Thyroid Doctor in Fargo, North Dakota
The thyroid is a notoriously misunderstood part of the body. An untold number of people go through life with fatigue, muscle weakness, and weight fluctuations despite “normal” thyroid test results. Functional medicine can comprehensively test your thyroid and determine if your hormones are causing your symptoms.
At Twin Oaks in Fargo, we won’t order yet another TSH or T3 T4 lab test. Rather, we will conduct nine different labs to assess full thyroid function. We will also take into account the rest of the body… the gut, liver, and muscles. In many cases, many factors are impacting your health!
It’s time to start feeling better by transforming your health instead of taking more medications. To get started, click on the link below.
Common Thyroid Conditions We Manage
You might suspect that you have a specific thyroid issue. In that case, here is a list of conditions we manage. Functional medicine is particularly effective at addressing complex, chronic conditions like thyroid problems. Why? Because our root-cause approach finds out exactly what’s going on with your health, and we don’t settle for basic “symptom management” with medications.
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. This leads to inflammation and gradual destruction of thyroid tissue, resulting in decreased production of thyroid hormones. It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, especially in women. Symptoms may include fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, depression, and muscle weakness.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition characterized by excessive production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. The most common cause is an autoimmune disorder called Graves’ disease, where antibodies stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more hormones. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include weight loss, increased appetite, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, and trembling hands. Graves’ disease can also cause eye problems, known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism refers to an underactive thyroid gland, leading to inadequate production of thyroid hormones. It can be caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, thyroid surgery, radiation therapy, or certain medications. The symptoms of hypothyroidism often develop slowly and include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, constipation, and depression. If left unaddressed, it can lead to complications such as heart disease and infertility. Get help from our thyroid doctor in Fargo.
Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid gland, which can result in temporary hyperthyroidism followed by hypothyroidism. There are several types of thyroiditis, including subacute thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis, and silent thyroiditis. Subacute thyroiditis typically follows a viral infection and causes neck pain, fever, and fatigue. Postpartum thyroiditis occurs in some women after childbirth, leading to temporary thyroid dysfunction. Silent thyroiditis is painless and typically occurs without an apparent cause.
The Functional Medicine Approach to Thyroid Conditions
Functional medicine doctors approach the care of thyroid conditions by considering your body as a whole, focusing on addressing the root causes of the condition rather than just alleviating symptoms. At Twin Oaks, we promise to take a comprehensive and personalized approach to evaluate each patient’s unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that may contribute to thyroid dysfunction. We strive to provide the most personalized medical care you can find in Fargo and all of North Dakota.
Your thyroid health plan will touch on many areas of health. Here are some key aspects of how functional medicine doctors may address thyroid conditions:
Functional medicine doctors perform a detailed evaluation of the patient’s medical history, lifestyle, diet, stress levels, exposure to toxins, and other relevant factors. They may also order specialized tests to assess nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, immune function, gut health, and genetic markers that may impact thyroid health. For thyroid conditions, we aim to provide the most comprehensive evaluation possible so that we don’t miss a thing.
Nutrition can’t be neglected when dealing with thyroid health. Dr. Sauer may recommend a whole foods-based diet that focuses on nutrient-dense foods, including iodine-rich sources, selenium, zinc, vitamin D, and other micronutrients essential for thyroid function. He may also advise avoiding or minimizing certain foods, such as gluten, that can trigger autoimmune responses in susceptible individuals.
Thyroid issues are fundamentally hormone problems. This means we will want to balance hormones and support the body’s metabolic processes. This may involve optimizing thyroid hormone levels through medication or natural alternatives, addressing imbalances in other hormone systems (such as adrenal and sex hormones), and supporting the body’s energy production and detoxification pathways.
Functional medicine recognizes the important connection between gut health and thyroid function. These doctors may address issues like gut dysbiosis, leaky gut, or food sensitivities that can contribute to thyroid dysfunction. Strategies may include using probiotics, gut-healing protocols, and dietary modifications to support a healthy gut microbiome.
Chronic stress can impact thyroid function, so functional medicine doctors prioritize stress management techniques. They may recommend relaxation exercises, meditation, mindfulness practices, regular exercise, and other stress reduction strategies to support overall well-being and thyroid health.
Finally, our thyroid care plans in Fargo emphasize patient education and empower individuals to take an active role in their healing journey. We want to educate patients like you about their conditions, the underlying factor, and lifestyle changes they can make to improve their thyroid health.
Thyroid Management Without Medication Overload
Many conventional thyroid doctors in Fargo and elsewhere will prescribe thyroid medication to improve symptoms. While some medication is helpful and improves patient quality of life, it is usually not effective at truly healing the thyroid.
There are a few reasons why medications cannot fully fix thyroid conditions. One reason is that thyroid conditions often have underlying root causes beyond hormone imbalances, such as genetic factors, nutrient deficiencies, gut health issues, chronic infections, toxins, and stress. Focusing solely on medication may not address these underlying causes. Additionally, individual variations in medication response, absorption, and metabolism can affect outcomes. Inadequate dosage or adjustment may result in incomplete symptom relief or hormonal imbalances. Difficulties in converting thyroid hormones to their active forms can also contribute to ongoing symptoms.
Lifestyle factors, including diet, stress, sleep, exercise, and toxin exposure, can impact thyroid health and medication effectiveness. Furthermore, the autoimmune nature of thyroid conditions may require comprehensive approaches to address immune system dysfunction and inflammation. A holistic and personalized approach developed by a functional medicine thyroid doctor in Fargo is essential to optimize care and address the diverse factors contributing to thyroid conditions.
Twin Oaks Health: An Excellent Thyroid Clinic in Fargo, North Dakota
Are you looking for care for an existing thyroid condition?
Are you looking for comprehensive testing to see if you have a thyroid condition?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, then come visit Twin Oaks. Our friendly, knowledgeable team is here to explain our approach and get you started on the road to health. We’re happy to answer any questions you have about wellness plans or thyroid health in general.
The best way to get started is to schedule a call with Dr. Sauer’ team. Watch our insightful webinar and then select your time. We look forward to talking to you about improving your thyroid health!
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4166 31st AVE S.
Fargo, ND 58104
(701) 356-3255