Problems

Traditional blood tests scan for TSH levels, confirming whether you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). If your blood test results don’t show either result, you’re back to square one.

Negative results for thyroid problems can make you begin to feel a little crazy or think that your symptoms are psychological rather than physical. Don’t judge yourself – if you don’t feel right, you need help to figure out exactly what’s going on.

More in-depth blood tests look for reverse T3, selenium, thyroid antibodies, or heavy metal, all of which could confirm or deny thyroid problems. These blood tests are not routine, which is why standard blood tests don’t always inform an accurate diagnosis.

Identify Thyroid Problems with Holistic Health

Even amid all this discussion about blood tests for thyroid problems, there are other factors that are influential in determining thyroid health. Testing is important, of course, but your health history, lifestyle, nutrition, genetics, and environment have roles to play too – and they also help determine what can be done to improve your overall health so you set yourself up for your entire system to work properly.

If you’re feeling unmotivated about pursuing further help for your suspicions about a thyroid problem, don’t despair that you’ll always just feel this way. Keep listening to your body – it will tell you when something is wrong. Potential signs of a thyroid imbalance include:

  • Too much energy.
  • Extreme fatigue.
  • Anxious and restless.
  • Depressed and sluggish.
  • Chills.
  • Sweating.
  • Sleeping problems.
  • Hair loss.
  • Weight gain.
  • Weight loss.
  • Irregular heartbeat.

Do You Think There’s Something Wrong with Your Thyroid?

Even if your doctor has told you that your thyroid is fine but you believe otherwise, don’t just accept a potential misdiagnosis. At Ann Arbor Holistic Health in Ann Arbor, Michigan, we acknowledge your symptoms, complaints, and intuition about your health and wellness. Your body speaks loudly. If you’re listening to it, you’re already on the right path to better health. If you allow our team to support you in your wellness goals, feeling good about yourself – mentally, physically, and emotionally – will follow.

Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation so we can begin the process of healing together and restore your health.