Have you been feeling tired, gained weight, have sluggish digestion and a foggy brain?
You could have an underactive thyroid.
These thyroid symptoms are common in women especially if they have been under stress. Cortisol, our stress hormone, really impairs thyroid function and it’s common for women to need adrenal and thyroid support concurrently for their symptoms to improve and their thyroid function to return to normal.
The most common hypothyroid symptoms in women include
Fatigue
Weight gain
Poor cognition
Constipation
Dry skin
Cold extremities or sensitivity to cold
Poor mood
Hair loss
Increased cholesterol
Slowed heart rate
Hypothyroid or underactive thyroid is more common, however hyperthyroid is possible and symptoms include
Anxiety and irritability
Palpitations
Weight loss
Feeling hot, night sweats
Insomnia
Increased bowel movements
Energy crashes
Menstrual changes
Hair loss
Your thyroid regulates your metabolic rate – how fast or slow your body functions. This impacts many areas in your body which is why the symptoms can be so wide ranging.
Some thyroid issues are auto-immune based, while others can be from stress or other environmental factors.
If you have had testing done with your GP and been told your thyroid is fine, you could still have a thyroid issue. Due to Medicare restrictions GPs usually only test TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), however without checking your T3 and T4 levels you cannot get a clear picture of your overall thyroid function. Speak to your Naturopath about getting a full thyroid profile if you are concerned you could have a thyroid condition.
The testing range of the three thyroid hormones is quite large, so even if you are in the range, your thyroid could still be functioning sub-optimally. Assessment and treatment of thyroid issues varies significantly between Naturopath’s and GPs.
There are many herbal and nutritional supplements which can support thyroid function, rather than waiting for it to get so bad that you require a synthetic hormone for the rest of your life!
So please don’t ignore these symptoms – there are simple solutions available to help you feel better!
Marion McConnell is a degree qualified Naturopath who helps women with stress, hormone imbalances and thyroid issues. The clinic is located in New Farm Brisbane, and consultations are also available via Skype. You can contact Marion here.