Low Thyroid Hormone in Women

We are currently in the midst of an “epidemic” of hypothyroidism, or low thyroid, among women. According to researchers, possibly tens of thousands of women go through every day suffering from “subclinical” thyroid disease, or disease that would show up as normal on a standard thyroid test even though women have symptoms including weight gain, loss of energy, and depression.

What’s the solution? Find a trusted doctor who understands how to diagnose and measure thyroid levels and can treat mild thyroid dysfunction.

Thyroid Imbalance: Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism

A healthy thyroid produces several hormones such as T3, T4 and calcitonin. In the body, T4 is converted to the active hormone T3, which stimulates metabolism.

An imbalance in thyroid hormones can occur when the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) or an excessive thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). Both of these conditions can lead to various symptoms and may increase your risk for cardiovascular disorders, obesity, and osteoporosis.

Women experiencing hypothyroidism may suffer the following symptoms:

On the other hand, women suffering from excess thyroid hormone, or hyperthyroidism, may experience these symptoms:

Women are at higher risk for developing thyroid disease, and hypothyroidism is much more common among women than hyperthyroidism. According to research, women are five to eight times more likely to have an imbalance in thyroid hormones than men, but most don’t know they have it. Most women overlook their symptoms or mistake them for other medical conditions. For example, postpartum women are at particularly high risk for developing thyroid disorders. Symptoms that women experience after childbirth can be very similar to the symptoms of thyroid disease.

If you are diagnosed with a thyroid hormone deficiency, your doctor will likely prescribe replacement thyroid hormone. This simple hormone can correct your thyroid hormone levels and help get rid of your symptoms. Some of the benefits of thyroid hormone treatment include:

• Improved energy
• Weight loss
• Improved mood
• Lower cholesterol levels
• Improved memory and cognition

Why Choose a Genemedics Health Institute for Natural Thyroid Replacement Therapy?

The physicians are Genemedics who are highly experienced in the field of thyroid hormone therapy. Our Genemedics Health Institute doctors will conduct a thorough exam and order blood tests to identify a potential thyroid hormone deficiency. If a deficiency is discovered, you will be prescribed thyroid replacement hormone, as well as other lifestyle and diet modifications to correct your imbalance and ease your symptoms.

Thyroid Hormone for Men

The thyroid gland is one of the body’s largest endocrine glands. It is located in the lower part of the neck below the Adam’s apple and consists of two connected lobes.
The thyroid gland is responsible for controlling metabolism, protein synthesis, and the body’s sensitivity to other hormones. It does this through the production of thyroid hormones, especially thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). In humans, T4 is converted to the active hormone T3, which stimulates metabolism. The thyroid also produces calcitonin, which plays a critical role in balancing calcium levels.

Hypothyroidism in Men

Low thyroid hormone levels in men can be caused by an underactive thyroid gland and low metabolism. This can lead to the following symptoms:

Hyperthyroidism in Men

Excess thyroid hormone in men is caused by the overproduction of thyroid hormones. This medical condition is called hyperthyroidism, which increases metabolism and produces symptoms including:

As men age, hyperthyroidism becomes more difficult to diagnose because the symptoms often decrease. To further complicate matters, the most common symptoms among older men are weight loss and depression, which are common symptoms of aging.

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are diagnosed with blood tests that measure TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), free T3, and T4. A physical exam is also part of a normal diagnostic workup. There is some controversy about the range of thyroid hormones that are considered “normal” or acceptable. Mainstream medicine generally accepts thyroid hormone levels that are too low. In reality, many people suffer from “subclinical” thyroid hormone deficiencies that would not be diagnosed by a traditional doctor but should still be treated. Your Genemedics Health Institute can help you understand what optimal ranges of thyroid hormone should be during your exam.

Benefits of Bioidentical Thyroid Replacement Therapy for Men

Thyroid replacement therapy/hormones for men are medications used to restore the balance of thyroid hormones in the body. Since thyroid hormones play a vital role in different biochemical processes in the body, such as growth and development of tissues, maintenance of brain function, regulation of body temperature and several other cellular processes, restoring low levels of these hormones can help reduce symptoms associated with thyroid hormone deficiency.

It is much easier to replace deficient thyroid hormone than it is to reduce high levels of thyroid hormone. A properly administered thyroid hormone replacement program may offer the following benefits:

• Decreases fatigue
• Decreases high cholesterol levels
• Decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease
• Decreases the risk of osteoporosis and other bone disorders
• Improves brain function
• Improves concentration
• Improves energy levels
• Improves memory
• Improves mood
• Improves quality of life
• Increases metabolic rate leading to fat reduction

Who Needs Bioidentical Thyroid Replacement Therapy?

Imbalance in thyroid hormones can result from a wide array of medical conditions. Patients who may benefit from thyroid replacement therapy include those with:

• Congenital abnormalities, including an absence of the thyroid gland
• Dysfunction in the pituitary gland or in the brain region called the hypothalamus
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (a chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland)
• Hodgkin’s disease
• Iodine deficiency
• Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland
• Those who are on radiation therapy
• Those who are on radioactive iodine treatment

Why Choose a Genemedics Health Institute Physician for Natural Thyroid Replacement Therapy?

At Genemedics Health Institute, our doctors take a more thorough approach to treating thyroid disorders. They treat the patient and not just the lab value by using the most effective combination of thyroid hormones. We aim to restore normal thyroid function as much as possible through comprehensive lifestyle programs and hormone replacement therapy.

It’s important to understand that every patient’s program will be different. How the body absorbs the hormones and patient response, along with the needed amount of hormones, is varied. Before our doctors begin any treatment, they make sure that your current levels of thyroid hormones are properly assessed so they can develop a thyroid replacement therapy regimen designed to suit your needs. As such, you should expect some degree of dosage adjustments and some modifications to determine what works best for you. You and your Genemedics Health Institute expert hormone therapy doctor will discuss what treatment option will best alleviate your symptoms of hormonal imbalance, allowing you to live a healthy, normal life.