Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, and an important part of the endocrine system (which produces and controls hormones). Thyroid hormones control the rate of many activities in your body; almost every cell in your body as a receptor for thyroid hormone! It affects and controls:
- Heart rate and body temperature
- Metabolism
- Physical energy
- Brain and mental focus/clarity
- Digestion
- Mood regulation
- Sex/Reproductive Hormone production (like estradiol and progesterone)
- Skin, hair and nail health
- Sleep
And SO much more! The thyroid affects every system within your body. If the thyroid gland is not active enough, that means it does NOT MAKE ENOUGH thyroid hormone to meet your body’s needs. This condition is considered hypothyroidism. When the body is making too MUCH thyroid hormone, this is considered Hyperthyroidism.
- An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease.
- Up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition.
- Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems.
- One woman in eight will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime.
What are some signs of a Thyroid Imbalance?
I’ve had all of these listed at one point that are listed in the Hypo category, plus some in the Hyper, as the Thyroid can “swing” back and forth, trying to regulate itself.
Hypothyroidism Symptoms:
Overall Fatigue & low energy
Muscle and joint pain
Feeling bloated & puffy (chronic inflammation)
Digestive issues: constipation, food sensitivities
Weight gain
Dry skin, thinning hair, brittle or weak nails
Decreased/low blood pressure & heart rate
Menstrual irregularities or amenorrhea
Low sex hormone levels & Low Libido
Infertility
Low body temperature, feeling cold
Brain fog, lack of cognitive clarity
Feeling apathetic, depressed moods, lack of motivation or “zest for life”
Functional Medicine considers Hypothyroidism having lab blood tests with a TSH over 4.0, plus the Active T4 and T3 levels low as well. Everyone’s “optimal levels” are different. Make sure you and your practitioner acknowledge your symptoms, how you feel, function AND your lab results into consideration before making a diagnosis and plan.
Hyperthyroidism Symptoms:
(Unexplained) Weight loss
Racing pulse, heart palpitations, elevated heart rate
Increased body temperature, feeling hot, excessive sweating
Digestive issues (diarrhea and frequent bathroom visits)
Anxiety, irritability & mood swings
Goiter (enlarged thyroid glands)
Insomnia and trouble sleeping
Muscle tremors and aches (from not recovering properly)
Hyperthyroidism is usually diagnosed with a TSH under 0.5 and the active T4 and T3 levels high, above the optimal range. More is not better in the case of the thyroid! It is truly the Goldilocks principle and finding what levels your body thrives the best on.
Triggers of Thyroid Dysfunction:
- Systemic inflammation
- Chronic Stress
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Poor inflammatory diet
- Unhealthy body weight
- Medications
- Sedentary lifestyles
- Poor Gut Health
- Poor Liver Health & Detoxification Pathways
- Environmental Toxin Exposure
Your Thyroid affects EVERY system of the body! So don’t discount these symptoms, especially if they have been adding up over time. Now, these symptoms can be correlated to many other factors/conditions, but it is important to rule out any thyroid issues. They are simple blood tests and can answer a lot of questions! Don’t be afraid to look into what could be causing the way you feel.
Make sure you get a FULL thyroid panel done to show all of the answers 👍
You can find that list on a previous post Thyroid Health: What you should be Testing
Questions? Send me a message or comment below! I’d be happy to chat with you 🙂
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