Could you be affected? It is estimated that 59 million Americans have a problem with their thyroid but most of them do not know it. Here are the top 10 signs that you may have a thyroid problem:

• Fatigue: Waking up feeling un-refreshed after having 8-10 hours of sleep or not being able to go throughout your day without taking a nap regularly may be signs of a slow thyroid. On the other hand, having problems sleeping at night and feeling exhausted the next day may be signs of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroid).Changes in weight: You're watching what you eat, how much you eat, and exercising, yet are unable to lose weight. This may be a sign that your thyroid is slowing down. If you are losing weight without trying, despite eating the same amount or more calories, then you may have the opposite problem, meaning that your thyroid is overactive.

• Changes in hair and skin: With either hypothyroid or hyperthyroid, severe hair loss can occur. Often times hair becomes dry, brittle, and coarse, causing it to break off and fall out, and skin frequently becomes dry, scaly, rough and thick with hypothyroid. Hair loss from the lateral edges of the eyebrows is also often associated with an underactive thyroid. With hyperthyroid skin can become thin and fragile.

• Bowel problems: Constipation is often associated with hypothyroid, while diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is often associated with hyperthyroid.

• High Cholesterol: With the thyroid being the master gland of metabolism, a slow functioning thyroid can lead to high cholesterol levels, while an overactive thyroid gland can lead to abnormally low cholesterol levels.

• Depression and Anxiety: Depression is often associated with a slow functioning thyroid, while anxiety is often associated with an overactive thyroid. However, both conditions can occur with either.

• Neck enlargement and discomfort: Enlargement of the thyroid gland which is a butterfly shaped gland located in the front of the neck is called a goiter. Common symptoms of a goiter are difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or changes in your voice, and if serious enough perhaps difficulty breathing.

• Muscle and joint pains, Carpal Tunnel, and Tendon problems: Muscle and joint aches and pains, as well as carpal tunnel in the wrists, and problems with tendonitis can all be associated with thyroid problems.

• Decreased sex drive: A decrease in your libido can be caused by either a hypo or hyperthyroid.

Simple blood testing can detect whether or not your thyroid is functioning optimally.

It is not only important to test your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels and your free T4 (inactive thyroid hormone--this is the way all thyroid hormone comes out of the gland) and free T3 (the active form of thyroid hormone. This is made in your peripheral tissues in which an enzyme converts inactive Free T4 thyroid hormone, into active Free T3 thyroid hormone), but also your Reverse T3 (an inactive form of thyroid hormone).

If your Reverse T3 levels are high, then your thyroid may look normal on routine testing, however this inactive thyroid hormone can block your receptors from allowing the active thyroid hormone from binding, creating hypothyroid symptoms, despite labs appearing completely normal which can cause you to be left untreated.

We start with comprehensive Thyroid testing including TSH, free T4, free T3 and reverse T3 to determine if your thyroid hormones are in the optimal levels. We then customize a bio-identical thyroid hormone replacement program for you. We go beyond looking at just your hormones. Balanced hormones are just one element of TRUE Health. We will help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

We will help rid your body of allergens and toxins that are holding the excess weight and making you sick. We will help you develop a healthy lifestyle that incorporates, nutrition, exercise and stress management.

Schedule your consultation and lab testing by calling 888.271.8877 today!