Your Thyroid: The Tiny Gland with a Mighty Impact
While discussing what longevity means as we age through midlife, how we feel physically is a very important part of that journey. I’d like to introduce Heather Samudovsky, a physician assistant (PA) with prior experience in endocrinology and interventional radiology (prior to becoming a PA) she was an ultrasound technologist for about 10 years. She will be providing some insight on the thyroid. -Jen
Your Thyroid: The Tiny Gland with a Mighty Impact
Let’s discuss a very important endocrine (hormone producing) gland in the body which can often be overlooked-the thyroid! The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped structure, which sits in the front part of the neck. It produces thyroid hormone, which is responsible for so many functions. Some of these functions include: heat/cool center in the brain, respiration and heart rate, digestion, and energy level.
Symptoms of low (or under active thyroid) can include the following symptoms:
Fatigue
Difficulty losing weight/weight gain
Dry skin
Hair loss
Brittle nails
Constipation
Cold intolerance
Hoarseness
Muscle weakness
Brain fog
Mood instability
Numbness in hands
For women, irregular menstrual cycles
A simple prescription pill you take daily and/or supplements can help promote thyroid health and function. It is best to work with your health care provider to determine the proper treatment. Monitoring the treatment and dose with routine follow-up appointments and lab work is a vital part of the treatment plan.
One supplement, L-Carnitine, can improve the efficacy of your thyroid medication.
While the thyroid may be small in size, it packs a pretty powerful punch! It is easy to see how having this hormone out of balance can cause a decrease in quality of life, and if left untreated can lead to some pretty serious health conditions.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, I encourage you to contact your provider (or schedule a consultation at PremierU) and inquire about thyroid function testing. While the above symptoms could be caused from something else, assessing thyroid levels is a great place to start. It is also important to note the American Thyroid Association recommends routine checking of thyroid function starting at age 35 and every 5 years after, for individuals who do not have thyroid symptoms or risks factors for thyroid disease, such as a family history of thyroid disorders.
Also, very import to note, if you have the any of the above signs or symptoms and your thyroid function is at goal, there are several other hormones/laboratory studies that can be assessed. The thyroid is one of several glands responsible for producing hormones and often times process of elimination is the key to establishing the diagnosis and then implementing a treatment plan!
However, assessing thyroid is an excellent place to start with the above concerns. Having optimal thyroid function is key to helping you feel your best and live a happier, healthier life!
Can you share what you commonly hear from women when they finally get answers about their thyroid—especially after thinking their symptoms were just part of aging, stress, or midlife?
Main word that comes to mind when women get answers-relief! They are happy to have a reason for their symptoms and excited to start a treatment plan to start feeing better!
Once someone starts addressing her thyroid health, what are some of the first changes she might notice in her day-to-day life that make her feel more like herself again?
Increased energy and less brain fog are the two of the first big changes, along with losing weight becomes easier.
Does Premier U offer testing that would signal further follow up with a doctor?
We do a variety of in-depth tests and studies and manage a wide variety of medical conditions here. However, if it is something that is not in our scope of practice, we will recommend the patient follow-up with PCP/specialist and provide them a copy of their results.
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13 Wolf Creek Dr, Swansea, IL 62226
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