Thyroid Disorders and Imbalances in Knoxville, TN
Thyroid imbalances can be tricky. Forum Health Knoxville, TN understands.
If you are still experiencing any of the following with conventional care, we can help.
- Low energy, no matter what
- Hair loss or brain fog
- Sensitivity to cold
- Bad sleep or weight gain
- Achy muscles and weakness
Comprehensive Thyroid Care Starts Here.
Conventional blood tests for thyroid issues look at one number – your TSH. If your TSH is too high or too low, you may be prescribed a daily medication that doesn’t address all your symptoms. If your TSH levels are within the standard range but you’re still experiencing thyroid disease symptoms, your doctor may ask you to just retest in six months. Is this really the best that healthcare can offer? We do not think so.
Forum Health Goes Beyond Standard Care
Our comprehensive thyroid testing and treatment program will
help you address the root-cause of your imbalance and heal.
How we are different. Better.
The standard TSH test often misses deeper thyroid issues leaving you under-diagnosed or under-treated.
Our integrative and functional medicine providers use advanced diagnostic lab testing and use lab ranges much narrower and optimal than conventional medicine.
We check for 10 thyroid markers – beyond the typical TSH levels – and include T3, T4 and reverse T3, and autoimmune markers for a more comprehensive view of your health.
Treatment for a thyroid imbalance is more
than a conventional test and a prescription.
Receiving an accurate diagnosis is just the beginning. Forum Health practitioners personalize treatment plans to your individual thyroid imbalances. Our 360-degree, root-cause approach explores your genetics, environment and lifestyle to help you take control of your thyroid imbalance and start feeling like yourself again.
Our Integrative Approach
Conventional Medicine
Tends to rely heavily on thyroid medications to only mask your thyroid symptoms. This can make you feel worse and fails to address the underlying cause to help you heal.
VS
Functional Medicine
Our specialists look at you as a whole person, analyzing your advanced diagnostic testing results and finding the root cause to customize a plan right for you.
Treatment with our providers may include prescriptions, supplements, thyroid hormone therapy and lifestyle modification.
Thyroid Hormone Therapy
IV Therapy
Delivers essential nutrients, like selenium and zinc, into the bloodstream, critical to producing thyroid hormones. It can help lower thyroid antibodies in Hashimoto’s disease patients and improve fatigue, energy levels and immunity.
Low-Dose Immunotherapy
Nutraceutical Supplements
Toxin Elimination
Diet & Nutrition Counseling
Thyroid Conditions We Treat
The American Thyroid Association reports over 25% of Americans have an under-diagnosed or under-treated thyroid condition. You are not alone, and we can help.
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Hashimoto’s disease
- Goiters
- Graves’ disease
- Thyroiditis
- Nodules
- Thyroid Cancer Screening
Reclaim your energy and restore your metabolism!
Common Questions
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms may include anxiety, irritability, trouble sleeping, difficulty losing weight, an enlarged thyroid gland or goiter, muscle weakness and tremors, sensitivity to heat, irregular menstrual periods or having your menstrual cycle stop.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms may include fatigue, weight gain, brain fog or forgetfulness, dry and coarse hair, hoarse voice, feeling cold or an intolerance to cold, and frequent and heavy menstrual periods.
Thyroid problems are an epidemic right now. 90% of low thyroid (hypothyroidism) is autoimmune, which is a condition called Hashimoto’s disease. Hashimoto’s is not a problem with your thyroid itself, but the immune system attacking the thyroid. Conventional medicine uses the same treatment protocol for autoimmune and non-autoimmune thyroid dysfunction.
At Forum Health, we understand there is a difference and that if your condition is autoimmune, there is a different treatment plan. Many factors such as diet, gut health, toxins, infection, and stress are the root causes to this thyroid dysfunction and that’s what we address.
Yes, our providers look at the whole picture, including nutrient deficiencies. Below are the vital nutrients needed for optimal thyroid function. These nutrients help you produce thyroid hormones and support healthy immune function.
- Iodine
- Tyrosine
- Selenium
- Zinc
- Iron
- Vitamin A
- B vitamins
- Vitamin D
We also test hormone levels since stress hormones and estrogen levels have a remarkable impact on thyroid function. The primary stress hormone, cortisol, can lead to underproduction of thyroid hormones. This impacts thyroid receptors causing the thyroid hormones to stay in their inactive state where our body cannot use them properly.
Patients who suffer from adrenal fatigue, due to chronic stress, may also have some thyroid dysfunction. Women who are on birth control pills may also suffer from thyroid problems due to the excess estrogen that binds up the thyroid hormones.
You need at least six lab tests to find out what’s going on in the thyroid: TSH, free T3, free T4, Reverse T3, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies. (NOTE: Antibodies check for Hashimoto’s – an autoimmune disease of the thyroid.)
It’s important to note that one size does NOT fit all. Your labs can be in the “normal” range and you can still have low thyroid symptoms that will improve with treatment because there is a better part of the range to be in. (NOTE: This “better part” is often called the “Ideal” or “Optimal” range – because most people in this part of the range are healthy and symptom-free).
- Exercise at least 30 minutes 5 days a week (in nature if you can)
- Learn stress reduction techniques, and minimize stress as much as possible
- Get at least 7 – 8 hours of sleep each night
- Eat a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet
- Minimize toxin exposures (and Fluoride).
- Do a comprehensive detoxification program once or twice a year to remove existing toxins from your body.
- Supplement with iodine (esp. In “goiter belt” states like Michigan) and other nutrients for added support, especially if your diet is lacking.
- Make an appointment with a Forum Health provider
Side effects of thyroid medication include fatigue, headaches, excessive sweating, nervousness, hot flashes/sensitivity to health, tremors and heart palpitations.
Long-term effects may include weight fluctuations, joint pain and even autoimmune dysfunction.
Like with any thyroid condition, our providers first perform comprehensive testing to develop a personalized plan to fit your needs. Treatment options may include thyroid hormone replacement therapy, supplements, IV therapy, detox program, low-dose immunotherapy or diet and nutrition counseling with a certified health coach.
