Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that is responsible for the hormones that control many parts of your metabolism. If you’re experiencing thyroid issues, they can be difficult to diagnose on their own, as they can often be mistaken for other health problems. A doctor can order tests to check your thyroid levels and diagnose a problem. Many people don’t know when they have thyroid issues, but there are some warning signs that you can watch out for.

Here are some of the warning signs of thyroid issues that you can keep an eye out for. If you’re experiencing the following issues, it’s always a good idea to schedule an appointment and talk to your doctor about them, so that you can restore your body to optimal health.

#1. Weight Changes

Your thyroid regulates your metabolism. As such, if it is over- or underactive, this can impact your weight. People with hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) can experience weight gain and difficulty losing weight. People with hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) can experience weight loss and difficulty gaining weight. 

Depending on where you are in life, weight loss or weight gain may be something you wanted. However, unexpected weight loss or weight gain as a result of thyroid issues can cause unwanted changes and lead to a whole host of problems. For instance, if your weight loss is because of hyperthyroidism, you could end up malnourished because your body is burning far more calories than you are consuming. 

#2. Difficulty Regulating Body Temperature

Another warning sign that you may have thyroid issues includes if you’re always hot or always cold. People with hypothyroidism can find themselves reaching for sweaters and blankets when the temperature is fine for everyone else. People with hyperthyroidism can find themselves hot and struggle to cool themselves down, even if no one else is overly hot. 

This is because the hormones that your thyroid gland secretes regulate your body temperature too. That means that if your metabolism slows down because of hypothyroidism, you can experience more sensitivity to the cold, while if it speeds up because of hyperthyroidism, you’re more sensitive to the heat. 

#3. Changed Energy Levels

If you have an overactive thyroid, you can end up feeling nervous and anxious and sweating, because your hyperthyroidism is sending your body into overdrive. Conversely, if you have an underactive thyroid, you can end up feeling fatigued and struggling to muster the energy to do anything. 

People with hyperthyroidism may find themselves struggling with overactive thoughts while people with hypothyroidism may find themselves struggling with brain fog and sluggish thoughts.

#4. Digestive Issues

Since your thyroid impacts your metabolism, it’s no wonder that it also impacts your digestive process. People who struggle with hypothyroidism may find themselves constipated because their digestive system has slowed down. On the other hand, people with hyperthyroidism may struggle with more frequent bowel movements because of how their thyroid issues have sped up their digestive process.

#5. Increased Or Decreased Heart Rate

Another warning sign of thyroid issues is changes in your heart rate. If your thyroid is producing too much thyroid hormone, this can cause your heart rate to speed up, resulting in palpitations or irregular beats. If your body is not producing enough of the thyroid hormone, this can slow your heart rate down, which can end up causing your arteries to lose elasticity over time. 

#6. Hair Loss

Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause hair loss. This hair loss tends to involve the entire scalp, rather than select areas. You may notice an abnormal amount of hair loss when you shower or brush your hair and your hair may start to appear thinner. When you obtain treatment for your thyroid issues, your hair can grow back.

#7. Skin Issues

If your thyroid issues are because your thyroid isn’t producing enough of the thyroid hormone, you may find yourself struggling with dry and patchy skin. If your thyroid is producing too much of the thyroid hormone, you may find yourself struggling with moist and oily skin. 

What To Do If You Suspect You Have Thyroid Issues

Unless you have a goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) or thyroid nodules, it can be very challenging to know whether your symptoms are the result of thyroid issues or another condition. If you suspect that you may have thyroid issues, you will want to schedule an appointment with your doctor so that they can test your thyroid and then formulate a treatment plan from there.

Life Health Medical Center provides treatment for thyroid issues. If you are struggling with symptoms that could be because of an under- or overactive thyroid, schedule an appointment to get your thyroid checked today. We’re here to help you regain your health.

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental illnesses in the United States. As people learn more about mental illness and it is becoming less stigmatized, more people seek out treatment. Given that the most common treatment methods for anxiety and depression consist of talk therapy and medications, many people are unaware of how functional medicine treats anxiety and depression. 

