An underactive thyroid can really impact your day-to-day life. Caused by low levels of thyroxine and triiodothyronine (both are thyroid gland hormones), hypothyroidism is often manageable.
Let’s talk about how you can feel and function better despite a low-performing metabolism and where you can go for the treatment of hypothyroidism in Oviedo, FL.
Causes of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism causes many uncomfortable and life-impacting symptoms in people of all ages and walks of life, but more frequently in women. These symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, mental fog, hair loss, dry skin, sensitivity to temperature changes, and more.
Low thyroid symptoms typically do not resolve by themselves but continue to increase over time. Many cases of underactive thyroid are detected on routine blood work during an annual wellness examination with the patient’s PCP or other healthcare providers.
The causes of hypothyroidism include Hashimoto’s disease, radiation therapy to the neck, thyroid removal, and more. Researchers believe there is a strong autoimmune component associated with thyroid dysfunction.
What Your Healthcare Provider Can Do for You
Your provider can give you a complete physical examination, discuss your symptoms and run blood tests to reveal the thyroid hormone levels in your body. Sometimes, specialists do thyroid scans or radioactive iodine uptake tests to reveal abnormalities in thyroid structure–cancer or benign nodules as examples.
With the findings, your doctor may prescribe oral medications which replace T3 and T4, giving your metabolic processes the boost they need. Because most hypothyroidism is permanent, you will take this medication for the rest of your life. People welcome the positive changes their replacement therapies make in their daily function and well-being.
Managing Hypothyroidism at Home
Because thyroid patients take replacement hormones, routine monitoring of blood levels is critical to symptom management. Be sure to see your provider as directed. Although your symptoms will decrease–usually over the course of weeks to months–taking medication does not cure hypothyroidism.
To continue properly managing your thyroid function at home, here are some tips to keep you feeling your very best as time passes.
Tip #1 Take Meds as Directed
Never change your dosage without first consulting with your healthcare provider. Also, ensure to take your medicine on an empty stomach for the best absorption and therapeutic action.
Tip #2 Avoid Iron and Calcium Supplements
If you have to take iron or antacid medications containing calcium, magnesium, or aluminum, take them at least 4 hours away from the thyroid medication as these elements interfere with the absorption and therapeutic action of the synthetic thyroid hormones.
Tip #3 Tell Your Provider If You Are Taking Ulcer Medicines or Cholesterol Lowering Drugs
These meds can interfere with the action of your thyroid medication.
Tip #4 Avoid Supplements That Contain Biotin
Take no Biotin for one week prior to your routine blood draws. Biotin, a hair and nail supplement, can interfere with your thyroid numbers.
Tip #5 Avoid Some Foods When Taking Your Thyroid Medications
These foods include walnuts and soybeans. Check your food labels, too.
Tip #6 Consume Whole Foods
Generally, foods as close to nature help maintain good overall health. Try to avoid processed foods, especially those high in sugar and salt.
Tip #7 Exercise, Sleep, and Reduce Stress
Your metabolism and thyroid function will benefit from fresh air, light aerobic activity, at least eight hours of sleep each night, and lowered stress levels. Pray, meditate, and be conscious of situations that cause you anxiety.
The Best Guidance for Dealing with Hypothyroidism
At Diabetes & Weight Loss Center in Oviedo, FL, our Nurse Practitioner, Adriel Perez, and his team help people develop healthier lifestyles to manage ongoing problems, such as diabetes, obesity, hypothyroidism, and more. We are a bilingual facility dedicated to individualized patient care and education.
To learn more about hypothyroidism and self-management skills, call us today at (407) 890-1876. If you would like to schedule a consultation, fill out our convenient online appointment request form.
