How do environmental toxins affect thyroid health? 🤷‍♀️⁠
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Around 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, and cases are only rising! This has prompted researchers to look into the explanation of why more and more people are suffering from thyroid disease.⁠
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✴️They discovered that a number of environmental toxins can cause thyroid dysfunction!✴️⁠
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📌The thyroid requires the essential minerals iodine and selenium to produce its hormones.⁠
📌These minerals are chemically drawn to the structure of thyroid hormones (T3 or T4).⁠
📌This attraction can also happen between other substances and thyroid hormones.⁠
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This means that harmful environmental toxins which have a similar structure to thyroid hormones can be mistaken for iodine and selenium, and build up within the thyroid gland.⁠
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Common environmental toxins which invade the thyroid gland are:⁠
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1️⃣Heavy metals.⁠
Including aluminum, cadmium, lead and mercury. These heavy metals are most commonly found in toiletries, OTC medications, cookware and vaccines.⁠
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2️⃣Household toxins.⁠
These kinds of toxins are typically found in furniture, carpet padding, screens of electronic devices and synthetic materials. Household toxins include:⁠
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👉Flame retardants⁠
👉BPA⁠
👉Phthalates⁠
👉And lead.⁠
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3️⃣Industrial chemicals.⁠
These include dioxin, perchlorate, perfluorinated chemicals, and polychlorinated biphenyls. They are most commonly found in: dyes, plasticizers, fragrances, flame retardants, conductors and insulators.⁠
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4️⃣Agricultural agents.⁠
These include pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Constant exposure to agricultural agents such as these can weaken thyroid function to the point of causing hypothyroidism.⁠
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So, how can we protect ourselves from these thyroid-damaging toxins? Follow the tips below!:⁠
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✨Limit use of plastic containers for drinking and food storage.⁠
✨Invest in a quality water filter for consumption and bathing.⁠
✨Consume foods rich in iodine and selenium.⁠
✨Eat organic as often as possible.⁠
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Tell me, were you aware of how environmental toxins can affect your thyroid? Let me know in the comments! ⁠ ...

Did you know that menopause and hypothyroidism share many of the same symptoms?⁠⁠
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As if transitioning into menopause isn’t confusing enough, it’s been found that symptoms of hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) are very similar to the symptoms of menopause! And hypothyroidism is more common during menopause. These same symptoms can include:⁠⁠
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➡️Altered menstrual cycle length⁠⁠
➡️Change in amount of bleeding⁠⁠
➡️Sleep disruption⁠⁠
➡️Fatigue⁠⁠
➡️Mood swings⁠⁠
➡️Forgetfulness⁠⁠
➡️Weight gain⁠⁠
➡️Dry skin⁠⁠
➡️And hair loss.⁠⁠
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This means that if you’re a middle aged woman, it can be hard to know what’s really going on!⁠⁠
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One way to find out what’s causing your symptoms is to check your body heat - hot flashes are night sweats are exclusive to menopause. There is ONE exception, though.👇⁠⁠
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If you’re currently on thyroid hormone replacement medication, a wrong dose can actually cause hot flashes and night sweats. Be certain that your dose is correct and if you’re still waking up sweating, then you’ll know it’s menopause.⁠⁠
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📍Symptoms of menopause can also be exacerbated by hypothyroidism.⁠⁠
📍Rather than dismissing your symptoms, it's critical to understand why they’re happening.⁠⁠
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Increased cholesterol from untreated thyroid dysfunction can develop into atherosclerosis (The build-up of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls.) This can also lead to:⁠⁠
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🚫Stroke ⁠⁠
🚫Heart attack ⁠⁠
🚫And other cardiac problems.⁠⁠
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If you’re currently going through a hormonal transition and are confused about your symptoms, then I’d love to personally invite you to schedule a complimentary 15 minute call to discuss how we can help you on your journey to optimal health.✨⁠⁠
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Link in bio <@radiancefunctionalmedicine>⁠⁠ ...

Did you know that around 25% of women in perimenopause are diagnosed with hypothyroidism?⁠
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🦋Your thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located at the base of the front of your neck, just above the sternal notch.⁠
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🦋It plays a vital role in the growth and development of the human body, regulating countless amounts of bodily functions by continuously releasing thyroid hormones into the bloodstream.⁠
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However, when your thyroid does not produce enough hormones, the chemical reactions in your body can become out of balance - this is known as hypothyroidism. A number of factors can contribute to this condition, including:⁠
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🚫Autoimmune disease⁠
🚫Hyperthyroidism treatments⁠
🚫Radiation therapy⁠
🚫Thyroid surgery⁠
🚫And certain medications.⁠
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Depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency, the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary. Problems often emerge gradually, over a period of years.⁠
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Symptoms of hypothyroidism may be very subtle at first and you may even associate them with getting older! ⁠
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👉Feeling more tired than usual and weight gain are prime examples of this.👈⁠
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Hypothyroidism will also cause your metabolism to slow down to a snail’s pace, and this is when you may develop more obvious problems. Hypothyroidism signs and symptoms include:⁠
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✴️Increased sensitivity to cold⁠
✴️Constipation⁠
✴️Dry skin⁠
✴️Weight gain⁠
✴️Puffy face⁠
✴️Hoarseness⁠
✴️Muscle weakness⁠
✴️Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness⁠
✴️Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints⁠
✴️Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods⁠
✴️Thinning hair⁠
✴️Slowed heart rate⁠
✴️Depression⁠
✴️Impaired memory⁠
✴️Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)⁠
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Your thyroid gland plays a key role in your wellness. We recommend that women over the age of 40 have a thyroid test every year.⁠
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Tell me, were you aware of how much of an impact your thyroid has on your health? Comment YES or NO!⁠⁠ ...

