Naturopath Or Naturopathic Doctor
A naturopath applies natural therapies to health conditions, often to compliment what youre receiving from a conventional or functional doctor. It includes natural healing practices .
They provide personalised care to each patient, and, similar to a functional pracitioner, they see the body as a holistic unity of body, mind, and spirit, aiming to address the body as one. They usually practice in a freelance environment, but have the option to work in hospitals, spas and healthcare, too. Not all naturopaths have medical degrees, so whilst some are Naturopathic Doctors, others are simply Naturopaths. Only those with medical degrees can write prescriptions such as those for thyroid medications.
You can come across a naturopath in a nutritional and family consultancy as well as in a beauty clinic for example, as some specialise in areas such as thyroid issues, infertility and skin complaints. Like functional medicine doctors or practitioners, you would usually pay to see a naturopath and costs can range to suit various budgets.
What Are The Symptoms Of Thyroid Nodules
Because many thyroid nodules are small, they may cause no symptoms. However, some nodules can cause the thyroid to grow , some can be overactive and lead to hyperthyroidism, and some can be thyroid cancers. If patients do experience symptoms they may include:
- A lump in the neck
- Difficulty swallowing
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What About Hashimoto’s & Graves’
Our Naturopathic Doctors can treat autoimmune Thyroid disease. We have experience treating both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease with Natural medicines. Hashimoto’s is extremely commonly seen at our Edmonton clinic. Our Naturopaths usually start with Food sensitivity Testing as well as stool testing are all suspect. We might also test for Viral infections – EBV is often a suspect in Hashimoto’s. Selenium and Vitamin D are both important in both Hashimoto’s and Graves’. High dose Iodine is an established treatment for Graves’ and can be as effective as Methimazole.
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What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
When To See A Thyroid Specialist
Tamara Wexler, MD, PhD, an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Health in New York City recommends seeing an endocrinologist at least once when youre first diagnosed with hypothyroidism to review your condition, your test results, and your treatment plan. After one or two visits, you may not need to keep seeing him or her regularly, she says. Thats when your primary care doctor can usually take over.
Other times it’s smart to see an endocrinologist are when:
Symptoms of hypothyroidism dont get better despite treatment. If you’ve been taking medication to replace your thyroid hormone for a while but your symptoms persist, you might want to see an endocrinologist for a second opinion, says Cathy Doria-Medina, MD, an endocrinologist with HealthCare Partners Medical Group in Torrance, California. Some people with hypothyroidism have a more difficult time finding the concentration of thyroid hormone medication that works best for them. In these situations, a specialist often can help, she says.
You have a thyroid nodule or lump. Your thyroid gland is located in the front of your neck, just below your voice box. If you have a lump, nodule, or other growth on your thyroid, an endocrinologist should examine it. Most are harmless , but once in a while a more serious change is happening. Five percent of thyroid nodules are cancerous, according to the Cleveland Clinic. And sometimes though its rare thyroid nodules actually cause hypothyroidism.
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What Is The Best Supplement For Thyroid
- The Rankings.
- #1 1 Body Thyroid Support.
- #2 PhytAge Labs Thyroid Rescue 911.
- #3 Vitapost Thyroid Support.
- #4 Healths Harmony Thyroid Support.
- #5 Zhou Nutrition Thyroid Support.
- #6 PhysioTru.
- #7- Pure Encapsulations Thyroid Support Complex.
Reason #: The Tsh Controversy
TSH alone is not enough to manage your thyroid condition. There is a big push in the thyroid advocacy world against the blindness of doctors of using TSH to treat thyroid patients.
There are a few reasons for that. Firstly, the range used by conventional doctors is 0.5 5.0 whereby functional and integrative practitioners would want to see a healthy person to have their TSH in the 1-2 range.
You see, I also had a perfect TSH of 1.6 to 1.8 even when my body was completely shutting down. This is due to reason #2, see below.
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The Best Treatment For Hypothyroidism Is Synthroid
If lying once about thyroid medication isnt bad enough this one actually involves lying twice.
The majority of doctors wont even prescribe any sort of thyroid medication aside from the typical T4-only options such as:
- Synthroid
- Unithroid
- Tirosint
Most doctors are quick to tell you that T4-only medications are the best or only option and that other options like desiccated thyroid are dangerous or unreliable.
Yet, research studies like the one below have shown that many people respond far better to desiccated thyroid than T4-only medications.
Thyroid Insufficiency. Is Thyroxine the Only Valuable Drug?
Results: The group of 89 patients, treated elsewhere with T4, but still complaining of symptoms of hypothyroidism, did not really differ from the group of untreated hypothyroid patients as far as symptoms and 24 h urine free T3 were concerned.
And not only did they respond far better to desiccated thyroid
These T4 treated patients actually presented with worse symptoms than the patients who were untreated and took no medication at all.
Then theres the second big lie about your thyroid medication
Most doctors are still telling their patients that of all thyroid medications available, Synthroid works best.
