Your thyroid is responsible for a wide range of functions, from metabolism regulation to heart, brain, and bone health. It accomplishes these tasks by producing hormones and communicating with both the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus portion of the brain. Keep reading to understand more about the function of thyroid hormones, the signs of having a hormonal imbalance, and what to do about it.
Thyroid Hormone Function
The brain is responsible for telling the pituitary gland to produce a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH,) which in turn, tells the thyroid to make more or less thyroid hormones. The 2 main hormones are called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), and they are used by nearly every cell and organ in your body. If they were to have a job title, it would be “The Regulator”. Here are a few of the top functions of thyroid hormones and what they regulate:
- Heart rate
- Body temperature
- Muscle strength and control
- Metabolism and energy production
- Central nervous system
- Menstrual cycle
- Skin and bone maintenance
Symptoms of Thyroid Hormone Imbalance
So, how do you know if your thyroid hormones are out of wack? The signs of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) include:
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
- Rapid heart rate
- Changes to vision
- Intolerance to heat
- Feeling shaky/anxious
- Changes to menstrual cycle
- Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
- Weight loss with no loss of appetite
On the other hand, underactive thyroid symptoms (hypothyroidism) look like:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Constipation
- Low libido
- Dry skin/hair
- Sensitivity to cold
- Frequent or heavy periods
- Muscle weakness/soreness
- Unexplained weight gain
- Numbness and tingling in hands and feet
A simple blood test can determine your thyroid hormone levels and identify potential imbalances. A comprehensive thyroid blood panel will check your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) as well as thyroid antibodies.
Treatment for Thyroid Hormone Imbalances
We offer bioidentical hormone therapy to address all types of hormone imbalances, including thyroid hormones. These natural hormones are plant-based, and our compounding pharmacists can make a precise dose to ensure your body gets the exact amount of hormones it needs. We can also create the best dosing form for you, whether that’s an injection, dissolvable tablet, cream, etc.
We can also recommend lifestyle changes as well as supplements like the Thyroid Support Complex. This formula contains l-tyrosine and iodine, key components for the function of thyroid hormones, in addition to zinc, selenium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin D, essentials for a healthy thyroid cell metabolism.
The function of thyroid hormones is critical to your overall health and wellness, and we would be happy to speak with you about the treatment options mentioned above! Learn more about thyroid hormone replacement therapy and our medicine compounding services. We are ready and willing to help you identify a hormone imbalance and create a customized plan to correct the issue so you can get back to feeling like yourself again!
