Thyroid Imbalance Symptoms

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Thyroid Imbalance Symptoms

Exhausted, moody and forgetful patients often come in with this common complaint: “I’m tired, but I can’t sleep, I’m gaining weight like crazy, and my head feels weird.” If you’ve been struggling with insomnia, brain fog or unexplained weight gain, it may be time to check your thyroid gland.

That little butterfly-shaped organ at the base of your neck may be producing too much or not enough thyroid hormone. So many biological functions are controlled by your hormones: energy, mood, metabolism, body temperature, sleep, sexual function, digestion, even hair and nail growth.

Endocrinologists often give patients one generic thyroid test and make a diagnosis based on a traditionally accepted but outdated “normal” range. Some traditional doctors get so frustrated with thyroid imbalance symptoms they refer patients to a psychiatrist!

Naturopathic doctors like Dr. Schertell and Dr. Mauss, on the other hand, understand that digging up the root causes of your symptoms takes time, patience and the highly integrative approach they’ve been practicing for over a decade.

Rather than dictating what thyroid hormone level is “normal” for everyone, they strive to determine what level is optimal – for you. They want to know what level will enable you to function and maintain your lifestyle. For them, “normal” means symptom-free. So, they delve deeper, and don’t stop testing and treating until you feel better.

Thyroid Imbalance Symptoms

If your body functions require more or less thyroid hormone than your gland is currently producing, you may be struggling with:

  • weight gain or weight loss
  • hair loss
  • fatigue
  • anxiety and irritability
  • depression
  • brain for and memory impairment
  • insomnia
  • constipation
  • neck swelling
  • dry, brittle nails
  • feeling too cold or too hot
  • abnormal periods
  • water retention
  • high blood cholesterol
  • frequent infections and colds
  • hand numbness
  • carpal tunnel syndrome

Some patients panic, fearing it’s thyroid cancer – a very rare condition. If you have nodules (lumps) on your thyroid gland Dr. Schertell and Dr. Mauss will have them evaluated to make sure they’re benign. Most likely your symptoms are being stimulated by your thyroid gland’s over or under production of thyroid hormone.

Hypothyroidism vs Hyperthyroidism

Hypothyroidism is diagnosed when your thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, potentially leading to weight gain, fatigue, feeling cold, muscle weakness, high cholesterol, joint pain or stiffness, and even depression.

Along with blood sugar regulating hormone and leptin resistance, low thyroid hormone can make losing weight very difficult – as your thyroid gland affects metabolic rate, blood sugar, affecting hunger and satiety.

Research has repeatedly demonstrated the link between hypothyroidism and obesity. That’s why Dr. Schertell and Dr. Mauss thoroughly investigate your energy production, basal metabolism and other weight loss saboteurs.

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: autoimmune inflammation disrupting the thyroid gland’s hormone production. Whole or partial surgical removal of the thyroid gland also disables thyroid hormone production.

Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed when a hyperactive thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormone than your body needs, causing fatigue, hair loss, irritability, weight loss and excessive sweating.

Unlike some traditional doctors, Dr. Schertell and Dr. Mauss won’t assume your exhaustion and moods are all in your head – they’ll tweak your hormone levels until you feel like yourself again.

Common hyperthyroidism causes include Graves’ disease (an autoimmune dysfunction) and thyroiditis (thyroid gland inflammation). Thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer are rare causes of an overactive thyroid.

Left untreated, both hyper- and hypothyroidism can enlarge the thyroid gland until it develops a goiter – which can cause your neck to swell and make swallowing difficult.

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Thyroid Disorder Testimonials

Dr. Darren Schmidt, DC
 
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"This really works! I’m a 65 year old fairly healthy woman and I’ve had so many noticeable changes in my health since starting as a patient of Dr. Darren Schmidt. I wanted to get off my medications when I started in early July 2018 and after two weeks, quit using my steroid inhaler. I’ve tried to quit before but after 3-4 weeks, my chronic cough would return and I’d have to start using it again. But four weeks went by and no cough. It’s now been five months and it’s still gone and I haven’t used the inhaler once. And..."
Dr. Darren Schmidt, DC
 
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"I had no energy! I felt terrible all the time. I wasn’t sleeping and had extreme anxiety and depression. I was seriously considering going on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs. My digestion was horrible and I had been on Armor Thyroid for years! I feel like a different person! I’m sleeping great. My digestion is so much better, I have energy and my anxiety is so much better. I was actually able to go off of all of my thyroid medications- my family doctor even told me to go off of it. I never thought this would happen! I’m no longer..."
Dr. Frank Aieta, ND
 
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"When I first came to Dr. Aieta, I had been to various specialists trying to get my thyroid under control. I had been placed on the thyroid medicine, Synthroid a few years back but still seemed to be suffering from symptoms of low thyroid. My symptoms included extreme fatigue, water retention and an inability to lose weight despite intense daily exercise and following a strict diet. Every doctor I would go to would look at my blood work and tell me that my thyroid was working properly and there was nothing more they could do. They would tell me I..."
Dr. Darren Schmidt, DC
 
