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      Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease Doctor
      Locations in Naples and Tampa, Florida

      Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease Doctor Naples FL

      Are you experiencing weight gain, depression, loss of libido, muscle aches, weakness, or cramping? Maybe you’re having issues with menstruation, dry and scaly skin, or brittle hair and nails? It might be your thyroid – even if you’ve been told your thyroid is normal. Do you know your Free T3? If your Thyroid medication is not working as it should, this may be an issue.

      At Improving Your Health, Dr. Rubin helps you diagnose and treat thyroid conditions like Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s. Hypothyroidism – which is also known as an underactive thyroid – develops when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Hashimoto’s, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease that attacks the cells in your thyroid, causing it to produce too little thyroid hormone, which then leads to Hypothyroidism. Without enough thyroid hormones, many of your body’s functions slow down.

      Thyroid disease is no simple matter, and you need someone who has the expertise and experience to understand how your thyroid function may be impacting your health. At Improving Your Health, Dr. Rubin will always help you select the most effective treatment option based on your individual needs. If you'd like to find out if your thyroid is at the root of your health issues, call either of our offices or book online today:

      What are Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease?

      Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease are two common thyroid medical conditions marked by reduced production of thyroid hormone. Your thyroid is a small gland, about the size and shape of a small butterfly, located just under your Adam’s apple. If your thyroid gland malfunctions and under produces thyroid hormones, the resulting imbalance can cause symptoms ranging from fatigue and weight gain to cardiovascular disease. Each individual’s experience of Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease can vary widely and causes and symptoms will often vary too.

      In general, thyroid conditions can range from thyroiditis to thyroid cancer. The majority of thyroid patients experience Hypothyroidism — too little hormone production — while a small percentage suffer from Hyperthyroidism, or too much. There are many different autoimmune diseases which fall into the category of thyroid disease, including Hashimoto’s, Graves’ Disease and Thyroid Eye Disease (TED).

      The most common type of thyroiditis, Hashimoto’s, is an autoimmune disease that occurs when your body makes antibodies that attack the cells in your thyroid, causing it to produce too little thyroid hormone, leading to Hypothyroidism. In very rare cases, Hashimoto’s can lead to Hyperthyroidism, which involves overproduction of thyroid hormone.

      Who is at Risk for Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease?

      Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease can impact any of us. They can develop at any age, ethnicity and in any gender, but it is most common in women and more common as we age. Family history is another risk factor. It is also more likely to develop in individuals who have other autoimmune diseases, like Type 1 Diabetes, Addison’s Disease, Celiac Disease/gluten sensitivity, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or Lupus. Other risk factors include:

      • Previous thyroid condition (e.g., goiter)
      • Thyroid surgery
      • Received radioactive iodine to correct a thyroid issue
      • Recent pregnancy
      • Diagnosis of Turner syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting women

      Causes of Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease

      Though the specific etiology is not always clear, there are a variety of causes that lead to Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease, including:

      • Hashimoto’s Disease
      • Radiation treatment of the thyroid, usually due to thyroid cancer
      • Certain types of medications
      • Thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid
      • Congenital Hypothyroidism, or Hypothyroidism present at birth
      • Certain illness like disorders of the hypothalamus or pituitary bland
      • Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid
      • Iodine deficiency, though rare in U.S.

      Symptoms of Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease

      Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease share many of the same symptoms, especially as Hashimoto’s develops into a hypothyroid state. Some of the most commonly experienced symptoms include:

      • Fatigue
      • Weight gain
      • Sexual dysfunction
      • Joint stiffness
      • Brittle hair and nails
      • Muscle pain
      • Diminished cognitive function, including brain fog, problems concentrating, etc.
      • Depression
      • Puffy face or eyes
      • Menstrual irregularities and potential infertility
      • Hair loss
      • Dry or thinning skin
      • Cold hands and feet
      • Constipation

      Diagnosing Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease

      A complete medical history, medical testing, and a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms can be effective tools that can be used to properly diagnose Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease. If you are experiencing symptoms of Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease, our goal is to uncover the source of your particular symptoms, so we can diagnose and treat your condition. We use blood tests to determine if you are falling into the optimal range, and also to determine if the cause of your thyroid imbalance is due to an autoimmune condition. Testing may include:

      • Antithyroid antibody test: The presence of antibodies suggests a higher risk of developing Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism.
      • Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test: A high TSH level indicates the thyroid gland is not producing enough T4 hormone. This lab result most often leads to a diagnosis of Hypothyroidism.
      • Free T4 test: A low T4 level suggests Hypothyroidism.
      • Imaging tests: An ultrasound of your thyroid gland, for example, can pick up any nodules or growths in your neck area and show the appearance and size of your thyroid.

      At Improving Your Health, we have a great deal of experience in diagnosing Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease and have had great success in treating these conditions among our patients.

      Treating Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease

      Once the underlying cause of your condition has been identified, we can begin to successfully treat your Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease. Because the causes vary, the course of treatment will vary with each individual. Our primary treatment tools may include:

      Our goal is to heal your thyroid with nutrients and glandular medications. There are other modalities we use to counteract the changes in your body the onset of Thyroid Disease may trigger, including:

      • Lifestyle changes to support thyroid health
      • Medical nutrition to optimize thyroid hormone balance, including the Identifying and limiting exposure to foods or drinks that may be exacerbating Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease
      • Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
      • Vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies or IV vitamin therapy
      • Identifying and addressing food allergies and sensitivities, as well as environmental allergies that may be contributing to thyroid imbalances
      • Stress management protocols
      • Evaluating medications and supplements that may be triggering Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease
      • Testing and treating medical conditions underlying your Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease (e.g., pituitary disorders, etc.)
      • Medical weight loss if weight gain is a factor

      If you are struggling with Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease, working with a functional medicine physician who is experienced and understands the complexity of Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease is very important. At Improving Your Health, Dr. Rubin offers the most up-to-date testing and treatment for Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease, so you can be free of thyroid dysfunction and its troubling long-term prognosis.

      We recommend that you prepare a list of your symptoms – not simply thyroid symptoms, but all of your medical issues - prior to your first consultation. There may be other seemingly unrelated conditions and health problems contributing to or being caused by your Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease.

      Request your consultation today!

      Dr. Rubin is a widely respected functional medicine practitioner in Florida with offices in Naples and Tampa. He has extensive experience treating patients who are suffering from Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease.

      He spent the first 25 years of his medical career working in internal and geriatric medicine, successfully becoming one of Florida's Sun Coast top-rated physicians. For four years, Castle Connolly Medical, Ltd. recognized him as one of the “Top Doctors” in South Florida. After further specialized training, he shifted his practice to a functional medicine approach to better serve the needs of his patients.

      Dr. Rubin takes an individualized approach to treatment, recognizing that each patient has a different medical history, symptoms, and underlying root causes.

      To get evaluated and begin treatment, call either of our offices or book online today:

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