Thyroid disease is a nationwide epidemic. It is lurking in the midst of millions of people, mostly women over 50, and is a large cause for so many feeling horrible. The thyroid can be over-functioning, which is called hyperthyroidism, and more typically, under-functioning, which is known as hypothyroidism, or low thyroid. Hypothyroidism is much more common and presents with a wide range of signs and symptoms. Here are some of the most typical key signs and symptoms:
Fatigue
Debilitatingly low energy, an inability to get started in the morning or even get out of bed, can be one of the first signs. This is normally accompanied by a lack of motivation and zest for life. The fatigue normally does not relieve and stays this way throughout the day. The thyroid is the main endocrine organ that regulates the metabolism through thyroid hormone. If it’s low, you are slow!
Constipation
Assuming a relatively normal diet and water intake, chronic constipation and bowel disturbances could be a key sign that your thyroid is under-active. Since the thyroid is increasing the metabolism of the body, it also increases the ability of the gastrointestinal tract to function properly. When the thyroid is low, everything is slowing down.
Body-wide muscle and joint pain
As we get a little older, it is not uncommon to have a few more aches and pains, but diffuse muscle and joint pain to a larger extreme could be due to low thyroid function. Thyroid hormone increases the ability of muscle and joint tissue to remain lose and active.
Poor memory and an inability to focus
Thyroid hormone is responsible for maintaining proper brain function on a multitude of levels. When low, basic thinking is “foggy,” as if a veil of confusion is draped over you. Forgetting where you put your keys or not being able to get that word from your brain to your mouth could be an indicator.
Unexplained depression
Unfortunately, there are thousands of people with depression that could be helped by the proper use of thyroid hormone medication, if they were properly diagnosed. The diagnosis of low thyroid remains elusive for so many with chronic depression. Know that there is always hope.
What can I do about it?
Get Diagnosed! A basic blood test utilizing the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is the first step towards diagnosis for most doctors. But this test is not always effective at making a proper diagnosis and has resulted in millions going untreated and ignored. Consider an alternative approach and opinion if you still believe that low thyroid may why you are feeling the way you do. If you are already on synthetic thyroid medication and your symptoms are not helped, then consider natural forms of thyroid medication such as Nature Throid.™
I use a unique medical approach for thyroid diagnosis and monitoring, closely following signs and symptoms that are related to thyroid disease, that allow patients to experience an optimized sense of well being. This is the key. If you only follow labs, you will be lost as a clinician and feeling lousy as the patient.
If you think you have a thyroid disorder or have one and don’t feel like you are getting the results you would like, then give me a call or send me a message.
To Your Thyroid Health!
Dr. Robinson
