About 5 in 100 Americans have hypothyroidism. If you’re experiencing lingering fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, or other possible symptoms of hypothyroidism, Total Health Primary Care, PLLC, can help. The experienced medical providers offer both traditional and alternative treatment options in their Selma, Texas, office. They welcome patients from all surrounding areas, so click the scheduling tool or call the office today to learn about hypothyroidism treatments.
Hypothyroidism Q & A
What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism means that your thyroid gland makes inadequate thyroid hormones. Normally, your body converts the main thyroid hormone (T4 or thyroxine) into a metabolically active form (T3 or triiodothyronine). You also have thyroid-stimulating hormone, which spurs your thyroid gland to produce T4.
If you’re making too little of any of these thyroid hormones, it can significantly affect many different bodily functions, including your heart rate, digestion, fertility, heat regulation, and calorie burning.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Feeling cold
- Dry hair and skin
- Constipation
- Muscle cramps
- Weight gain
- Poor memory
- Brain fog (difficulty thinking clearly)
- Reduced libido
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Joint pain
- Increased menstrual blood flow in women
Some people with hypothyroidism also develop an enlarged thyroid (goiter), which may feature a prominent bump in the front of the neck.
What causes hypothyroidism?
There are many possible causes, with the most common being an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. If you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, your immune system mistakenly destroys your healthy thyroid gland.
Other possible causes include pituitary gland problems, radiation therapy, thyroid gland surgery, and viral infections. In some cases, babies are born with hypothyroidism.
How does hypothyroidism testing work?
The standard way to diagnose hypothyroidism is with lab services. A blood test checks your thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. Depending on your thyroid-stimulating hormone level, your provider may also check your T4 level. If you have high thyroid-stimulating hormone levels but low T4, it strongly indicates hypothyroidism.
As part of your preventive health care, your provider may diagnose hypothyroidism before you have any symptoms. If you're at risk for this condition because you're female, over 60, have an autoimmune illness like diabetes or other factors, they may do a blood test to screen for hypothyroidism.
How is hypothyroidism treated?
Hypothyroidism treatment varies with the situation and how severe your condition. Total Health Primary Care, PLLC, offers both pharmaceutical and natural hormone prescriptions.
Pharmaceuticals
The most common traditional hypothyroidism treatment is synthetic T4 hormone, taken orally. The team monitors your reaction and may adjust your medication level after about six weeks of taking the medication for optimal hormone balancing.
Natural hormone prescriptions
Total Health Primary Care, PLLC, offers natural hormone prescriptions for hypothyroidism. With natural hormone prescriptions, you can altogether avoid synthetic formulas and still maximize your thyroid function. The experienced providers test every product to ensure that they're safe and effective for you.
Total Health Primary Care, PLLC, is ready to customize hypothyroidism care for your needs, so don’t hesitate to call the office or book an appointment online.