Thyroid Disorders
-
- Tweet
Berk's Womens Health
Susan Probst, MD
Gynecology located in Reading, PA
Do you suspect you have a thyroid disorder, or are your thyroid disease symptoms out of control? If so, reach out to Berk's Womens Health, located in Reading, Pennsylvania, for all-natural thyroid disease therapy. The practice, led by Susan Probst, MD, offers comprehensive thyroid disease care rooted in diet, science, and internal balance. To get started, call or use the booking tool today.
Thyroid Disorders Q & A
What is the thyroid?
The thyroid is a gland at the base of your neck. Shaped like a butterfly and composed of two distinct lobes connected by a narrow strip of organ, the thyroid secretes a hormone called T4.
The T4 hormone travels through your blood to every corner of your body and controls important elements of your metabolism, or the way your body converts oxygen and food into energy, such as: how fast your heart beats and how quickly you burn calories.
What’s the difference between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are opposite thyroid disorders.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism occurs when your body overproduces the T4 hormone. Hyperthyroidism causes symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Tremors and sweating
- Nervousness and anxiety
- Heat intolerance
- Fast heart rate
- Difficulty concentrating
- Weight loss
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough of the T4 hormone. Hypothyroidism can lead to complications like:
- Fatigue
- Feeling cold all of the time
- Depression
- Joint and muscle aches
- Constipation
- Dry skin with the loss of ⅓ eyebrows
- Cognitive difficulties
- Weight gain
The symptoms of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism overlap with countless other health problems. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit Berks Women’s Health and get to the bottom of them.
How do thyroid disorders affect women?
Women are more likely than men to develop thyroid disorders, which can wreak havoc on their systems in various ways, including those related to:
Menstruation
If your body creates too much or too little of the T4 hormone, your periods can become irregular, very light, or very heavy. Thyroid disease can even stop your period for several months at a time.
Also, thyroid diseases that involve the ovaries can send you into early menopause.
Pregnancy
Because thyroid disease can affect the ovaries, it can disrupt ovulation and make it hard for you to get pregnant.
In addition, during pregnancy, thyroid disorders can cause health problems for both you and your baby.
How can you treat thyroid disease naturally?
Berks Women’s Health offers a variety of natural therapies for thyroid disease. When you come into the practice to discuss your treatment options, Dr. Probst goes over your health and habits that impact it, such as:
- Diet
- Food allergies
- Alcohol consumption
Because thyroid disease can be exacerbated by inflammation, a large part of natural treatment includes nutritional therapy. Certain foods, such as cultured foods, probiotics, and those low in starches, sugars, and carbohydrates, can reduce inflammation.
Other elements of treatment include supplements and botanical herbs.
If you’re struggling with the symptoms of thyroid disorder, invest in long-term self-care and book an appointment at Berks Women’s Health. Connect with the practice over the phone today.
