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Part 2 of Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND In our last blog we started by doing an overview of just what constitutes autoimmune thyroid disorders. Just like with any autoimmune disorder it is important to work on our overall health, including our digestive …
Thyroid Autoimmune Disorders! Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Let us talk about Autoimmune and how it relates to the thyroid. This is important to talk about because thyroid health is much more complex than just under or overactive thyroid. It can be such a complex issue …
Thyroid and Women’s Health
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Thyroid health is important for our overall wellbeing. But did you know that it can also affect women’s health concerns? In general women are more likely to be diagnosed with thyroid issues. In fact, up to 1 in 8 women will be affected by thyroid disorders. Let us get into it, shall we?
One of the ways that the thyroid can impact women’s health is by affecting our monthly cycles. Thyroid dysfunction can delay or speed up both puberty and menopause. It can also cause menstrual cycles to become irregular or even stop all together. Thyroid dysfunction can also cause the cycles to become heavier or lighter than normal. Studies show ovulation can be inhibited by thyroid disorders leading to problems with fertility. Women with thyroid disorders may notice that their periods are heavier than they expect or even contain larger than usual clots. This can lead to an increase in blood loss which can make you anemic. Something else that you may not realize is that if you are anemic, you will have heavier/ more clots during your period. This will leave you more anemic and thus more likely to have heavier periods! This is a feedback loop that can begin with heavier periods caused by thyroid disorder. (1)
Every woman knows that post menopause, bone health is a very real concern. This is especially true for those with thyroid disorders. This is because any changes in thyroid hormones can affect the balance of bone dissolution and replacement; because thyroid hormones control bone metabolism. Studies show that in people with hypothyroidism, bone formation is slowed by up to 50%! Hyperthyroidism can cause rapid bone loss and decrease the quality of any new bone formed. (4) They go on to show that Levothyroxine in post-menopausal women with hypothyroidism have a decrease in bone density. (5) What does this mean? Since the thyroid controls the balance of bone production and absorption, it is important for post-menopausal women to be proactive with their bone health.
Having too much or too little thyroid hormone can cause hair loss. The thyroid hormones T3/T4 affect hair development. Unlike other causes of hair loss, thyroid disorders cause hair loss all over the scalp rather than in discrete areas. It is important to note, people with a thyroid disorder due to auto immune issues, are often prone to other autoimmune disorders such as Alopecia aerate. However, in the case of Alopecia, the hair loss that results is discrete and often circular areas of hair. (7) This is important because postmenopausal women tend to have hair loss. Because estrogen and progesterone are decreased, it leads to an increase in androgens. This causes hair to grow slowly and the hair follicles to shrink; causing the existing hair to fall out. (8) Working with the underlying thyroid condition can help the hair loss long term.
Other concerns for women include mood swings and depression. It is well documented that menopausal women experience depression and anxiety. Thyroid disorders often have symptoms of depression and anxiety as well. (12)
So, what can you do if you experience these symptoms?
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Thyroid Health and the Adrenal Glands Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND When it comes to holistic health care 2 of the most common things to talk about are thyroid health and adrenal health. What is interesting about these 2 topics is that they are more …
Summer Colds Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Most people have had a cold in the summertime at least once during their lifetime. But why do summer colds even happen? And while yes, I know you know the symptoms of a cold I will still do a …
How the Thyroid Impacts Weight Management
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
One topic that comes up often around summertime is weight management. Everyone wants to be ready for the beach! And one part of managing our weight is by working with our thyroid. Everyone knows the thyroid controls weight! But just how does it do this? Well, it works by increasing or decreasing our metabolism. In the medical world, this is known as basal metabolic rate or BMR. It is the number of calories you use to just live. Sleeping, breathing and even sitting are all things that contribute to the BMR. Being highly active and engaging in physical exercise will cause it to increase. BMR is usually calculated based on the following factors: age, gender, height, and weight. (1) In addition to the thyroid, other hormones can and do affect weight. For right now I will just be focusing on weight on weight. Let us get into it, shall we?
Studies show that people with low thyroid function had lower BMRs, compared to those with a higher-than-normal amount of thyroid hormone, who had higher BMRs. (2) Meaning, those with a decreased thyroid function gained weight easily; while those with an increase in thyroid function were able to lose weight.
Now, it is especially important to first determine if weight loss or weight gain is related to the thyroid. Bloodwork is always a wonderful place to start. While you are waiting for the test results you should start a food diary of anything you eat throughout the day. It is especially important to be honest about what you are eating if you want to try to balance your food intake. I know it might be embarrassing to write down or tell a nutritionist you had 4 slices of pizza, 3 times this week; but it’s easier to understand what we need to do when someone is honest about what they eat; rather than saying what they think we want to hear. Why do I am harping on this issue? Even with a thyroid disorder, what we eat is one of the most important things to help regulate our weight. While it is true that having a lower/higher level of thyroid hormone will make it easier to gain or lose weight, it is not the only concern regarding a healthy weight. Having a healthy or unhealthy relationship with food is just as important to talk about. (3) If you have a thyroid disorder and an unhealthy relationship with food, it is like throwing gasoline on a fire; it will only make it worse.
SO, WHAT CAN WE DO?
Well first, get blood work down then do your food log. Once you have your blood work and food log feel free to contact an Invite Health nutritionist. I am always happy to go over your food log. Email me at carcidiacono@invitehealth.com, if you are interested in working with me! Next, work with a nutritionist to determine what is going on with your thyroid. Is it higher than normal? Lower? Is there an autoimmune problem going on?
SUPPLEMENTS FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT and thyroid health
In addition to working on the thyroid and what you are eating, there are supplements that studies show can help with weight loss and weight gain.
HELPFUL WEIGHT LOSS DRINKS
*The following smoothie recipes can be used as a meal replacement
1 scoop of InVite Health Weight Management Protein
1 scoop of Oranges Hx
1 scoop of Collagen Hx
1 dropper-full Green Tea Tx
Open 1 capsule of Probiotic Hx Weight into the shaker or blender and mix.
Cut up and remove the pits from cherries! You can use as many or little as you like
Make any brand of Jell-O and add the cherries. While it is still liquid add the contents of 2 Trim Hx. Portion this delicious treat into 8 portions (each portion will be about ¼ cup not counting the cherries).
Allow it to cool and harden for a nice nighttime treat!
HELPFUL WEIGHT GAIN DRINKS
*The following smoothies will be best eaten in between meals for weight gain benefits (not instead or in place of one of the three meals eating each day)
Retro Weight Gainer
Milk of choice – Add 1 scoop of each of the following:
Weight Management Powder
Cocoa HxⓇ
Organic Greens Plus
Collagen HxⓇ
1 Avocado, or banana or 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Superfood Weight Gainer
Milk of choice and 1 avocado and 1 scoop of each:
Weight Management Powder
Reds Hx
Purples Hx
Yummy muffins!
To a blender add ½ cup of oatmeal, 2 eggs, 1 banana, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 scoop of Weight Management Powder. Add 2 scoops of Multi Energy Powder. Start with 2 tablespoons of water, adding as you blend. Your goal is a mix that is thick, but you can still pour. Place in muffin tin and bake till a toothpick comes out clean. 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes is ideal, but it is best to test!
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