Too often physicians and patients attribute symptoms such as fatigue, forgetfulness, sleeplessness, weight gain and muscle loss to aging. It is expected to have these symptoms as we age and we are expected to learn to adjust and live with it; however, aging should not automatically be associated with these symptoms. Patients need to demand a thorough medical evaluation. The experts at the Anti-Aging and Wellness Clinic specialize in identifying and treating hormonal deficiencies.
Your thyroid gland is a small structure in your neck that produces hormones critical to the proper functioning of vital organs such as your brain, heart, kidneys, and liver, and plays a key role in your metabolism. The incidence of thyroid disease increases with age but the symptoms are usually subtler than in younger patients.
Hypothyroidism
It has been estimated that as many as 10 million Americans suffer from hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of certain important hormones. Since the thyroid aid in your metabolism, many people with this condition have symptoms associated with a slow metabolism. Most people who have an underactive thyroid gland will have low blood levels of T4 and high blood levels of TSH.
The signs and symptoms tend to develop slowly over a number of years and include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Dry skin
- Muscle weakness
- High cholesterol
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Muscle aches and stiffness
- Painful, stiff and swollen joints
- Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
- Thinning hair
- Memory loss
- Lack of focus
- Depression
- Decreased libido
- Irritability
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine which can significantly accelerate your body’s metabolism.
Symptoms can include:
- Sudden weight loss
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Sweating
- Irritability, nervousness, or anxiety
- Tremor
- Increased sensitivity to heat
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Increased number of bowel movements
- Changes in menstrual cycle
- Thin skin
- Fine or brittle hair
- Difficulty concentrating
Some things that can affect thyroid function are:
- Long-term low carb diet (Keto diet, Atkins diet)
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Poor digestion
- Chronic stress
- Inflammation
- Environmental toxins
Our professionals at the Anti-Aging and Wellness Clinic will help you develop a health plan that will optimize your physical health. After comprehensive testing, we will develop a customized treatment plan specific to your goals and needs. If you require hormone therapy we use only bio-identical hormones in pellet form or oral tablets compounded by a qualified pharmacy to meet your individual needs. Unlike synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones match the hormones your body produces allowing them to be easily metabolized without negative side effects.
During your free, initial, open-ended consultation, a physician at the Anti-Aging and Wellness Clinic will conduct a comprehensive lab analysis, discuss your medical history, nutrition, exercise plan, lifestyle and personal goals and then develop a health plan tailored to your individual needs. Contact us today and start feeling better tomorrow.