Here at Riverside Village Clinic in Nashville, we see patients for a variety of health concerns, from primary care and gut wellness to cardiovascular support. Our staff are also expert hormone specialists, including the thyroid and its very important hormones responsible for metabolism, body temperature regulation, and so much more. We want to share some helpful information about hypothyroidism and common underactive thyroid symptoms so you’re better equipped to manage your health more effectively.
What Is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone, and one of its causes can be an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto’s Disease, the most common type of underactive thyroid. Another reason could be that your pituitary gland has stopped working and no longer signals the thyroid to make its hormones. This is called secondary hypothyroidism. If you are pregnant or had a baby within the last 6 months, postpartum thyroiditis is also a possibility. Overall, thyroid problems are common, and both men and women can suffer from an underactive thyroid. However, you have a much greater risk of being diagnosed with hypothyroidism if you are a woman over 50 with a family history of thyroid disease, have an iodine deficiency, or have another condition such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or Turner syndrome. Keep reading for some symptoms of an underactive thyroid you should watch out for.
Common Underactive Thyroid Symptoms
An imbalance of your thyroid hormones can develop slowly, and you may not notice any symptoms for a long time. These gradual changes can often be overlooked or even associated with feelings of depression; however, these are common underactive thyroid symptoms you need to be aware of:
- Fatigue
- Hoarse voice
- Puffy face
- Constipation
- Dry hair and skin
- Thin, brittle nails
- Slowed heartbeat
- Brain fog
- Weight gain
- Sensitivity to cold
- Joint or muscle pain
- Hand tingling or numbness
- Irregular menstrual cycle
When your thyroid and endocrine system are not functioning well, your body will send you signals via these common symptoms. Let your doctor or a medical professional know as soon as you start to notice a change in your health and mood in order to get a proper diagnosis and adequate treatment as soon as possible. Preventative medicine by means of annual checkups can also help to find hormone imbalances before they become a bigger issue later on.
How Can Our Nashville Clinic Help You?
We are committed to providing top-notch women’s health services, which include treatment for an underactive thyroid. But first, we will conduct thorough lab testing to determine the exact cause of your symptoms, and that will influence our decision on the best path forward. Hormone replacement therapy could be one of the options we discuss with you. Our Nashville clinic uses only bioidentical hormones, a natural alternative to synthetic hormones that have the same chemical structure as your body’s hormones. We will create a personalized plan and a custom dose of BHRT to ensure your hormone levels get back to normal efficiently. Plus, we have a sister pharmacy with the ability to compound prescriptions, so it’s easy to get tailor-made medication for your thyroid hormone imbalance.
Learn more about hormone therapy and schedule an appointment with one of our holistic healthcare professionals today!
