Does this sound like you? Cloudy, foggy head, tired, exhausted, struggling to lose weight, constipated, dry flaky skin – and always cold!
These symptoms may be due to an underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism or even Hashimoto’s disease.
I know what you are thinking – you also suspect your thyroid BUT you have had a blood test and you have been told that your thyroid is fine.
The problem is that the routine blood test looks at your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) only. Sometimes you can have normal TSH levels while your other thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, can be out of range, but these are not checked (most of the time). I have seen this happen on more than one occasion in clinic.
When these thyroid hormones are out of balance virtually all bodily functions are affected as the thyroid gland regulates metabolism in every cell of the body! Thyroid problems are more common in women and have a strong family link.
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid
The most notable symptoms I see in clinic from thyroid problems are:
- Lethargy, fatigue, tiredness – just exhausted all the time with no motivation
- Weight! It just won’t shift – no matter what!
- Brain fog that doesn’t seem to lift, memory problems – forgetting conversations you had only an hour ago.
- Always feeling cold, all the way down to your bones.
- Dry skin – it can be dry, itchy and even feel a bit rough.
- Constipation – your bowels just ain’t moving.
What causes thyroid problems?:
• Iodine deficiency – iodine is required for the production of T3 and T4
• Selenium deficiency – selenium is required to convert T4 to T3
• Stress – our main stress hormone, cortisol, can have a direct effect on thyroid hormone production
• Low calorie dieting – and yo-yo dieting
• Toxins – in particular environmental. BPA, pesticides, and mercury all inhibit hormone production and conversion within the thyroid
• Childbirth – a thyroid hormone rollercoaster known as post partum thyroiditis where you can alternate between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism is often seen in the first year after childbirth
What now?
Were you ticking the symptom boxes off as you read through them? I know you are ready for more energy and to feel yourself again!
If you can relate to these symptoms and/or have any family history of hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease, I would strongly recommend investigating further testing.
This is something that we can arrange before or during your first consultation with me. Underactive thyroid is one of my areas of expertise, having treated many women for the condition.
If you would like to look into this further, please do not hesitate to contact me.