Naturopathic Solutions For Hyperthyroidism
Are you feeling anxious, irritable, or restless?
Are you suddenly losing weight, and you’re not sure why?
Have you been having difficulty falling asleep, or staying asleep?
If so, these are some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
As a naturopathic doctor in Toronto, Dr. Pat has a special interest in treatments for thyroid disorders.
Hyperthyroidism can make life more difficult and, in extreme cases, it may be deadly. However, there are naturopathic solutions which can help.
Find out more about this disorder, and how Dr. Pat can help if you struggle with it.
What Is Hyperthyroidism?
Your thyroid is a small gland located in the front of your neck, just above your collarbone. It wraps around your windpipe like a butterfly.
Your thyroid is responsible for a number of your body’s processes. In particular, your thyroid controls:
- Your heart rate
- Your metabolism
- Your mood
- Your digestive health
Your thyroid does this by releasing hormones. These hormones send signals to the different parts of your body, telling them how to behave.
If your thyroid is producing hormones at the rate it should, the above process will run optimally. But if it isn’t, it can cause a variety of problems. If it’s underperforming, the condition is called hypothyroidism. If it’s overperforming, it’s hyperthyroidism.
The names are similar, so they may get confusing. Hypo comes from the Greek, meaning “beneath”, and hyper is from the Greek “above”. A good way to remember the difference is to think of a hypodermic needle. It goes hypo – beneath – your skin.
Hyperthyroidism can dramatically speed up your metabolism, causing some damaging results.
What Causes Hyperthyroidism?
The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease. However, it’s not the only cause. If it isn’t Graves’ disease, it may be linked with:
- Thyroiditis (inflamed thyroid)
- Too much dietary iodine
- Toxic multinodular goiter
- Too much intake of thyroid hormone medication
- Functioning adenoma
- Abnormal secretion of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
Symptoms Of Hyperthyroidism
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may be experiencing hyperthyroidism:
- Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Increased heart rate
- Shaking hands
- Thinned skin and hair
- Moodiness and mood swings
- Chronic Fatigue
- Increased heat sensitivity
- Unexplained weight loss
- An enlarged thyroid gland
- Frequent bowel movements
- Menstrual irregularities
Naturopathic Treatment For Hyperthyroidism
Have you been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism?
Or, having read the symptoms above, do you believe you may have hyperthyroidism?
If so, the first step is to find out what’s causing it. By working to uncover the root cause, it can be easier to provide a treatment for this disorder.
Hyperthyroidism is inconvenient and frustrating. It can make life more difficult. But it’s more than that. In fact, if left untreated, hyperthyroidism can be fatal.
That’s because hyperthyroidism can lead to a life-threatening event called thyroid storm. During thyroid storm, your heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature all skyrocket to dangerously high levels.
If you’re dealing with thyroid storm, you’ll sweat profusely, feel restless and anxious, feel a pounding and rapid heartbeat, feel confused and experience diarrhea, and eventually, lose consciousness.
This is an emergency, life-threatening situation. If left untreated, it has a 75% mortality rate.
If you or someone you know is experiencing thyroid storm, get to an emergency room immediately.
The best way to prevent thyroid storm is to address your hyperthyroidism before it gets to that point.
Book An Appointment With Dr. Pat
Dr. Pat Nardini is a naturopathic doctor with a special interest in thyroid conditions.
As a result, he has seen many patients over the years with hyperthyroidism.
If you’re dealing with hyperthyroidism, or you suspect you may be, Dr. Pat will begin with a thorough assessment of your current level of health.
Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are similar to that of other disorders, so it’s important to be sure it’s hyperthyroidism you’re dealing with.
Once other possibilities have been ruled out, Dr. Pat will work to uncover what’s causing your hyperthyroidism in the first place. The most likely culprit is Graves’ disease, but there are other possibilities as well.
From there, Dr. Pat will provide you with a treatment plan designed to address the root cause of your hyperthyroidism.
Naturopathic treatments can help you control your hyperthyroidism, keeping it manageable so you can live a happier, healthier life.
Book an appointment with Dr. Pat today to find out more.