The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in your throat that makes specific hormones. When this gland isn’t working correctly, you can experience a variety of symptoms. Over 90% of thyroid conditions are autoimmune, meaning that the body attacks it’s own thyroid tissue. Thyroiditis is the swelling of the thyroid gland. If you’re one of the 14 million people in America who are suffering from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or 10 million people who have Graves’ disease, you’re probably wondering what you can do to help improve symptoms and get some relief.
Do you suspect or know that you have a thyroid condition? You may experience symptoms such as:
What can trigger or fuel an imbalance in your thyroid gland?
Typically in treatment for hypothyroid conditions, an oral hormone medication is prescribed and can be helpful for the symptoms. However, since this drug may cause long-term damage to bones and the cardiovascular system, many people choose to find more natural ways to treat their thyroiditis.
It can be frustrating trying to find help with chronic and complex conditions, which is why we have chosen to dedicate our practice to exactly that. Instead of treating the symptoms, our functional medicine approach focuses on finding the causes.
All autoimmune diseases start in the gut. We design custom plans of dietary intervention, supplements and lifestyle recommendations to help heal the gut and support the immune system rather than focusing on the thyroid. In supporting these fundamental functions of the digestive tract we can reduce inflammation and see dramatic changes in symptoms.
We know that autoimmunity requires 3 things to develop:
Our small intestine consists of 25 feet of tubing, the inside surface area being equivalent to that of a doubles tennis court!
Proteins called “tight junctions” prevent a flood of material into the gut. Low vitamin D levels coupled with inflammation in the gut starts to widen the space between cells, allowing materials (bacteria and food) to start seeping through. This triggers inflammation and as antibodies are formed they begin to target the thyroid. This is why medication may help symptoms but it can never resolve your thyroid condition.
I initially started seeing Dr Ian for intense tiredness, digestive problems, low thyroid and a slew of other symptoms. He has been so amazing in supporting me to continuously make improvements and the results have been incredible. I highly recommend him, he is intuitive, wise and a high integrity person that I respect and value!
Using adjustments, blood analysis, supplements, suggested diet and exercise, Dr. Hollaman has been able to recreate the proper function of my endocrine system and I feel like a new person! I’ve lost weight and feel good about myself again. I know that my health is better than it has been for many years and I am no longer taking thyroid supplementation.
Dr Ian helped me overcome many health problems. When I initially went to see him, I was suffering from hypo-thyroidism. With his help, I am no longer hypo-thyroid. Amazing Results! He is highly recommended!
Ian really knows A LOT about thyroid problems! His knowledge and confidence convinced me to make the lifestyle changes -including no gluten, no sugar, and more exercise-that are essential to healing hormonal imbalances and to staying well. Several months later, I feel stronger, more energetic, and am happier than I have felt in a long time. Many thanks for all your help!