The thyroid is a small gland located at the front of the neck that is responsible for making thyroid hormones. These hormones are controlled by another small gland in the brain called the pituitary. The pituitary gland makes thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which acts on the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones.

Thyroid hormones help the body use energy and control a number of activities including how fast the body burns calories. Unfortunately, if your thyroid gland (or your pituitary gland) is not working properly then your thyroid gland releases too many or too few hormones which in turn leads to thyroid disorders

.There are many reasons that can cause your thyroid to malfunction including autoimmune conditions, viral infections, poor diet and poor nutrient balance (ie. Iodine imbalance), ovarian or testicular tumors, too much or too little thyroid medications, etc.

According to The American Thyroid Association, more than 12 percent of the United States population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetimes. To better understand whether or not your thyroid is responsible for your weight gain and low energy, it is advisable to get tested.Good testing means getting a full panel done. This is going to include a TSH, fT3, fT4, rT3, thyroglobulin and thyroid antibodies. You are also going to want to make sure that you are preparing the body the best way before you get these tests done. Testing should be done in the morning and before you take your day’s thyroid medication. This way, you are able to get the best and most meaningful results possible.​

But what do you do if your labs are good, however you are still left feeling fatigued or dealing with unnecessary weight gain? Here are just a few of the things I think you might need to consider:

• You may need different thyroid medication – there are so many instances where a dose reduction, followed by a medication change, has worked wonders for so many patients.
• You need to find your root cause – If you feel like you are only well when your TSH is low, then that is something you need to address. Boosting your dosage is not the answer, instead you need to find out more about the root cause of your problems. Some root causes you may want to consider include poor adrenal gland function, uncontrolled blood sugars and food sensitivities.

If you are suffering with low energy or weight issues, my first and primary recommendations are to alter your diet and increase your physical activity. This can be as simple as removing sodas from your diet and brisk walking 20 minutes after meals to more comprehensive changes like removing all processed foods, artificial sweeteners and GMO’s. In addition, intermittent fasting, block fasting and daily fasting are all sure-fire ways to improve your health, energy and waistline.

At Stanly Wellness Center, we are eager and ready to help you and your families achieve the best health possible. If you are looking for help with your health or you know of someone who is suffering with poor health, call the office of Stanly Wellness Center at 980-355-7600 and schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation with Dr. Patrick Ess to see how he can help. Dr. Ess will not waste your time or money. He will let you know if he can help you, and if he can’t, who can.​

At Stanly Wellness Center, we specialize in nutrition, detoxification and neurological correction. You can also refer to our website at www.AskDrPatrick.com for more information. We accept most major health insurances including BCBS, Aetna, Humana, UHC, Medicaid and Medicare.

Stanly Wellness Center is located right on Main St (24/27) in Locust and is situated next door to the Locust Post Office and the Dollar General across the street from the Wells Fargo Bank.