Thyroid disease is common, particularly in women. Hormone fluctuations and imbalances can wreak havoc on the body and lower your quality of life, so we want to share some insight into thyroid hormones, the signs of dysfunction, how thyroid hormone testing works, and natural treatment options available at our local pharmacy!
Thyroid Hormones: What Are They?
The thyroid gland is located in the neck, producing hormones that regulate metabolism, body temperature, energy levels, and more. It releases two main hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). If your thyroid starts to be dysfunctional, an imbalance occurs– either low thyroid function or too high. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, resulting in symptoms such as constant fatigue, weight gain, and sensitivity to cold. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much hormone, resulting in symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, sensitivity to heat, and an elevated heart rate.
Thyroid Hormone Testing: Why Is It Important?
In order to find out if the symptoms you’re experiencing are the result of a thyroid hormone imbalance, a blood test is necessary. You want a test that checks the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), as well as T4 and T4 for an in-depth look, and our comprehensive blood test includes all that and more– TSH, fT3, fT4, and TPOab:
- The TSH marker assesses thyroid function overall.
- The Free T3 marker provides information about the amount of active thyroid hormone available in the body.
- The Free T4 marker helps determine the amount of thyroid hormone being produced by the thyroid gland and helps evaluate conditions such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
- The TPOab (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies) marker reveals the risk and probability of the destruction of thyroid tissue, resulting in an underactive thyroid.
This non-invasive home collection kit is a simple and convenient way to evaluate your hormone health, and once we have the results back from the lab, we can create a customized treatment plan.
Thyroid Hormone Replacement: Are There Natural Treatment Options?
If you do have a hormonal imbalance, one of the best options for getting your hormones back on track is hormone replacement therapy. We use natural hormone replacement known as bioidentical hormones. What is bioidentical hormone therapy? It simply means that the hormones are made in a lab, derived from plant sources rather than traditional hormone therapy typically made from pregnant horse urine. Bioidentical hormones are identical in structure to those your body produces naturally! As a compounding pharmacy, we can personalize the dosage strength and form, from liquids to dissolvable tablets, injections, and more.
You may also benefit from our Thyroid Support Vitamin Pak, a blend of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin D, L-tyrosine, iodine, zinc, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). These supplements work well together to maintain and support optimal thyroid function, and you can rely on our pharmacy staff for answers regarding the best path forward for your specific needs.
Get your essential thyroid panel from LeFave Pharmacy, and let us help you get your hormone levels back on track! Thyroid hormone testing will reveal whether you could benefit from BHRT or supplements. Our team is ready to help offer guidance and expertise every step of the way, putting your needs first, always!
