So you found out you have Hypothyroidism, now what?: Root Causes & Steps for Thyroid Health
Getting a diagnosis of hypothyroidism can be overwhelming, but it's also an excellent opportunity to take control of your health. Understanding the condition, its root causes, and the necessary steps to manage it is crucial. In this blog, I'll break down what hypothyroidism is, its underlying causes, and actionable steps you can take to support your thyroid health.
1. What exactly is Hypothyroidism?
Understanding what Hypothyroidism is and how it affects your body is the first step towards managing it effectively. The thyroid gland (a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck) produces hormones that control the speed of your metabolism, digestive function, brain development, and more. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough T3 and T4 (thyroid hormones) to meet the body's needs. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, and more.
2. Identify Root Causes:
While hypothyroidism can have various triggers, identifying the root cause(s) is essential. Nutrient deficiencies, environmental toxins, and underlying health conditions can contribute to thyroid dysfunction. Each person's body is unique and may react to environmental factors differently. Working with a practitioner to discover your specific root cause is the most efficient way to personalize protocol for your unique body.
3. Cut Out Toxic Products:
Reducing exposure to toxins is crucial for supporting thyroid health. Many everyday products, such as cosmetics, household items, and packaged food, contain hormone-disrupting chemicals that negatively impact thyroid hormone levels. Swap out conventional products for non-toxic alternatives.
4. Embrace Whole Foods:
A nutrient-dense diet is vital for supporting thyroid function and overall health. Focus on whole foods rich in essential nutrients like selenium, iodine, and zinc. We suggest removing processed foods in order to support healing.
5. Consider Running a Full Thyroid Panel:
A comprehensive thyroid panel provides valuable insights into your thyroid function beyond standard blood tests. As we always like to say: test, don't guess! Download our freebie on thyroid labs to learn more about interpreting your thyroid panel results.
6. Consider Running Functional Labs:
Functional labs such as a Full Thyroid Panel, GI-MAP, HTMA, and Organic Acid offer a deeper understanding of underlying imbalances that may impact thyroid health. T4 converts to T3 in the gut and liver, so learning more about your gut health through the GI-MAP will be invaluable to supporting your thyroid. The HTMA evaluates mineral and heavy metal levels, so indicators like the calcium-to-potassium ratio will provide valuable insights into thyroid activity. The Organic Acid will detect nutrient deficiencies and fungal overgrowth that directly affect the health of the thyroid gland. The GI-MAP, HTMA, and OAT results will tailor a thyroid-supporting plan to your specific needs.
Managing hypothyroidism requires a holistic approach that addresses underlying causes and supports overall health and well-being. By educating yourself, making lifestyle changes, and seeking appropriate testing and treatment, you can take proactive steps toward optimizing your thyroid health and reclaiming whole-body wellness.
If you are ready to get to the ROOT cause of hypothyroidism in your unique body, check out our signature program, Thriving Thyroid Solution
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28336049/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19913515/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37578378/