Don't you wanna?? WANNA SAUNA!? ⁠⁠
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Infrared wavelengths are the invisible part of the sun's spectrum consisting of near, mid and far rays. These rays have the ability to penetrate human tissue and are more beneficial than just warming this air. This results in a deep, detoxifying sweat at the cellular level, where the majority of toxins reside. ⁠⁠
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Infrared heat is completely safe and healthy for all living things. You can be exposed to infrared light for hours without the risk of burning. Infrared is naturally occurring output of the sun, but does not contain the harmful UV rays associated with unprotected sunlight. In fact, infrared's gentle heat is used in hospitals to warn newborn infants. ⁠⁠
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Benefits from infrared therapy include: ⁠⁠
☀️ Detoxification⁠⁠
☀️ Pain Relief⁠⁠
☀️ Increase cell health & boost immunity⁠⁠
☀️ Weight control⁠⁠
☀️ Anti-aging⁠⁠
☀️ Cardiovascular health⁠⁠
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To schedule your appointment, visit our website or the link in bio! ...

Hands up if you suffer from irregular, heavy or painful periods. 🙋‍♀️⁠
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If your hand is up, you’re not alone! Irregular, heavy and painful periods are extremely common. ⁠
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Although it’s completely normal for your cycle to vary in length by a few days each month, anything outside of menstruating every 21-35 days is considered irregular, with menstruation lasting longer than 20 days also considered irregular.⁠
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But why does this happen? Irregular periods can be caused a number of reasons, the most common including:⁠
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👉Stress and lifestyle factors⁠
👉Birth control pills⁠
👉And medical conditions such as hypothyroidism.👈⁠
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Hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. This can affect your entire body from head to toe, including your periods.⁠
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Hypothyroidism sets off a number of hormonal changes which affect your reproductive system. It works like this:⁠
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📍Your thyroid hormone levels decrease and your brain's hypothalamus starts producing extra thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH).⁠
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📍Your pituitary gland releases extra thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin amongst other hormones.⁠
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📍High levels of prolactin then put a halt on your production of a hormone essential for normal ovarian function - gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) .⁠
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❌And this is when menstruation irregularities can occur!❌⁠
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Hypothyroidism can completely put the brakes on your ovulation. The changes in prolactin levels along with changes in coagulation factors can lead to:⁠
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🚫Your periods stopping entirely⁠
🚫And heavy bleeding.⁠
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If these symptoms sound familiar to you, then I’d love to personally invite you to schedule a complimentary 15 minute call to discuss how we can help you on your journey to optimal health.✨⁠
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Link in bio <@radiancefunctionalmedicine>⁠⁠ ...

6 common causes of hypothyroidism.👇⁠
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1️⃣Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.⁠
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disorder in which your immune system attacks your thyroid.⁠
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Eventually, this will cause your thyroid will to stop producing enough hormones to keep your body working properly, i.e hypothyroidism.⁠
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2️⃣You’re making an excess amount of reverse T3 (blocking thyroid hormone).⁠
If you have too much reverse T3, the active form of T3 won't be able to bind to your receptors and perform its vital functions, leading to hypothyroidism. ⁠
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There are 3 main reasons that reverse T3 levels can be too high:⁠
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❌Adrenal hormone imbalance ⁠
❌Iron-deficiency anemia⁠
❌And systemic inflammation in the body.⁠
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3️⃣You have problems converting the thyroid hormone T4 into the active form T3.⁠
If you have adequate T4 but your body isn’t converting it into T3, hypothyroidism may occur. This can happen for many different reasons, but the most common include:⁠
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✴️Stress⁠
✴️Weight gain⁠
✴️Inflammation⁠
✴️Exposure to toxins⁠
✴️And abnormal gut function.⁠
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4️⃣Unbalanced gut microbiome.⁠
Unbalanced gut bacteria (more harmful bacteria than good) can cause the conversion from T4 to T3 to become impaired. This is because your GI tract is responsible for up to 20% of T4 to T3 conversion!⁠
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5️⃣Adrenal hormone imbalance.⁠
When stress levels are elevated for a while, cortisol levels rise, which lowers active T3 levels in tissues and raises reverse T3.⁠
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This means that thyroid hormone production is reduced, metabolism is slowed and symptoms of hypothyroidism can start to creep in.⁠
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6️⃣Nutrient deficiencies.⁠
There are six key nutrients required to make thyroid hormone. A deficiency in any of these can lead to symptoms of hypothyroidism:⁠
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✨Iodine⁠
✨Selenium⁠
✨B12⁠
✨Magnesium⁠
✨Iron⁠
✨And zinc.⁠
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Questions about hypothyroidism? Let me know in the comments!⁠⁠ ...