Your hormones play a critical role in your body by acting as chemical messengers.
Maintaining a healthy hormone balance in your body is important, since even a small change in the hormones you produce can have big impacts.
As a hormonal conditions naturopathic doctor, Dr. Kimberly Dawdy can help.
There are so many different health issues caused by hormonal issues, but a number of them can be linked back to your thyroid.
As a thyroid special interest naturopathic doctor in Ottawa, Dr. Kimberly Dawdy can work with you to uncover the source of your symptoms and offer naturopathic treatments that can help manage it.
Book your appointment at Dawdy Naturopathic today, or read on to find out more.
What Is Your Thyroid?
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly shaped gland that’s part of the endocrine system in your body.
You can find your thyroid gland on the base of your neck, below the middle of your throat. It produces the hormones that regulate your body’s metabolism – the process that turns the nutrients from the food you eat into fuel for your body.
When your thyroid produces too many hormones (hyperthyroidism) or not enough hormones (hypothyroidism), it can cause problems like irritability, fatigue, weight loss, and weight gain.
Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, can use natural treatments to keep your thyroid healthy.
Hypothyroidism Natural Treatment
Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid gland can’t produce enough hormones.
This can cause a number of different symptoms, including:
- Fatigue
- Dry skin and hair
- Increased sensitivity to cold temperatures
- Memory problems
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Slow heart rate
- Fertility and reproductive issues
There are a number of different possible causes of hypothyroidism. You may be at higher risk if you also have a disease like celiac disease, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.
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Not all cases of hypothyroidism are severe cases. However, even milder symptoms like the ones listed above can be frustrating at best – and it doesn’t have to be that way.
There are natural solutions that can help your quality of life if you have hypothyroidism.
Book your appointment at Dawdy Naturopathic today.
Hashimoto’s Autoimmune Thyroiditis Treatment
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.
This condition happens when your immune system attacks your thyroid gland and slowly destroys it as well as its ability to produce hormones.
While Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can occur in anyone, it is most common in middle aged women.
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Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can be hard to detect because many of the symptoms are subtle and mimic the symptoms of other conditions.
Some of the symptoms you might experience if you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis include:
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Dry skin and hair
- Pale, puffy face
- Heavy and irregular periods
- Enlarged thyroid
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is often caught early and progresses slowly, so there are many ways to manage the symptoms and progression if you have it.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or you suspect you may have it, Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, can provide natural solutions to help you manage your condition.
Book your appointment at Dawdy Naturopathic today.
Naturopathic Hyperthyroidism Treatment
Hyperthyroidism is the opposite of hypothyroidism and happens when your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone.
Hyperthyroidism can be caused by thyroid inflammation, taking too much iodine, taking too much thyroid hormone medication, or pituitary gland tumors, but the most common cause is Graves’ disease – more on that soon.
Symptoms that indicate you may have hyperthyroidism are:
- Restlessness
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Racing heart
- Irritability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Thin skin
- Muscle weakness
- Weight loss
- Increased appetite
- Frequent bowel movements
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There is currently no known cure for hyperthyroidism, but that doesn’t mean it’s hopeless.
Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, offers natural solutions for managing your hyperthyroidism symptoms.
Book your appointment at Dawdy Naturopathic today.
Naturopathic Graves’ Disease Treatment
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to attack your thyroid gland, which causes hyperthyroidism.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis causes your immune system to attack your thyroid as well, so why do they cause two different disorders?
The difference is in the type of antibodies your immune system uses. With Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the antibodies created lead to the destruction of cells in your thyroid, whereas Graves’ disease leads to the overstimulation of cells in your thyroid.
This means they work harder, creating more thyroid hormone, and causing hyperthyroidism.
As a result, many of the symptoms you may experience if you have Graves’ disease are similar to symptoms of hyperthyroidism, like:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Hand tremors
- Increased heart rate
- Difficulty sleeping
- Diarrhea
- Goiter (enlarged thyroid)
Symptoms you may experience that are unique to Graves’ disease could include:
- Bulging or painful eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Double vision
- Vision loss
- Thickened, reddened skin on your shins and upper feet
You can develop Graves’ disease at any age, although it’s most common in women in their twenties.
You may have a higher risk for developing Graves’ disease if you’re under a lot of stress, if you’re pregnant, if you smoke, if you have a history of developing mononucleosis (also known as mono), or if you have a family history of Graves’ disease.
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There is currently no known cure for Graves’ disease, but there are things you can do to control the symptoms.
Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, can provide natural solutions that are right for you and your body.
Book your appointment at Dawdy Naturopathic today.
Goiter Naturopathic Treatment
When your thyroid gland is enlarged, you have goiter.
Goiter is most often caused by iodine deficiency in your diet, but can also be caused by Graves’ disease, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, or pituitary gland tumors.
If your goiter grows large enough, it may cause symptoms such as:
- Swelling or tightness in your neck
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Coughing or wheezing
- Hoarse voice
You have a higher risk of developing goiter if you are over 40 years old, a woman, have a family medical history of goiters, have been pregnant, or if you’ve had radiation exposure.
If you are in a high risk group for developing goiter or have goiter and are looking for a natural solution for your symptoms, Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, can help.
Book your appointment at Dawdy Naturopathic today.
Thyroid Nodules Naturopathic Treatment
Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid filled growths on your thyroid.
In some cases, it isn’t always clear what causes thyroid nodules, but known causes include iodine deficiency and Hashimoto’s.
If you have thyroid nodules that don’t produce hormone, you may experience these symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Dry skin
- Hair loss
You may not experience any symptoms when you have thyroid nodules, but if they grow large enough, they can cause you to experience swelling and pain in your neck or difficulties swallowing or breathing.
Women are four times more likely than men to experience thyroid nodules.
If you have thyroid nodules that produce hormones, you may experience the same symptoms as hyperthyroidism.
Naturopathic treatments for thyroid nodules can help manage their effects.
Book your appointment at Dawdy Naturopathic today.
Book Your Appointment with Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, Today
Thyroid diseases can cause you serious problems if left untreated.
Whether you have a thyroid disorder or are simply looking to prevent developing one, Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, can provide treatment to help.