6 Scary Hypothyroid Symptoms (and what to do about them…)
Experiencing the symptoms of hypothyroidism can be a scary thing, especially when you don’t know what’s causing them. Many people suffer for years before getting the right diagnosis and treatment. If you are one of these people, please don’t lose hope. Find out what you can do to get the answers you’ve been searching for and alleviate your symptoms once and for all.
6 Scary Hypothyroid Symptoms (and what to do about them…)
1. Fatigue
Are you so tired and low on energy that you find yourself walking around like a zombie? Do you need several cups of coffee to get you through the day? Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of low thyroid function.
2. Insomnia
Are you up all night tossing and turning? Do you have a difficult time falling and staying asleep? When was the last time you had a good night’s sleep? Hypothyroidism is a common cause of poor sleep and insomnia. Thyroid hormones improve the quality of sleep, allowing you to spend more time in deep phases of sleep. Optimal thyroid function is also helpful for sleep apnea.
3. Mood Swings, Anxiety and Depression
Do you get so moody sometimes that you feel like the wicked witch of the West? Hypothyroidism causes a slowdown of cellular metabolism, which causes a drop in levels of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutric acid (GABA). GABA has a calming effect, which prevents the brain from being overwhelmed by stimulation. Moderately low levels of GABA are linked to anxiety, panic attacks and mood swings.
4. Weight Gain and Fluid Retention
Are you having a hard time losing weight, even though you are eating right and exercising? Low thyroid function could be the culprit.
Hypothyroidism is a common cause of weight gain because it regulates your metabolism and energy production. With low thyroid function, your metabolism slows down, and you don’t generate as much heat or use as many calories. Excess fluid retention can often be attributed to the poor circulation caused by low thyroid function, as well.
5. Brain Fog
We all know what it’s like to feel a little foggy-brained when you have difficulty concentrating or focusing on things. However, what about when it becomes a way of living? You can’t remember that person’s name, words don’t come to mind and you don’t feel as mentally sharp as you used to be. What’s going on? Yes, this is yet another common symptom of hypothyroidism.
When you have a slowed metabolism due to low thyroid function, this can happen. Your brain uses a lot of energy, and when your body can’t provide it, you have symptoms such as lack of focus, difficulty concentrating and short term memory loss.
6. Dry, Pale Skin and Hair Loss
It can be devastating for women and men to lose their hair. It’s such an important part of our overall appearance. Low thyroid function is a common cause of hair loss since it decreases circulation, causing your body to send blood to your most vital organs, like your brain.This results in hair loss and pale, dry skin.
Other notable signs of hypothyroidism are:
Enlarged tongue with teeth indentations
Cold extremities and cold sensitivity
Cold intolerance
Difficulty concentrating and short term memory loss
Muscle pain and cramps
Joint pain
Recurrent and chronic infections
Decreased mental sharpness
Brittle fingernails with ridging
Low basal body temperature
Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
Constipation
Menstrual irregularities
Headaches
Enlarged thyroid gland
How do you properly diagnose hypothyroidism?
We often find that patients come to us experiencing many symptoms of low thyroid function, but were told by their doctor that “they’re fine” and their “blood work is normal.” They leave the doctor’s office feeling hopeless and back at square one, along with prescriptions for antidepressants, sleep medications and anti-anxiety medications.
Conventional doctors typically rely on a single blood test, the TSH, to diagnose hypothyroidism, rather than evaluating the patient’s symptoms. This blood test often fails the patient because the lab range is so wide that it encompasses the majority of the population. Watch as our doctors explain why lab tests are not accurate.
While your thyroid gland may be producing enough thyroid hormones so that the TSH blood test falls within the normal range, your cells may not be able to use those hormones efficiently, which is why you could still have symptoms of hypothyroidism.
At Hotze Health & Wellness Center, we listen to your symptoms. We do perform blood tests, primarily to measure free thyroxine (T4) and to determine whether thyroid antibodies are present. We also look at the total cholesterol and LDL levels because these are often elevated in people with hypothyroidism. However, the primary criterion for diagnosis and treatment is how the patient feels. If the symptoms of hypothyroidism are present, we treat accordingly.
How do you treat hypothyroidism?
We recommend treating with a compounded thyroid preparation that is identical to the thyroid hormones made by your body. It contains both T3, the active thyroid hormone, and T4, the inactive thyroid hormone, along with nutrients from the thyroid gland.
Common synthetic thyroid preparations such as Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid, and other levothyroxine sodium products contain only a synthetic version of T4, the inactive form of thyroid hormone. These are conventional doctors’ treatment of choice. This may work for you if your body is perfect at converting the inactive T4 to the active T3 that your body needs, however many people still suffer from hypothyroid symptoms on these medications.
Do you have hypothyroidism?
Don’t wait – take our symptom checker quiz now to find out if you have symptoms of hypothyroidism. Contact us today for a complimentary wellness consultation at 281-698-8698. It’s time to finally get the answers you’ve been searching for!
