A holistic thyroid doctor uses a personalized approach that focuses on a person’s body, mind, and spirit as a whole rather than just the symptoms of thyroid disease. The approach integrates conventional medicine with lifestyle changes and alternative therapies to address the root cause of thyroid dysfunction. When you visit a holistic thyroid doctor, you can expect to have an in-depth conversation about your medical history and lifestyle.
The consultation will also involve advanced lab testing, which will be used, along with your medical history, to create a personalized treatment plan that includes nutrition and stress management. The doctor may also recommend supplements, herbs, or other natural approaches to restore your thyroid health.
An estimated 20 million Americans are living with undiagnosed thyroid disease – and you could be one of them. According to the American Thyroid Association, up to 60% of individuals in the US with thyroid disease are unaware they have the condition. To know your status, you may want to consider consulting a holistic thyroid doctor to confirm and treat the condition.
The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism. If it is not working correctly, your body’s functions can speed up or slow down, causing severe symptoms. Common thyroid disorders include hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
Holistic thyroid care goes beyond simply managing the symptoms of thyroid conditions. It integrates conventional medicine with complementary therapies to focus on addressing the root causes of the disorder. The ultimate goal of this type of care is to restore overall well-being and improve thyroid function using a personalized plan.
This article offers a comprehensive guide on how a holistic thyroid doctor can lead to effective and long-lasting results in treating thyroid issues.
Conventional treatment for thyroid conditions varies depending on whether the thyroid is under- or overactive. For an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), the main treatment is daily thyroid hormone replacement, whereas for an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), treatments include anti-thyroid medications and radioactive iodine therapy.
Holistic thyroid treatment blends these conventional treatments with complementary therapies. It is a patient-centered model that focuses on addressing the root causes of thyroid dysfunction. The emphasis is on treating the whole person by considering the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional health to restore overall well-being.
Focusing on physical, mental, and emotional well-being is crucial for treating medical conditions as they influence one another and can impact overall health and quality of life. A holistic thyroid doctor can help determine the cause of your thyroid issues and provide a personalized plan that can help you feel better. During your first visit, you can expect:
This thorough consultation helps provide a more accurate diagnosis, facilitating the creation of a comprehensive treatment plan for the thyroid, leading to more effective treatment. The plan will include dietary and nutritional support, stress and mental health care, and complementary therapies. Your thyroid health expert will also ensure ongoing monitoring of your condition and support.
The holistic approach to thyroid care focuses on a personalized treatment plan to enhance your overall well-being. These personalized treatment plans often include:
Customizing a plan to suit your needs not only incorporates natural thyroid care but can help address the root causes of thyroid issues by considering your genetics, lifestyle, stress levels, and overall health. This tailored approach can make treatment more effective and improve long-term outcomes.
Autoimmune thyroid conditions are a group of diseases that occur when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Two of the most common forms can result in hyper or hypothyroidism.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, while Graves’ disease can result in hyperthyroidism. When managing each of these autoimmune thyroid conditions, an integrative thyroid specialist will:
They may also include supplements to address nutritional deficiencies.
There is no specific diet to treat thyroid disorder, but a balanced diet helps ensure your body gets the necessary nutrients. For hypothyroidism, include nutrient-dense foods such as:
Individuals with this condition should limit their intake of ultra-processed and inflammatory foods as well as added sugars. Mediterranean, paleo, and anti-inflammatory diets may be beneficial.
A good diet for hyperthyroidism should emphasize low-iodine foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, while limiting iodine-rich foods such as seaweed, certain fish, and iodized salt. Focus on foods rich in antioxidants, selenium, and protein.
Although prevalent, thyroid disease can be prevented by managing stress, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. Regular medical checkups can help you detect any issues early.
A diet rich in whole foods ensures adequate iodine and selenium intake. The following foods were among the top 10 listed by Health.com as good for thyroid health:
While you may not be able to prevent all thyroid conditions, these strategies can help reduce your risk.
Holistic therapies and complementary treatments often attempt to manage stress and mental health. Chronic stress can exacerbate thyroid conditions by disrupting endocrine balance. These therapies and treatments also balance physical well-being and include:
Using a multidimensional approach helps manage symptoms, promote overall well-being, and improve quality of life.
When using a holistic approach to managing thyroid conditions, ongoing care and support involve monitoring lifestyle modifications, supplementation, and complementary therapies outlined in your personalized, integrated plan. In addition to continuous monitoring, a holistic thyroid doctor will collaborate closely with other healthcare providers and adjust treatment based on your progress.
Patient education and empowerment are also crucial for long-term thyroid health management because they help patients:
Patient involvement in the development of treatment plans ultimately leads to better adherence. It’s one of the many benefits of education and empowerment, along with increased patient satisfaction and overall well-being, when managing thyroid disorders.
Early warning signs of thyroid problems in women include unexplained weight changes, constant fatigue, and temperature sensitivity. Other symptoms could be disrupted menstrual cycles, hair and skin changes, as well as mood swings and heart palpitations. The symptoms experienced will depend on the type of thyroid disorder.
If you have hypothyroidism, avoid taking vitamins containing high doses of iodine, iron, calcium, and biotin at the same time as your thyroid medication. Doing so can interfere with thyroid hormone absorption or thyroid function itself. Always consult your healthcare professional before starting or stopping any vitamins to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your condition.
If you have hyperthyroidism, avoid supplements containing iodine, as, in excess, it can worsen your condition and interfere with anti-thyroid medications. High-dose biotin supplements can also interfere with thyroid test results, so avoid taking them before testing. Supplements containing grapefruit can affect how medications break down in the body.
Thyroid disease is prevalent in the US, yet you may not know you have it. Determining if you do is the first step toward receiving treatment. You may want to consider consulting a holistic thyroid doctor for the care needed to manage your condition effectively.
Holistic thyroid care can help ensure an accurate diagnosis and a personalized approach to treatment that uses both conventional and complementary therapies to focus on healing your body, mind, and spirit.
At Modern Holistic Health, our advanced testing and data analysis help determine the root causes of hormonal and thyroid imbalances, allowing us to design a personalized treatment plan. We use it as a roadmap to help guide you through the body’s natural healing process for optimal thyroid health and overall well-being. Schedule a virtual appointment to begin your journey to lasting health and vitality.
