Getting To the Root Cause of Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism, or under-active thyroid function, affects approximately 1 in 8 American women. If not identified and treated, low thyroid function may lead to fatigue, depression, weight gain, fertility problems, cognitive impairment, or heavy or irregular periods. These symptoms describe so many women! As an integrative practitioner, discovering why the thyroid is not functioning properly is important. From there we can determine how to begin healing the body.

Here are three common causes of under-active thyroid and options to correct these imbalances.

1. Autoimmune Disease – Autoimmune thyroiditis, or Hashimoto’s disease, is the most common cause of under-active thyroid. Here, the immune system falsely attacks the thyroid gland. Over time, the thyroid has an increasingly difficult time producing hormone and eventually hormone levels decline. Once we determine if autoimmune disease is present, we work on modifying diet and lifestyle to moderate the immune response.

2. Nutritional Deficiency – Several vitamins and minerals including iodine, selenium, iron, vitamin D and more are essential for thyroid function. They are required to form T4 thyroid hormone, convert the T4 to T3 hormone, and assist the update of T3 hormone into your cells. Deficiency in any of these nutrients will lead to lowered thyroid hormone production and effectiveness. Bloodwork can easily be done to assess for optimal levels of these nutrients. Dietary changes and supplements can then be used to boost levels and support optimal production.

3. Other Hormone Imbalances – Imbalances in other hormone systems like adrenal or sex hormones can lead to imbalance in thyroid hormones. All of our hormone systems work together. Stress, blood sugar imbalance, or chronic infection can alter adrenal function and affect the thyroid. Adrenal evaluation can be a helpful tool to determine how to best support the adrenal glands. Blood sugar balance, lifestyle modification, and key nutritional supplements can support adrenal function. When we improve adrenal function, thyroid function may also improve.

Addressing the root cause of hypothyroidism is the first step in the healing process. From there, we can implement nutrition, lifestyle changes, appropriate supplementation and then medication as needed to correct the imbalance..

Courtney Hasseman is a Certified Nurse-Midwife and Nurse Practitioner who provides integrative gynecologic care for women. Additionally, she is certified in nutritional therapy and offers functional nutrition programs specializing in hormonal and menstrual health. Courtney is an educator at heart and is passionate about providing unhurried, highly personalized, comprehensive care for women. She provides both in-person and online consultations based from her Northern Virginia clinic.

SOURCES:

1. American Thyroid Association
2. Cleveland Clinic