What if my doctor says my thyroid is normal, but I don’t feel normal?
Hypothyroidism is often the last suspect for not feeling normal.
Have you tried to lose weight, but nothing works?
Are you struggling to peel yourself out of bed every morning even when you get a full night’s sleep?
If so, there is a good chance your thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormones. You may be among the 30 million people with an undiagnosed thyroid condition, which is one of the most overlooked diseases in our country today. An underactive thyroid — hypothyroidism — affects as many as 1 in 7 adults and it is becoming more common every year.
It is not readily diagnosed. Most conventional healthcare practitioners simply check your thyroid by measuring your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) level. Unfortunately, your TSH is a poor indicator for thyroid dysfunction because it changes so late in the game. The healthcare system is failing you! This is why most thyroid conditions are not diagnosed in the early stages, causing you to suffer for many years, sometimes even decades, until the dysfunction becomes severe enough to be detected by traditional lab tests.
What are Symptoms of Hypothyroidism?
Healthy thyroid function is important for energy, achieving and maintaining ideal weight and a general sense of vitality. Symptoms can vary dramatically from person to person and can be mild to absolutely debilitating.
Brain fog- Fatigue and sluggishness
- Unexplained belly fat
- Depression
- Moody
- Hair loss
- Constipation
- Cold hands and feet
- Joint or muscle pain
- Tiredness
- Pale, dry skin
- Hoarse voice
- Weakness
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Brittle nails
- Swollen legs, hands, abdomen & face
- Migraines or headaches
- Decreased memory
- Difficulty focusing
- Menstrual irregularities
- PMS symptoms
- Infertility
- Endometriosis
- Anxiety and/or panic attacks
- Insomnia
- Low sexual desire
What if your Hypothyroidism is left Undetected?
The reason symptoms are so extensive and draining is because every cell in the human body has receptor sites for thyroid hormones. This means all tissues of the body including the brain, heart, bones and muscles require thyroid hormones to function properly. Therefore, a lack of thyroid hormones leads to a decline in all your bodily systems. If a thyroid condition is left untreated or is not treated correctly, it can cause all types of complications:
- Goiter: Hypothyroidism is one of the most common causes of goiters, which is an abnormal enlargement of the gland. It is typically not uncomfortable, although a large goiter may affect your appearance. More importantly an enlarged goiter can interfere with swallowing or breathing.
- Heart disease: Heart disease kills more people each year than all forms of cancer combined.
- Mental health issues: Depression may occur early in Hashimoto’s disease and may become more severe over time. It can also lead to trouble concentrating and brain fog.
- Decreased libido and sexual desire: Lack of affection can cause complications in your intimate relationship.
- Myxedema: Severe, untreated hypothyroidism can even lead to a life-threatening condition called myxedema, a type of coma that occurs when the body’s levels of thyroid hormones become extremely low. This can easily be triggered by an infection, medication or exposure to extreme cold in someone with an underactive thyroid. Approximately 50% of people who develop myxedema, die if diagnosed too late.
- Birth defects: Babies born to women with untreated hypothyroidism may have a higher risk of birth defects and are more prone to intellectual and developmental problems. A connection also exists between hypothyroid pregnancies and heart, brain and kidney problems in infants. If you’re planning on getting pregnant or if you’re currently pregnant, getting assessed by a functional medicine doctor must be a priority.
Why Specialized Testing Is Crucial in Detecting Hypothyroidism
Ninety percent of thyroid problems are misdiagnosed. In 90% of cases, hypothyroidism is actually a problem with the immune system attacking the thyroid. This is called Hashimoto’s disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. It primarily affects middle-aged women, but can occur in men and women at any age and even in children.
Since the immune system is what slowly destroys the thyroid gland, the problem lies with the immune system, not the thyroid. The question that must be answered is: why is the immune system attacking the thyroid? Answers to this question are not readily available from the cursory test you might receive at your doctor’s office. At LivingYoung, we offer comprehensive, in-depth thyroid testing that provides a complete picture of your thyroid health. We not only isolate the cause of your issue, but, more importantly, have treatment modalities to correct it. The sooner underlying issues are resolved, the quicker patients feel better. Therefore, it’s best not to wait until becoming debilitated before seeking help. Contact us and we will guide you in the transformation of your health, uncover and address the underlying root causes of your thyroid imbalances.