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"I have seen an Endocronologist for 7.5 years prior with absolutely no results. For all those folks out there with Thyroid problems and auto immune related issues I highly recommend seeing Dr. Schmidt instead. Sad to say The Endo specialists have absolutely no idea how to treat you!! I am so happy and in debt to Marylin, my friend, who referred me to Dr Schmidt. A big thank you to Dr. Schmidt and the entire staff at The Nutritional Healing Center of Ann Arbor for helping me to be healthy!!"
Dr. Nicole Schertell, ND, CCT
 
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"I went to Dr Nicole Shertel for my thyroid after years of symptoms and no one would acknowledge I had an imbalance. She did blood tests and then explained the results like no other doctor had ever taken the time to do. I always leave with a better understanding of my body, and I love that. Not to mention I feel so much better. She definitely knows her stuff along with being very kind. I share her info with everyone. "
Dr. Nicole Schertell, ND, CCT
 
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"So I have been seeing Dr. Schertell for years, and she has been so helpful to me with my issues with chronic lyme, that I now have all three of my children in her care as well, for everything from Lyme to acne, to generalized anxiety disorder, to Iron deficiency anemia, to PMS, migraine headaches, heavy metal detox, and thyroid issues. SO much more helpful than my previous primary care physician!!! And she is the sweetest most caring person!"
Dr. Debra Muth, ND
 
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"I live on the East Coast and several years ago, I had some medical issues that multiple doctors (like 5) could not diagnose properly. One doctor said I had ADHD and depression at the same time! Desperate, I called Dr. Muth's office (as I grew up in Wisconsin and was very familiar with Dr. Konetski) and bought a plane ticket. Dr. Muth solved my issue (which was thyroid) in the matter of minutes and tested to verify. Later, my husband and I were having fertility issues - we..."
Dr. Joy Sturgill, ND
 
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"Dr. joy is wonderful! I sought her help after I was suffering severe fatigue, thyroid issues, anxiety, hair loss and GERD issues amongst other issues. I started seeing Dr. Joy last June and I feel like myself again. Dr. Joy gave me detoxes that helped immediately with my stomach issues. My gerd has pretty much has disappeared, my anxiety is less and have much more energy thanks to all her help. My hair also falls out less. Dr. Joy has also addressed some vitamin deficiencies as well which has helped my mood and energy. Dr. Joy is caring and listens..."
Dr. Rachel Rozelle, ND
 
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"I came to Dr. Rozelle last year with insomnia, anxiety/shaking, heart palpitations and an inability to stabilize my hypothyroid symptoms. I had previously been seen by my primary care doctor, a cardiologist and several endocrinologists with no relief of symptoms. I actually had little hope that any of my problems would be resolved, but Dr. Rozelle was very positive and confident. After a few visits she was able to formulate a plan of care that has not only greatly improved my sleep and ALL other symptoms, but has also been able to stabilize my thyroid levels. While..."
Dr. Debra Muth, ND
 
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"Debra Muth has been my primary care provider for 7 years - her approach to whole system wellness is the best medical experience, exactly what I need. She has successfully diagnosed and treated my hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue, torn meniscus, hyper extended knee and menopause expertly, with the latest medical knowledge and information. In the past I spent over $ 4000 during a 10 month period with Pro Health and their system of referrals for back pain. I was forced to finally buy my own MRI to find a herniated disk, pay a Radiologist to tell..."
Dr. Danny VanNoy, DC
 
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"After being diagnosed with thyroid disease and adrenal fatigue, I thought I was just destined to be dog tired for the rest of my life. DOG TIRED. I needed a solution, and I didn’t think it could hurt to see what the folks at Infinity Wellness had to say. Dr. Danny took the time to talk with me about how I have been feeling, and about some recent tests I had run. On the first visit, he had me out the door with a plan. In the first month, I felt my energy starting come back, my face completely cleared..."
Dr. Nicole Schertell, ND, CCT
 
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"I am feeling so much better thanks to Dr Nicole Schertell! She hit the nail on the head with my thyroid disorder. I am feeling like a new person In just 6 weeks. Highly recommend this office "
Jennifer Goldstock BSN, MSN, ANP-BC
 
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"Jennifer Goldstock is amazing. She absolutely listens to your symptoms or lack of symptoms, and works with you to get to the bottom of things. I've been told by my GP that I'm hypothyroid (or borderline), many times, although I have absolutely no symptoms. He wanted to put me on medication but it just didn't feel right to me. I went to Jennifer, she ran blood tests, recommended a vitamin, I adjusted my diet and my thyroid is testing normal. She is smart, she is passionate, and she CARES about her patients!!!"
Jennifer Goldstock BSN, MSN, ANP-BC
 
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"Jennifer Goldstock is amazing. She not only helped me balance my hormones and get my life back after years of struggling with symptoms related to thyroid dysfunction which were missed by my conventional doctor but she also saved my husbands life. My husband was having severe shortness of breath for a month and was being told he was just “getting older”. Jen insisted he get a full work up which resulted in a diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism. The doc told us he could have died had he not been treated right away. We recommend her highly and are so..."
Dr. Kenton Anderson, ND
 
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"I came to Dr. Anderson as a young person that has had far too many health problems (high blood pressure, stroke, breast cancer, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism) and on a day to day basis, I truly never felt good. I tried doing everything I could think of to feel better, like working out every day, eating right, etc., but it didn't make a difference. I knew I had to try something different, so I found Dr. Anderson. I am happy to say that stepping out of my lifetime "comfort zone" of western medicine not only improved my health, but it has..."

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