Could Your Unexplained Symptoms be Thyroid Disease?
How Functional Medicine Doctors Treat Thyroid Disease
Thyroid disease is an extremely common – but often misunderstood and misdiagnosed – condition that affects millions of people in the United States worldwide. Unfortunately, traditional medical approaches may overlook signs of thyroid dysfunction, leaving many patients without the comprehensive medical care they need to feel better and get their life back on track.
At Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI, Dr. Nishath Hakim employs a functional medicine approach to diagnose and treat thyroid disease, focusing on the whole person and the interrelated systems of the body to achieve optimal health. In this article she explains how functional medicine can identify and treat thyroid disease that may be leaving you feeling sick, tired, and even hopeless – so you can once again enjoy your quality of life!
Functional Medicine Approach to Thyroid Disease
At Prosperity Health in Royal Oak Dr. Nishath Hakim takes a functional medicine approach to thyroid disease that goes beyond merely addressing symptoms. It involves understanding the underlying causes and how various bodily systems are interconnected.
Traditional doctors often miss or misdiagnose thyroid disease because they do not perform comprehensive evaluations or consider the broader context of a patient’s health. We have had patients come to Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI, who had been told by other doctors that their low energy, weakness, depressed emotional state, weight gain, etc. was “all in their head” or due to menopause or “just part of getting older” – when in fact it was undiagnosed thyroid disease!
Functional medicine practitioners like Dr. Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak look at the entire person, considering factors such as genetics, environment, lifestyle, and nutrition, to identify and treat thyroid dysfunction more effectively. Comprehensive testing, explored below, is also implemented to find out exactly what is going on with your thyroid – and the rest of your body!
Symptoms of Thyroid Disease
Thyroid disease can present with a wide range of symptoms, often making it difficult to diagnose. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) are the two primary types of thyroid disease, each with distinct symptoms.
Hypothyroid Disease Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Cold intolerance
- Dry skin and hair
- Constipation
- Depression
- Muscle weakness
- Elevated cholesterol levels
Hyperthyroid Symptoms:
- Weight loss
- Rapid heartbeat
- Heat intolerance
- Increased appetite
- Nervousness or irritability
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Sleep disturbances
These symptoms can vary widely from person to person, and some individuals may experience only a few or very subtle symptoms, further complicating the diagnosis. That is why thorough testing by a skilled functional medicine doctor is the best way to identify thyroid disease.
How Functional Medicine Doctors Diagnose Thyroid Disease
Functional medicine doctors like Dr. Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak use comprehensive and advanced laboratory testing to diagnose thyroid disease accurately. This approach ensures a thorough understanding of thyroid function and its impact on the body.
Comprehensive Thyroid Panel
A functional medicine doctor will order a complete thyroid panel, which includes:
- Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH): Measures the pituitary gland’s signal to the thyroid to produce hormones.
- Free T4 (Thyroxine): The primary hormone produced by the thyroid gland.
- Free T3 (Triiodothyronine): The active form of thyroid hormone that regulates metabolism.
- Reverse T3: Measures the inactive form of T3, which can provide insights into thyroid hormone conversion issues.
- Thyroid Antibodies: Tests for autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease, including Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb).
Additional Laboratory Tests
To get a complete picture of thyroid health, functional medicine doctor Nishath Hakim, MD may also order tests to assess:
- Adrenal Function: Since adrenal health is closely linked to thyroid function.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: Including iodine, selenium, zinc, and iron, which are essential for thyroid health.
- Inflammatory Markers: To detect chronic inflammation that can affect thyroid function.
- Gut Health: As gut health can influence thyroid hormone absorption and conversion.
By analyzing these detailed test results, Dr. Hakim can identify subtle thyroid dysfunctions and related health issues that may be overlooked by conventional testing methods.
How Functional Medicine Doctors Treat Thyroid Disease
Once a comprehensive diagnosis is made, functional medicine doctors Nishath Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak uses a multi-faceted approach to treat thyroid disease, focusing on bringing the body into balance.
Individualized Thyroid Disease Medications
Thyroid disease treatment often includes thyroid hormone replacement therapy. The type and dosage of medication are tailored to each patient’s specific needs, whether it’s synthetic thyroid hormones like levothyroxine or natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) medications. Regular monitoring and adjustments by Dr. Hakim ensure optimal hormone levels.
Hormone Balancing with BHRT
If necessary, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) may be used to balance other hormones that interact with thyroid function. This is particularly relevant for patients experiencing menopause, andropause, or adrenal dysfunction. BHRT uses hormones that are chemically identical to those the body naturally produces, ensuring better compatibility and effectiveness.
Diet, Nutrition & Thyroid Disease
Diet plays a crucial role in thyroid health. Dr. Hakim provides personalized dietary recommendations to support thyroid function, focusing on nutrient-dense foods rich in iodine, selenium, zinc, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Eliminating foods that may trigger inflammation or autoimmune responses, such as gluten or processed foods, can also be beneficial.
Targeted supplementation may be prescribed by Dr. Hakim to address specific deficiencies and support overall thyroid health. Common supplements include iodine, selenium, vitamin D, B vitamins, and probiotics to enhance gut health. These supplements are selected for you by Dr. Hakim, based on your individual test results to ensure they meet your unique needs.
Thyroid Disease Doctor | Royal Oak
At Prosperity Health in Royal Oak Dr. Nishath Hakim utilizes a customized, whole-person approach to treat thyroid disease. By employing advanced diagnostic testing and a comprehensive treatment strategy, functional medicine addresses the root causes of thyroid dysfunction and brings the body into balance. This method not only alleviates symptoms but also promotes long-term wellness and vitality.
If you suspect you may be suffering from thyroid disease, or another undiagnosed or underlying condition that is compromising your health and well-being, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hakim Prosperity Health in Royal Oak today – and embark on a personalized journey towards optimal thyroid health and overall well-being.
