Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
What You Should Know
More than half of all people affected by thyroid disease are unaware of their condition. Thyroid disorders affect far more women than men, and the risk increases with age. While both men and women experience stress and exposure to environmental toxins, women are more vulnerable to thyroid imbalances due to hormonal changes throughout their lifetime (puberty, birth control pills, pregnancy, menopause, HRT). Many symptoms of hypothyroidism and menopause overlap. While hormone replacement therapy often focuses on estrogens, progesterone, DHEA and testosterone, optimal hormone balance cannot be achieved without correcting thyroid hormone imbalances.
Thyroid hormone helps the body convert food into energy, regulates body temperature, and impacts reproduction and many other hormonal functions. In hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), either the thyroid’s ability to make and release T4 or the body’s ability to convert T4 to T3 becomes compromised often showing up in the form of elevated TSH. When thyroid hormones are not available in the proper form and amount, many bodily functions are disrupted. For example, thyroid imbalance has a profound effect on cardiovascular fitness because thyroid hormone helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Hypothyroidism also weakens muscles including the diaphragm; as a result, breathing can become less efficient. Snoring may start or become worse. Fatigue is extremely common, and muscles and joints may ache.
People with hypothyroidism have an increased risk of kidney disease, and when thyroid hormone levels drop, the liver no longer functions properly and produces excess cholesterol, fatty acids, and triglycerides, which increase the risk of heart disease. Hypothyroidism is the second leading cause of high cholesterol, after diet. High cholesterol may also increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and severe hypothyroidism can cause symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease.
Compounding enables physicians to prescribe thyroid hormone therapy in a customized dose, and without excipients such as lactose, corn starch, and gluten, which represent some of the most common food sensitivities that can exacerbate symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Individuals with low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) may have several of the following symptoms, but may not be diagnosed for years:
• Slowed metabolism and slowed heart rate
• Cold and heat intolerance – cold hands and feet
• Fatigue
• Fluid retention – face, legs, eyelids and abdomen
• Dry skin, eyes and/or hair
• Yellowed skin
• Loss of eyebrows
• Constipation
• Headaches, migraines
• Depression, apathy and anxiety
• Irritability – low self esteem
• Low sexual desire
• Infertility
• Memory and concentration impairment
• Enlarged tongue, deep voice and swollen neck
• PMS, Irregular menstrual periods
• Lack of exercise tolerance
• Weight gain (especially in the abdomen)
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
If you experience some of these symptoms, it’s important to be properly tested. Ask your doctor or our pharmacist for more information.
Our compounding professionals work together with patients and their doctors to customize medications in the specific strength and dosage form that is most appropriate to meet specific needs.
Sarasota Specialty Pharmacy:
More Than Just a Pharmacy
Sarasota Specialty Pharmacy and Wellness Center is an independent, family owned pharmacy that has served the Sarasota community for over 40 years. They specialize in meeting patient’s needs through innovative compounding. Their compounding pharmacists work with physicians, veterinarians, dentists and other health care practitioners to prepare patient specific medications. Their compounding services allow them to create formulations in unique strengths and dosage forms.
You’re Invited:
Innovations in Healthy Aging
With speaker, Dr. Dan Watts, MD, ND, MSNM
Thursday, February 13th | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
The 21st Century has brought with it an array of new advancements in healthcare. At the Innovations in Healthy Aging Seminar, you will learn about optimizing the human lifespan through:
. Extending parts of the chromosome – telomeres
. Breakthroughs in stem cell research and joint regeneration
. Detection and correction of nutritional deficiencies and hormone balancing
. Toxin elimination – reducing heart disease, diabetes, and cancer risk
. Altering human genomes – turning them on/off
. Slowing and possibly reversing the aging and disease process
RSVP today at sarasotarx.com/seminars.php
Your Options with Sarasota Specialty Pharmacy are numerous! Stop by and see them today!
Sarasota Specialty Pharmacy
Call 941-366-0880 or visit sarasotarx.com
2075 Seista Drive, Sarasota, FL 34239
