It is time again for “Ask the Doctor.” I particularly enjoy this monthly feature because it gives me an opportunity to answer your questions and help you on your path to health and wellness.
If you have a question or health concern that you would like me to address, please visit the Hotze Health & Wellness Facebook page and send me a private message. Mention Katy Christian Magazine in the subject line.
Getting the Right Diagnosis and Treatment for Hypothyroidism
Hi Dr. Hotze, I need help. I am so tired all the time that I have to take naps whenever I can and it’s hard to keep up with the kids and work. I also have been struggling with constipation, brain fog, headaches, weight gain, joint pain and I’m cold all the time. I did research and thought it could be hypothyroidism, but my doctor did a blood test and said it was normal. But I don’t feel normal at all. What else could this be? – Ellie M.
Thank you for your question, Ellie. These are very common symptoms of hypothyroidism that many women and men experience. Unfortunately, one of the biggest frustrations that people share with me is not getting their doctor to listen to them and not getting properly diagnosed for hypothyroidism, but rather sent on their way with prescriptions for each symptom. You are not alone, and there is a natural solution to help you.
Hypothyroidism is one of the main conditions we successfully treat at my wellness center, the Hotze Health & Wellness Center. We hear this complaint about conventional doctors all the time.
I do want to stress that men can get hypothyroidism, too, not just women. Children and young adults can be affected by low thyroid function, as well. There is a reason they check a newborn baby’s thyroid – it governs their growth and development. It also regulates your metabolism. Proper thyroid function is crucial for people at all ages throughout their entire life.
First, what is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when your thyroid gland is underactive and does not produce enough thyroid hormones for your body to grow, develop and function as it should. If your thyroid gland is making enough thyroid hormones, it is possible that those hormones are not being properly used at the cellular level, and if so, then you can still experience the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Common Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
- Loss of energy (malaise/fatigue)
- Difficulty losing weight
- Weight gain
- Fluid retention
- Enlarged tongue with teeth indentations
- Cold extremities and cold sensitivity
- Cold intolerance
- Difficulty concentrating and short-term memory loss
- Muscle pain and cramps
- Joint pain
- Tiredness after a full night’s sleep
- Recurrent and chronic infections
- Decreased mental sharpness, “brain fog”
- Hair loss
- Dry skin
- Brittle fingernails with ridging
- Low basal body temperature
- Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
- Depression or mood swings
- Constipation
- Menstrual irregularities
- Headaches
- Enlarged thyroid gland
Why is hypothyroidism commonly misdiagnosed by conventional doctors?
“My doctor said my blood work is normal.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that statement from my guests (we call our patients “guests”). Just because your lab tests come back in the normal range does not necessarily mean that you don’t have hypothyroidism.
This is the problem with conventional testing for hypothyroidism: Doctors only look at a single blood test, the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).
The TSH blood test is not the most accurate way to diagnose hypothyroidism. While your thyroid gland may be producing enough thyroid hormones so that the TSH blood test falls within the normal lab range, your cells may not be able to use those hormones efficiently, which is why you would still have symptoms of hypothyroidism. Most conventional doctors miss this, dismiss your symptoms as a part of getting older and prescribe prescription drugs in an attempt to mask your symptoms.
So, why does the normal laboratory range fail the patient?
The “normal laboratory range” of the TSH is an arbitrary value, defined statistically as plus or minus two standard deviations from the mean. This so-called “normal range” is as wide as the Grand Canyon and as tall as the Empire State Building. In practice, it means that approximately 90-95 percent of the population will always fall within the normal range. However, it’s assured that 90-95 percent of the population does not feel healthy, well, or full of energy.
What can you do to restore optimal thyroid function?
It’s simple – replace what is missing. Restoring optimal thyroid function with bioidentical thyroid can reverse symptoms of low thyroid function. Bioidentical compounded T3/T4 thyroid hormones contain both the active thyroid hormone (T3) and the inactive thyroid hormone (T4), which are identical to the thyroid hormones made by your body. Bioidentical hormones are customized for each person to provide a unique treatment. We compound T3/T4 at my compounding pharmacy, Physicians Preference Pharmacy International.
Get Your Life Back!
At the Hotze Health & Wellness Center, we listen. We are your health coach and you are the athlete. We work with you to address the underlying cause of your symptoms, naturally.
If you are struggling with symptoms of hypothyroidism or hormone decline and imbalance, then take our symptom checker to help find out what’s going on. Contact us at 281-698-8698 for a complimentary wellness consultation with a Wellness Consultant. It will be our privilege to serve you!
Did you know that we also offer programs on ADHD/Brain Support, Postpartum Depression,
Fatty Liver Disease, Autoimmune Disease and Long-Haul Syndrome? Call us today to find out more!
COMPLIMENTARY E-BOOKS BY DR. STEVEN HOTZE
If you would like to learn more about natural approaches to health, including hormone balance and hypothyroidism, then click here to get a complimentary copy of all 4 of Dr. Hotze’s e-books!
Keep Your Questions Coming
I hope these suggestions are helpful to you and to others who are dealing with these common problems. Keep your questions coming! Send me a private message on Hotze Health & Wellness Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HotzeHWC/. Don’t forget to mention Katy Christian Magazine in the subject line. And remember, there’s no such thing as a dumb question.
To learn more about the Hotze Health & Wellness Center and schedule a Free Wellness Consultation, call us at 281-698-8698 or visit hotzehwc.com.
