What is the Thyroid gland?
The thyroid gland produces several hormones in both men and women, the most commonly known being triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The hormones it produces help convert oxygen and calories into energy, making the thyroid gland the master gland of the metabolism. These hormones are also essential for the proper functioning of all organs, including the heart, musculoskeletal system and brain.
Where is the Thyroid Gland Located?
The thyroid gland sits wrapped around the windpipe behind and below the Adam’s Apple area. This small bowtie-shaped gland sits low on the front of the neck. The thyroid gland has two side lobes, connected by a bridge (isthmus) in the middle. When the thyroid is its normal size, you can’t feel it. Brownish-red in color, the thyroid is rich with blood vessels. Nerves important for voice quality also pass through the thyroid.
Common Thyroid Gland Conditions
When it functions as it should, the thyroid will produce T3 and T4 at a 20% – 80% ratio. An under-production of these hormones will slow down the body’s metabolism, causing Hypothyroidism. Common symptoms of this condition are weight-gain despite eating sensibly, feeling cold, fatigue, depression and possibly increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when an excess of T3 and T4 speeds up the body’s metabolism and, if the mild condition is left untreated it can lead to complications such as severe weight-loss despite a healthy appetite, nervousness, staring eyes, accelerated heart rate and insomnia.
What Causes Thyroid Gland Conditions?
An estimated 27 million Americans have thyroid disease but more than half are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, with women being seven times more likely to experience problems with their thyroid gland than men.
Different things can contribute to thyroid gland problems including; autoimmune thyroidit is, heavy metal poisoning, iodine deficiency, Graves’ disease and nodule growth on the thyroid gland.
Has Your Thyroid Condition Been Misdiagnosed?
One problem with diagnosing thyroid gland conditions is that because symptoms of hypothyroidism often vary from person to person and are non-specific, the correct diagnosis can easily be missed. Many cases remain undiagnosed because some practitioners and the patients themselves, mistake the symptoms of hypothyroidism for depression, obesity or menopause.
Hyperthyroidism tends to run in families, occurring most often in young women. It is often misdiagnosed as an eating disorder, anxiety or stress.
Physicians often only measure TSH and total T4 which is not a comprehensive evaluation. There are six variables that need to be tested to completely evaluate the thyroid.
Proper Thyroid Gland Diagnosis
The thyroid gland affects all the other hormones in the body and its proper regulation is essential to good hormonal balance and health. With the disturbing increase in thyroid disease, an annual screening of thyroid gland is recommended. This should include blood tests that check on thyroid gland hormone levels and body iodine levels.
When a patient is suspected to have a thyroid disorder a comprehensive thyroid profile is ordered, in the form of a blood test. The test results will give precise measurements of Free T3 and T4 and their ratios to each other. If the results indicate that for example, the patient’s T3 level is too low then the patient will be checked for deficiencies in essential nutrients which are required for hormone production. Many times this will correct the thyroid without the need for prescription hormones.
Safe Natural Thyroid Gland Treatment
LifeWorks Wellness Center is long recognized as one of the foremost natural health clinics in the US. At our Tampa Bay, Florida alternative medicine office we have been offering all-natural thyroid treatment for thyroid gland disorders for a long time and many of our patients have benefitted from it. Our patients fly in from all over the world because they simply can’t find clinics offering comprehensive testing of the Thyroid gland and natural medicine for Thyroid disease where they live.
We have helped many patients with their health and we would love to help you, too. To become a patient or for more information feel free to call our New Patient coordinator at (727) 466-6789 or simply submit an online web inquiry with your request.
Learn More about Your Thyroid
- Visit the main Thyroid Treatment portal page with videos, patient success stories & more.
- Contact the best thyroid doctor in the Clearwater & Tampa Florida area!