What your doctor isnt telling you is that the manufacturer of Synthroid in 1986 paid for a study to prove that Synthroid was superior to other similar T4-only medications.
Long story short
Yet, they still claim that Synthroid is somehow superior to other medications.
Our Naturopaths Have A Special Interest In Thyroid Health
We run comprehensive panels to precisely understand your Thyroid at our Edmonton Naturopath clinic. TruMed’s Naturopathic Doctors often run TSH, Free T3, Free T4 as part of our Thyroid Tests, as well as Cortisol and measure basal body temperature.
Our Naturopaths can also run reverse T3 as it is not available through Alberta health.Our clinic also offers Iodine testing to find out if this is a cause of your Thyroid issues.
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So Should I See An Endocrinologist
One of the common questions I receive from readers is whether they should see an endocrinologist once they have been diagnosed with Hashimotos.
Oftentimes, patients think that endocrinologists will have access to the latest and greatest advances in medicine, but this is not necessarily the case with Hashimotos.
While I have the utmost respect for the profession of endocrinology and believe that every person who has been diagnosed with Hashimotos should see an endocrinologist at least once for a full evaluation and a thyroid ultrasound, many patients with Hashimotos end up disappointed with the care they receive from their endocrinologists and conventional doctors.
This is because the conventional medical approach to treating thyroid disease focuses on replenishing thyroid hormone levels with the use of synthetic thyroid medications once the thyroid has burned itself out and can no longer produce its own thyroid hormones.
While there is a time and place to see an endocrinologist, I recommend that most people with Hashimotos find a functional medicine-minded practitioner who can help dig for root causes and take an individualized approach to treating the condition.
How To Find The Right Thyroid Doctor For You
You may think that if you’re struggling with hypothyroidism, the best choice is an endocrinologist. Endocrinologists have in-depth insight into the pathophysiology of endocrine diseases like hypothyroidism.
What’s most important, though, is that you choose a thyroid-savvy health care provider with whom you feel comfortable and whose goal is to help you safely achieve thyroid balance and symptom resolutionânot just “normal” lab test results.
So, where can you find that health care provider? Start by asking friends, family, colleagues, and other trusted providers in your area. You may get a referral for a great endocrinologist or another doctor. Often, primary care docs and gynecologists can be good choices. Or you may find a physician assistant or nurse practitioner who is up to the job.
You may also want to broaden your search by searching directories of integrative, holistic, and functional health care providers, including:
Donât overlook the benefits of telemedicine! Since the onset of the COVID pandemic, virtual medical care has exploded onto the scene, and it can be a game-changer.
Not sure where to start? In an increasing number of states across the United States, you can now access thyroid doctors virtually through the only medical practice dedicated to hypothyroidism care: Paloma Health.
How will you know that youâve found your perfect matchâthe thyroid health care provider who is totally into you?
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When You Have Symptoms Of Thyroid Conditions
If you have symptoms of any type of thyroid condition, whether you have fatigue and sluggishness, weight loss or weight gain, lack of appetite, or mood swings, you need to see your doctor. Even if youre not sure if you have a thyroid problem, you need to get it treated quickly if you do, since they can lead to more serious problems. All that is needed to diagnose a thyroid condition is taking your bloodwork. If you dont have it, your doctor should be able to figure out what is causing these symptoms.
More About Diagnosing Thyroid Diseases
Val Jones, MD, is the CEO of GetBetterHealth.com , a compilation of the best of the medical blogs. A transcript and the full audio podcast of this conversation can be found there.
ACP Internist addressed thyroid-related coverage from Internal Medicine 2009 here . The full audio of that session may be purchased here .
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Reason #: The T4 To T3 Conversion Issues
There is a list of vitamins and minerals that are key in converting T4 to T3. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are very common in most people today. This is due to a combination of reasons poor soil conditions of the food we grow, poor diet but also the highly compromised absorption ability of our gut.
When we experience poor digestive health even supplements cant help as the gut lining is just not absorbing the goodness of the food we are eating.
What Are The Treatment Options
Most thyroid nodules require no treatment. Depending on the type of nodule and related symptoms, different treatment options may be appropriate. In some cases, thyroid surgery is needed. Your endocrinologist or ENT specialist, or otolaryngologist, may order or perform:
- Thyroid function tests, including thyroid stimulating hormone
- Blood tests, or radiology examination
- An ultrasound to see the size and appearance of the nodule
- A fine needle aspiration biopsy, which is a safe, relatively painless procedure. In this procedure, a small needle is passed into the lump, and tissue samples containing cells are taken and then sent to a pathologist for testing.
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When To See A Doctor For Your Thyroid
In general, doctors recommend making an appointment with them if you have any signs of symptoms of a thyroid condition. That is because thyroid conditions lead to a wide range of medical problems, many of which can easily be remedied with simple thyroid treatments. Keep reading to find out more about getting medical treatment for your thyroid condition.