Since functional medicine takes a holistic approach to treatment and seeks to uncover the root cause of whatever your issue may be, for some, how functional medicine treats anxiety and depression can be incredibly effective. Here’s what you need to know about some of the facts about how functional medicine treats anxiety and depression.

#1. It Looks At Root Causes

Functional medicine treats anxiety and depression by looking deep into your personal history, medical background, and factors such as your diet, your sleep, and your activity levels to uncover anything that could be either causing or worsening your anxiety and/or depression. 

For some people, anxiety and depression are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, which medication helps treat, the same way medications treat other lifelong issues, such as heart disease. 

For others, their anxiety or depression results from trauma or circumstantial factors. For instance, if you are stuck in a bad living situation, you likely have higher levels of anxiety and/or depression that can improve once you can find a way to improve your living situation.

While anxiety and depression can be a result of genetics, trauma, and life circumstances, they can also be caused by issues within your body, such as food intolerances, a sedentary lifestyle, and other underlying health issues. 

Functional medicine treats anxiety and depression by not just looking at your symptoms, but rather, at the whole picture. Everyone is different, so is it any wonder that different people need different treatment methods in order to feel better because their anxiety and/or depression result from different things? By uncovering the root cause of your anxiety and/or depression, you can find the treatment method that works best for your specific needs and circumstances.

#2. Your Diet Matters

Americans are known for being very unhealthy. This is due to a large variety of factors, such as how easily accessible and cheap highly processed foods are in comparison to healthy options. There’s a fast food restaurant on every corner, but finding something good for you, like an acai bowl or a salad, isn’t anywhere near as easy, convenient, or cheap. Many people don’t know that your diet can play a huge role in your mental health. 

One of the ways functional medicine treats anxiety and depression is by taking that into account and providing you with the knowledge you need to make the necessary changes that can help you feel better. For instance, your gut plays a huge role in your overall health, your mental health included. Did you know that serotonin, the neurotransmitter that helps you feel good and satisfied, is produced in your gut? No wonder that if you have poor gut health that can manifest in symptoms of anxiety and depression! 

All sorts of different dietary issues can result in symptoms of anxiety and depression, from poor gut health to inflammation and more. Functional medicine treats anxiety and depression by looking at your diet and suggesting ways you can improve it for better mental and overall health. The healthier your diet and the better it is suited to your body’s specific needs, the less you need to worry about it contributing to worsened mental health.

#3. Bodies Need To Move

Another way functional medicine treats anxiety and depression is by analyzing your activity levels. For some people, they can be incredibly active and still suffer anxiety and depression. But for others, increasing activity levels can do wonders for their mental health. Many people who live sedentary lifestyles find that they suffer from worsened mental health. Regularly getting movement in can be an instant mood booster for a lot of people who suffer from anxiety and/or depression. 

Depending on the root cause of your anxiety and depression, how much movement helps your mental health can vary. But there is no question that regularly moving your body and staying active helps your physical health, and can improve your mental health, too.

That is why one of the ways in which functional medicine treats anxiety and depression is by looking at how active a lifestyle you lead. The more you enjoy an activity, the easier it is to stay active. If you don’t like running, you can try dancing or weight-lifting or hiking or any other of the plethora of physical activities out there. 

#4. Lack Of Sleep Can Worsen Mental Health Issues

Sleep is one of our bodies’ superpowers. It’s when our bodies get the chance to repair themselves and regenerate, as well as normalize your metabolism and hormone levels. That’s part of the reason why people who do not get enough sleep can struggle with issues like weight gain and trouble losing weight. Sleep impacts your mental health, too. 

During sleep, your body gets rid of any inflammatory compounds which could damage your brain. If you don’t get enough sleep, you will have less energy than you would otherwise, which can impact your mood, especially if you regularly do not get enough sleep. Sleep problems can worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression. 

Functional medicine looks at your sleep, as well as any and all factors surrounding it. If you are not sleeping well, functional medicine can help you find solutions to obtain better sleep. This can improve your overall mental health. 

Want To Learn More About How Functional Medicine Treats Anxiety And Depression?

Life Health Medical Center provides functional medicine treatment for anxiety and depression. Every person is different, so is it any wonder that we personalize your treatment plan to you, to help you the best way we can? To learn more about how functional medicine treats anxiety and depression or to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.