Shift your thyroid into gear

Imagine your thyroid is the gear stick of a car. Switching gears allows you to back up, change speed, or park the vehicle. Your thyroid controls the rate of your metabolism, just like the gearstick. This butterfly-shaped gland sits at the front of the neck. It produces hormones that control your body’s metabolism. Watch out for these common issues!

Low and high gears: Low and higher levels of thyroid hormones can cause energy issues in your body too. If your thyroid isn’t producing enough thyroid hormones, you may have hypothyroidism, a condition that causes weight gain. If your body starts producing too many thyroid hormones, you may experience weight loss. Unexplained weight gain or loss is a sign of thyroid issues.

Rust build-up: When your car starts to accumulate rust spots, you know that something is wrong. Your thyroid sends the same type of signals to your body. Watch for swelling in the neck, lumps or goiters. These issues are all signs of a thyroid disorder.

Bad shifting: You know the uncomfortable jerking that comes with teaching a person how to transition between gears smoothly? It’s unsettling. If your thyroid is out of wack, your body may experience that same feeling. Thyroid issues can cause changes in your heart rate, heart palpitations and increased blood pressure.

Stop and Go Driving: There’s nothing as freeing as driving fast down the highway, and nothing quite as frustrating as sitting in stop and go traffic. Your thyroid can make your moods fluctuate like your daily commute. People with hypothyroidism can feel tired, overworked and depressed. Those with hyperthyroidism can feel anxious, have trouble sleeping or feeling cranky. These feelings don’t just stop once you pull into the garage, consult a doctor if you have noticed a change in your disposition.

If there is a problem with your car, you take it to the mechanic. They pop the hood, do a little poking around, find the problem and then fix it. Going to the doctor about your health issues isn’t quite the same. Your body is not as easy to repair. That’s why we are here to help you. We dig deep to find the source of your symptoms and help come up with a treatment plan that will get your body back on track. Over the years, we have seen that the thyroid can often be the cause of many of the health issues we face. Don’t neglect your thyroid health. It’s the gear shift that keeps your body running.