Thyroid Deficiency

Low thyroid (hypothyroidism) is prevalent in both men and women affecting 10-16% of the population with an estimated 5% of the population being undiagnosed by their health care providers. Low thyroid levels can cause fatigue, weakness, low libido, hair loss, erectile dysfunction, decreased muscle mass and strength, weight gain, breast swelling and infertility. Thyroid disorders can create havoc for all of your hormones. HRT-MD treats the root causes of imbalance. Are you ready to take back control of your life at HRT-MD?

What Does the Thyroid Gland Do?

The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism, but are also involved with growth and development. Thyroid hormone receptors are found in every cell of the body and play an especially important role in the control of heart rate, body temperature, muscle function, digestion, brain development and function, and the maintenance of strong bone structure. The thyroid gland is controlled by a complex feedback mechanism involving the pituitary gland found in the brain. The pituitary secretes thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which instructs the thyroid to produce both thyroxine (T4 - the precursor or storage form of thyroid hormone) and triiodothyronine (T3 - the active thyroid hormone). Your body will convert T4 into T3 when it senses the need to increase thyroid hormone activity. During times of stress with high cortisol production your body may convert T4 into Reverse T3 which is an isomer of T3. Reverse T3 will bind to the T3 receptors but won’t activate the cells - a condition best illustrated by bears when they hibernate for the winter. An HRT-MD clinician can use specialized blood tests to determine if you too may be “hibernating”.

What Causes Low Thyroid Function?

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that results in an overactive immune system destroying healthy thyroid gland tissue. It can also be caused by an iodine deficiency although this is rare in Western civilizations. Excessive stress heralded by high cortisol levels can cause your T4 to be converted into reverse T3 which creates a state of hypothyroidism; although most doctors don’t run the needed laboratory testing to identify this condition. A far less common cause is a dysfunctional pituitary gland that isn’t producing TSH, and hence no stimulus for the thyroid to make thyroid hormone.

What Are Symptoms of Low Thyroid Hormone Levels?

Since thyroid hormone receptors are found on every cell of the body, the list of symptoms associated with hypothyroidism is long. Some of the more common include:

Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidsm (Low Thyroid Hormone Levels)