Yes. A comprehensive thyroid evaluation should be considered if you are tired and sluggish, feel cold all over or have cold hands and feet, require excessive amounts of sleep to function properly, have increased weight even on a low calorie diet, gain weight easily, have difficult or infrequent bowel movements, are depressed or lack motivation, experience morning headaches that wear off as the day progresses, notice thinning of the outer 1/3rd of your eyebrows, have dry skin or scalp or are mentally sluggish. Any of these symptoms can be an indication that your thyroid gland is not performing optimally (hypothyroid).
In some cases, your thyroid may be overactive (hyperthyroid) if you experience heart palpitations, inward trembling, increased pulse at rest, are nervous or emotional and have trouble sleeping.
Dr. Schimp performs comprehensive thyroid assessments that evaluate for hypothyroidism, autoimmune hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) and hyperthyroidism. Lab testing may include:
· Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
· Free T3
· Total T3
· Free T4
· Total T4
· Thyroid peroxidase antibodies
· Thyroglobulin antibodies
· T3uptake
· Reverse T3
· Serum iodine
· In some cases addition testing may be recommended
In the event that a functional thyroid disorder is identified, natural supports will be recommended.