HYPERTHYROIDISM AND GRAVE’S DISEASE
Thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland right in front of your neck, produces two major thyroid hormones that help to regulate body temperature, body’s heart rate, digestion, overall growth, energy production, and brain health.
Overproduction of these hormones i.e T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 ( thyroxine) is termed as hyperthyroidism. There can be several reasons for the thyroid to be overactive, but the most common one is due to the autoimmune condition, known as Graves disease. Here, an antibody called thyrotropin receptor antibody (TRAb) can mimic the hormones of pituitary gland and end up in overriding the whole system, causing an overactive thyroid, which can also develop other antibodies like Antithyroglobulin antibodies or Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies.
Signs that may warn you for Hyperthyroidism
- Hot flushes
- Sweating
- Diarrhea ( frequent )
- Unexplained weight loss
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Constant fatigue
- Increased heart rate
- Changes in menstrual cycles
- Reduced libido
- Bulging eyes
- Red thick skin in shins and feet
- Increased appetite
- Osteoporosis
- Hand tremors/shivering
- Muscle weakness
Unlike conventional medicine that focus on treating the symptoms, Functional Medicine approach find out the root cause of the problem and treat the cause. This is done by first testing an individual for heavy metal deposits in body specially for mercury, detecting underlying infections, checking iodine level in the body, various important blood work specifically for T3, T4 level and thyroid antibodies, foods that one is intolerant or allergic to. After the cause is detected the treatment is started by the functional medicine specialist.