Everything You Need to Know About Low Thyroid
Did you know that doctors under diagnose thyroid issues?
Did you know that most people don't even know they are suffering from Thyroid problems?
Let's dive deeper into what the thyroid is and what its job is in the body.
What is the Thyroid Gland?
The Thyroid Gland is located in the front of our neck where we think of men’s adam’s apples are. It is a small gland that secretes hormones that regulate the activities of just about every cell in our body, it controls the body's sensitivities to other hormones such as estrogen and cortisol. It regulates the calories we burn and maintains our metabolism. So now you're probably thinking, what are the symptoms of Low Thyroid?
Symptoms of Low Thyroid
These symptoms often get overlooked by ourselves, our friends and family and our doctors. We chalk it up to something stressful going on in your life or not sleeping well, or you just don’t notice since you always feel this way…
Fatigue
Weight gain
Sensitive to the cold
Cold hands and feet
Always feeling cold
Constipation
Depression
Irregular periods
Muscle cramps
Dry scaly skin
Loss of libido
Slow thoughts
“Do you have these symptoms, saw your doctor and they told you that your blood work says everything is normal? This is so so common but doesn’t mean its right! If you are experiencing these symptoms then everything is NOT normal!”
What is the Difference Between a Normal Thyroid and Low thyroid
If your Thyroid is healthy, it produces the hormones in correct amounts such as Thyroxine (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3), T2, T1, and reverse T3. The majority of Thyroid issues are due to low thyroid hormone. TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is made by the Master Gland, the Pituitary which is regulated by the hypothalamus and limbic system.
When you are experiencing underactive thyroid function or hypothyroidism, you don't make enough thyroid hormones for your body's needs. Things like autoimmune disorders, stress, environment, genetics, radiation treatment, EMFs, vitamin D deficiency can keep your Thyroid Gland from making the right amount you need.
Hashimoto’s Disease
Hashimoto’s disease is one of the most common autoimmune disorders that cause underactive thyroid. This causes your body’s immune system to attack the Thyroid Gland, causing inflammation and an underproduction of thyroid hormones. Burnout occurs when the thyroid is unable to produce a sustainable amount of Thyroid hormone and your Thyroid gland is damaged. Hashimoto is known to progress slowly over several years.
Did you know that women in middle age are diagnosed up to 20 times more than men?
Pregnancy and Hypothyroidism
Approximately 1 in 12 of women will develop postpartum thyroiditis. Many doctors don't think to check a woman's Thyroid after giving birth. Unfortunately, too many women suffer from unrecognized Thyroid conditions postpartum due to postpartum symptoms being similar to an unbalanced thyroid such as weight gain or loss, anxiety, irritability, fatigue and more.
Did you know that you can take a Thyroid Test in your very own home?
The Basal Body Temperature Test
The Basal Body Temperature test is a method to help test your Thyroid function as your temperature is regulated by your thyroid hormones.
Using a specific thermometer , in the morning is when your body temperature is at its lowest and highest at night. Checking your temperature under your arm first thing in the morning is the best way to test. The normal range is between 97.8 and 98.2 if your temperature is below 97.8 this is more evidence that you may have a low functioning thyroid.
Vitamins and Minerals for Low Thyroid
These are the top nutrients to nourish our thyroids
Copper
Zinc
Selenium
Vitamin A
Iron
Vitamin D
Copper Oysters, eggs, meat, nuts and seeds are great sources of copper
Zinc: Whole grains, beans, peas, and lentils are the best sources for zinc
Selenium: poultry, eggs, seafood, shellfish and any lean meat is a great source of selenium
Vitamin A: carrots, broccoli, squash, liver and fish are great sources of Vitamin A
Iron: grass fed and grass finished beef, organic tofu, lentils, beans, cashews, quinoa are good sources of Iron
Vitamin D: wild salmon, red pasture raised meat, grass fed liver, mushrooms and pasture raised egg yolks are good sources of Vitamin D
I think everyone can help balance their Thyroid hormones to ease some of the symptoms of low thyroid. By eating a whole foods, nutrient dense diet, getting adequate amounts of sleep and movement and following up with their natural health care provider can aid in achieving optimal Thyroid health!
Citations
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8541-thyroid-disease
https://revivelifeclinic.com/how-to-take-your-basal-body-temperature-
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-thyroiditis/symptoms-causes/syc-20376675#:~:text=Postpartum%20thyroiditis%20is%20an%20uncommon,lasts%20several%20weeks%20to%20months.