When to see a doctor for your thyroid condition
Comprehensive Hypothyroidism Diagnosis And Treatment
First, letâs look at whatâs involved in comprehensive, patient-oriented hypothyroidism diagnosis and treatment.
Testing
Test the thyroid-stimulating hormone level, free thyroxine , free triiodothyronine , and thyroid peroxidase antibody levels. This testing can be done at a doctorâs office, a lab, or the easiest and most convenient way, at home using a thyroid test kit.
Diagnosis
Diagnose hypothyroidism if TSH levels are above the lab cutoff. Also, diagnose hypothyroidism if the TSH levels, Free T4 and Free T3 levels are within the reference range but not âoptimal.â
Treatment
Treat hypothyroidism with whichever thyroid hormone replacement drug will safely and best optimize your thyroid levels. Types of thyroid medication include levothyroxine, liothyronine , natural desiccated thyroid, or a combination.
Address autoimmunity
Address autoimmunity with medical, nutritional, and lifestyle recommendations designed to help lower TPO antibodies and reduce inflammation in patients with autoimmune Hashimotoâs thyroiditis.
Lifestyle modifications
Alleviate lingering symptoms by providing additional guidance and recommendations for nutritional and dietary changes, thyroid-supportive supplements, and lifestyle changes to maximize your health and wellness.
Retest and adjust
Retest and adjust your treatment as often as needed until your thyroid levels are optimized, and you experience relief of your symptoms.
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When You Become Pregnant
If you are taking medication for a thyroid condition and you become pregnant, see your doctor right away. They need to run your bloodwork to see if your thyroid levels are changing and also determine if the medications you have been taking are safe to continue taking while pregnant.
For a full thyroid workup, I recommend consulting with a Functional Medicine practitioner, such as, myself. We keep up with the latest research and use Functional Medicine laboratories, which help to get to the root cause of the problems. I offer a For 30-Minute Thyroid Strategy session. You can book that here. I consult with clients all over the world.
Download my FREE Eat Right for Your Thyroid Crash Course here. I provide you with 5 days of recipes, meal plans, and a guide to help you reverse your thyroid symptoms. You can join my free Facebook group, where I help answer all of your questions related to diet and thyroid issues.
Expert Explains Thyroid Diagnosis Treatment And Common Red Flags
The estimate that 25 million people have thyroid problems would double if the normal range was adjusted, as some medical societies suggest. In this Web-only feature, Victor Bernet, FACP, the author of MKSAP 15’s chapter on disorders of the thyroid gland, offers his insights into management.
Victor Bernet, FACP, is Director of the National Capitol Consortium Endocrinology Fellowship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and the author of MKSAP 15’s chapter on disorders of the thyroid gland. He recently offered his insights on why thyroid disorders go undiagnosed, what alternative treatments are available, and how primary care physicians and specialists can work together to manage thyroid disease.
Q: It is estimated that more than 25 million Americans have thyroid disease, and as many as half the people with thyroid problems don’t even know it. In your view, what are the main reasons why so many thyroid disorders go undiagnosed?
A: I think the number is large because it includes mild cases of hypo- and hyperthyroidism as well as nodules that don’t necessarily have symptoms, and when they do, they come on so slowly that people misattribute them to other things. Take for example an elderly person with hypothyroidism. They may attribute their fatigue to normal aging.
Q: Should thyroid self-exams be recommended to the general population? What are the chances that a self-exam will turn up something clinically relevant?
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How Thyroid Nodules Are Treated
Once a thyroid nodule has been identified, an otolaryngologist will take steps to learn more about its character. Fine needle aspiration cytology may be used, in which a small needle collects a few cells of the nodule so that they may be examined under a microscope to help pinpoint a diagnosis. For some patients, it will be recommended that they simply have regular ultrasounds to monitor the nodules. Others may be treated with medications, while some thyroid nodules are best treated by surgical removal of part of the entire thyroid gland.
When You May Want To See An Endocrinologist
If you need an oncologist or a surgeon, you will know it, as either, you will have a diagnosis of thyroid cancer or a thyroidectomy will have already been recommended to you.
When that’s not the case, you may assume that an endocrinologist is a better choice for you than your primary care healthcare provider or OB/GYN. Endocrinologists specialize in the endocrine system, but not everyone with a thyroid condition needs to see one of these specialists. This is fortunate as there is currently a significant shortage of endocrinologists in the United States.
With conditions such as autoimmune hypothyroidism, people may actually receive better care from another specialist simply because they are able to see them more regularly many endocrinologists’ appointments are booked far into the future or they are not taking any new patients.
However, in certain circumstances and when particular conditions are already diagnosed , seeing an endocrinologist is a good idea:
- Symptoms of hypothyroidism persist despite “normal” lab tests
- TSH fluctuates unpredictably
- Heart disease along with a thyroid problem
An initial evaluation with an endocrinologist may also be helpful for those with new-onset Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and for those who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant with thyroid disease .
If you do see an endocrinologist, it’s important to find one who specializes in thyroid disease rather than another endocrine condition such as diabetes.
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