Being sick all the time can make you feel run down and overwhelmed. But it doesn’t have to!
Peak performance means performing your best when you are healthy as well as when you are not. It’s not enough to just take vitamins to boost your immune system. You also have to take a health check to make sure you’re doing better. This is especially important if you have a condition that is triggered by stress, or if you have a family history of the same.
If you’re not feeling 100% yet, it’s best to check in with your doctor. They can check your hormones, check for any skin disorders, and recommend any additional testing. But what if you’re not sure if you’re ready to get back on the horse? That’s where taking a thd health check comes in! Here, we’ll give you all the details you need to know about taking a thd health check.
What is a Thd Health Check?
A thd health check is a simple and non-invasive way to evaluate the functioning of your endocrine (hormone) system. It’s the “th” in the acronym THD—thyroid, hypothalamus, and dopaminergic (yes, that includes dopamine). The hypothalamus and dopamine are the two key players. They are responsible for regulating many important functions in the body, including:
Alertness (sleep/wake cycle)
(sleep/wake cycle) Mood (happiness, sadness, anger, and stress)
(happiness, sadness, anger, and stress) Appetite (not just for food, but also sex and drugs)
(not just for food, but also for sex and drugs) Cravings for substances (caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, etc.)
These three “organs” work together to create a healthy and balanced body. But when they aren’t functioning properly, it can impact every system in your body. Here are some of the conditions that can be affected by a thd health check.
Thyroid Disorders: This is the most common disorder that can be impacted by a thd health check. If your thyroid isn’t working properly, your body won’t be able to absorb the nutrients it needs to function. You may experience: Fatigue
Muscle weakness
An increased risk of infection
Hair loss (on your head and/or your eyebrows)
(on your head and/or your eyebrows) Depression
Weight gain
Poor mental function (moodiness, impulsivity, inability to focus, etc.)
If your doctor orders a thd health check and you have a thyroid disorder, it will be able to identify what kind and how severe it is. Regular thyroid medication is usually the first step, but there are a few other options.
Adrenal Disorders: Your adrenal glands are two small glands near your kidneys that produce hormones that affect your entire body. They play a big role in regulating things like Stress
Mood
Fatigue
If your adrenal glands aren’t working properly, you may experience: Coughing
Muscle weakness
Insomnia
Weight loss
Poor emotional control
Hair loss (on your head and/or your eyebrows)
(on your head and/or your eyebrows) Difficulty concentrating
Thyroid Disorders and Adrenal Disorders are two of the most common conditions impacted by a thd health check. But your doctor can also look for other conditions, like Celiac Disease and B12 Deficiency.
Celiac Disease: Celiac Disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the small intestine. It’s triggered by gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, and other grains), but can also occur in people who aren’t eating those foods. Once you have it, you’re likely to develop autoimmunity to other foods that contain gluten. Some of the other side effects of having celiac disease include: Diarrhea
Poor absorption of nutrients
Weakness
Weight loss
Bloatedness
Hair loss (on your head and/or your eyebrows)
(on your head and/or your eyebrows) Depression
Anemia
Thyroid disorders and celiac disease often go hand-in-hand. A thd health check can identify both conditions, as well as make recommendations on what to do about them.
Why Take a Thd Health Check?
There are many reasons to take a thd health check, but here are a few of the most common. If you’re not feeling 100% yet, or you’re dealing with a condition that’s impacted by low mood, a thd health check can help you identify what you’re missing and get back on track. What’s more, it can help find out what’s causing your low mood, so you can correct the problem and feel better.
How to Take a Thd Health Check
There are a few ways to go about taking a thd health check. You can:
Ask your doctor for a referral. Many endocrinologists (doctors that specialize in the hormones of the body) are also obstetricians/gynecologists. This means they are well versed in the intricacies of the female body as well as the male. If you ask your doctor for a referral to a thd health check, they can refer you to a doctor that is right for you.
Self-test for thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormones. This is the easiest way to do a thd health check. You can purchase a home blood test kit at your local drugstore and do the tests yourself at home. The results are usually available in about a week.
Have your blood drawn at the doctor’s office. This is the most direct way to get your blood drawn, but it’s also the most intimidating. You can always call ahead and make an appointment, or check out our guide on how to get blood work done at the doctor’s office.
How Often Should You Take a Thd Health Check?
Most people should take a thd health check once a year. But if your doctor has detected something wrong with your hormones, you should take a check every six months until you are back to normal. Here are some guidelines:
If you are age 30 or under, you should take a thd health check before age 35.
If you are age 31 to 35, you should take a thd health check once a year.
If you are age 36 or older, you should take a thd health check every six months.
Is Taking a Thd Health Check Right for You?
If you’ve made it this far, you must be interested in taking a thd health check! But there are a few questions you should ask yourself before starting the process. Here are a few things to check out:
Do you have a thyroid disorder or low mood that is not related to any particular event? If so, it’s best to get that diagnosed and treated before starting a program like this.
Do you struggle with any major depressive disorder? This can often be a side effect of low thyroid function, and can interfere with the results of a thd health check.
Do you have any other medical conditions that may be caused by low mood, like weight loss, bloating, muscle cramps, etc? Heart conditions, diabetes, and high blood pressure are all conditions that can be impacted by low mood.
Bottom line
Taking a thd health check is a quick and easy way to get a better understanding of how your endocrine system is functioning. It can help you identify what’s gone wrong, and get back on track. And, it can help you rule out other conditions that may be causing your low mood and symptoms.
That said, don’t be afraid of the dentist! Many people, including dentists, are unaware that your teeth can be a great indicator of what’s going on in your body. So, don’t be shy about talking to your dentist if you have any questions about your health or if you’re experiencing any symptoms. They can perform a thorough check, take x-rays, and check your teeth for signs of damage or disease.
