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Endocrine Disorders





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Integrative Therapies for Endocrine Dysfunction at Aspire

The endocrine system is responsible for releasing hormones into the body. As a result, it’s critical for regulating a vast number of important functions. However, the near-omnipotent role of the endocrine system also means that related disorders can be hard to recognize. The symptoms of endocrine dysfunction often include common things like fatigue, insomnia, weight gain and more that can be easily written off or attributed to something else.

At Aspire, we take an integrative approach to improving endocrine health and uncovering the root cause of your health concerns. We blend modern techniques like advanced laboratory testing and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) with holistic treatments such as acupuncture, nutritional support and custom herbal remedies to help you feel your best.

Keep reading to learn more about the endocrine disorders we treat and how our integrative therapies can help you find new ways to manage your condition.

Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue is a term used to describe various symptoms such as muscle aches, tiredness, sleep changes, digestive problems, food cravings and more that point to a problem in the endocrine system. The adrenal glands are responsible for making and releasing the stress hormone cortisol to help the body react to emergencies (fight-or-flight). With adrenal fatigue, it’s thought that prolonged stress can cause the adrenal glands to “burn out” and become unable to keep up with the demand for cortisol.

Since adrenal fatigue is a hormonal problem, it’s best to address this underlying cause to resolve your symptoms. BHRT can bring the hormones back into balance to help you feel more vibrant and energetic. A DUTCH test can uncover dysfunctions by looking at cortisol levels throughout the day, providing a comprehensive overview of your adrenal health.

Targeted nutritional supplementation with vitamins and minerals such as B5, B6, B12, magnesium and vitamin C can also help in alleviating the symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Micronutrient testing can provide an accurate picture of your dietary needs and identify any deficiencies to develop a personalized nutritional plan.

Finally, lifestyle changes that limit stress are another key to managing adrenal fatigue. Getting enough sleep, avoiding junk food and addressing your gut health may be necessary for your treatment. Acupuncture and low-dose naltrexone have also been shown to be effective. Our experts use a variety of tools to improve your overall wellness.

Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland, an important part of the endocrine system located in the front of the neck, produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. This can accelerate the body’s metabolism and cause symptoms such as unintentional weight loss, heat sensitivity, sweating, irregular heartbeat, irritability, tremors and more.

Hyperthyroidism can be caused by a number of medical conditions, including Plummer’s disease, Graves’ disease, hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules and thyroiditis. Several conventional treatments are available to control symptoms and address the underlying cause of hyperthyroidism, but integrative therapies can work in conjunction with your existing care plan to help you feel better and manage unwanted side effects.

For example, the DUTCH test can help determine if your thyroid is functioning properly when free and metabolized cortisol levels don’t match. This may indicate a need for further thyroid testing. It also looks at other hormone levels that influence thyroid health and provides valuable insights on what to bring back into balance with BHRT.

The gut and the thyroid are also closely linked. Imbalances in one can provoke problems in the other. An in-depth analysis of your gut health with the GI-map test can tell us what bacterial species are present, how well you’re absorbing nutrients and if other dietary changes need to be made to promote digestive and thyroid wellness.

Additionally, acupuncture is a safe and effective adjunct treatment that can be used alongside other thyroid therapies and may correct hormonal imbalances. For hyperthyroidism caused by autoimmune disorders like Graves’, low-dose naltrexone can also be considered.

Graves’ Disease

Graves’ disease is one of the main causes of hyperthyroidism. It is an autoimmune disorder that causes an overproduction of thyroid hormones. Normally, the immune system creates antibodies that target specific pathogens, but in people with Graves’ disease, it also produces thyroid-stimulating antibodies that mimic certain hormones. These antibodies send false signals to the thyroid gland that cause it to work overtime.

Treatments primarily aim to reduce the amount of hormones being produced to lessen symptoms, but many of the integrative therapies listed above for hyperthyroidism can also be used in people with Graves’ disease to improve their overall quality of life.

During your first appointment, our experts can review your treatment options and help determine how integrative therapies such as acupuncture, hormonal testing, dietary changes, custom herbal remedies and more fit into your wellness plan.

Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)

Unlike hyperthyroidism, which describes an overactive thyroid, hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland underproduces. In the early stages of disease, symptoms may not be obvious but gradually worsen over time and lead to various health problems. Signs of an underactive thyroid include weight gain, infertility, joint pain, puffiness, heart disease, fatigue, decreased ability to tolerate cold temperatures and more.

Hypothyroidism can be triggered by a number of things, including autoimmune disorders, medications, thyroid surgery and even treatments for hyperthyroidism. Hashimoto’s disease is one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism. Effective treatments target the underlying cause, while integrative therapies can help restore balance in the body.

Like in hyperthyroidism, the DUTCH test can indicate if the thyroid is functioning properly by analyzing your cortisol levels. If the results are abnormal, it may indicate the need for a more comprehensive analysis of your thyroid health. It can also look at other important hormone levels and guide the development of a personalized BHRT treatment plan.

Doctors usually prescribe a standard dose of thyroid-stimulating drugs to treat an underactive thyroid, but BHRT uses all-natural hormones that mimic those already within the body to alleviate your symptoms. Since these hormones are compounded specifically for you, they may be more effective and have fewer side effects than conventional treatments.

Good nutrition and gut health also support the thyroid, so our experts might recommend dietary changes, micronutrient testing and a GI-map test to help you feel better. Additionally, acupuncture may be beneficial for balancing your hormones. These and other integrative therapies can be used separately or incorporated into an existing treatment plan.

Hashimoto’s Disease

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disorder that acts like the opposite of Graves’ disease. Instead of making the thyroid overactive with thyroid-stimulating antibodies, Hashimoto’s causes it to underperform as the immune system attacks some of its hormone-producing cells. Due to this, hormone production usually declines over time, resulting in hypothyroidism.

Hashimoto’s is typically treated with thyroid-stimulating hormones such as levothyroxine. However, some people prefer the use of bioidentical hormones, which are custom-compounded for each individual to improve thyroid function and address other imbalances that may have been overlooked but contribute to unwanted symptoms.

In addition to the treatments listed above for hypothyroidism, low-dose naltrexone is also increasingly used for Hashimoto’s. This safe and effective treatment helps modulate the immune system and is a promising therapy for many autoimmune disorders.

Diabetes

In the United States, diabetes is the most common endocrine disorder. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, decreasing the body’s ability to maintain proper blood sugar levels. Diabetes can be genetic (type 1), in which the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, or it can be caused by insulin resistance (type 2), associated with factors such as diet, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

Both types of disease can be managed with proper care, but insulin is always needed for those with type 1 diabetes. In contrast, type 2 diabetes is primarily managed with dietary changes, healthy eating, weight loss and blood sugar monitoring. Sometimes, insulin and medications that help the body use insulin more effectively may be used for type 2 diabetics when other approaches haven’t been effective.

In addition to dietary and lifestyle changes, some studies have suggested that hormone therapy might help manage type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and making it easier to maintain normal glucose levels. Low-dose naltrexone may have a similar effect, with studies also showing that it can alleviate diabetes-related nerve pain.

Another treatment for nerve pain caused by diabetes and other medical conditions is acupuncture. Additionally, some practitioners believe that acupuncture can trigger a hormonal reaction that helps the body regulate blood sugar. Since acupuncture is a safe treatment with few side effects, it can be beneficial to include in your treatment plan.

If you’re interested in learning more about our integrative therapies and holistic treatment options for endocrine disorders, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our experts can evaluate your overall health and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. Together, we can restore balance and help you feel your absolute best. To get started, call our office in San Diego at 866-486-2292 or click here to book your appointment.

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