Are you feeling sluggish, depressed, and foggy brained?
You could have a thyroid disorder.
Thyroid disorders can often be linked with hormonal issues, since your thyroid is involved in the function of many different hormones in your body.
As a result, naturopathic treatments for hormonal issues may be effective in treating thyroid disorders.
Read more below to understand the 10 symptoms of thyroid disorders and how they can affect your body’s function.
10 Symptoms Of Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland located in your neck, just below your jaw line.
It’s part of a series of glands in your body called your endocrine system.
Your thyroid gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormone (TH).
This hormone helps to regulate your metabolism, heartbeat, and temperature, so if you have a problem with your thyroid gland, it can affect the majority of your body’s systems.
Women are especially vulnerable to thyroid disorders and are 7 times more likely to experience a thyroid disorder than men – some estimate almost 30% of women over 35 have a thyroid disorder.
But it isn’t just women who are affected and half of thyroid disorder sufferers do not even know they have it (source for stats).
Common Thyroid Disorders
Having a thyroid disorder means your body is either producing too much or too little of the thyroid hormone or the gland itself is attacked by the immune system.
Hypothyroidism, which is the medical name for an under-active thyroid, is the most common thyroid disorder.
If you have hypothyroidism, your body’s metabolism slows down significantly.
When your thyroid is over-active, is it called hyperthyroidism, which means your metabolism and heart rate speed up.
Hyperthyroidism is less common but mostly affects women.
There are a range of other common thyroid disorders such as:
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Graves’ disease
- Goiter
- Thyroid nodules
- Thyroid cancer
How To Tell If You Have A Thyroid Disorder
There are 10 signs and symptoms to look out for that may indicate you have a thyroid disorder.
1. You’re Always Tired
If you’re feeling exhausted and drained even after a full night sleep.
Persistent fatigue, lethargy and low motivation to exercise.
Others describe a state of “tired but wired”, where you’re commonly exhausted while at the same time have difficulty sleeping.
2. You’re Having Trouble Sleeping
Disrupted sleep patterns such as waking up at odd hours and being unable to get back to sleep may suggest something is of with your thyroid gland.
3. You’re Feeling Anxious
Moodiness. Experiencing anxiety or irritability without a clear cause could be an emotional reaction to thyroid imbalance.
4. Inexplicable Weight Gain Or Loss
Feeling hungry or insatiable after eating and noticing an irregular increase in your appetite may mean something is wrong.
5. Dry Skin And Hair
Changes to your skin and hair may indicate that the normal cycle of skin renewal has been disrupted by a thyroid issue.
6. You’re Feeling Depressed
Many people with thyroid illnesses may feel emotionally overwhelmed, experiencing prolonged sadness or depression, or inability to cope with stress.
7. You’re Too Hot Or Too Cold
If your body temperature is not well regulated, it could be a sign of a thyroid disorder.
Intolerance to cold or heat may be one of the signs of thyroid hormone imbalance.
8. Menstrual Irregularities
Experiencing PMS and irregular periods could be a result of overall hormone imbalances orchestrated by a thyroid condition.
9. You Have A Lump In Your Throat
Neck swelling, especially around your thyroid could be due to an enlarged thyroid gland.
If you notice a large lump or experience pain around your neck this may be an obvious sign.
10. You’ve Gained Or Lost Weight Recently
Gaining weight suddenly that you are unable to lose may indicate a thyroid disorder.
Your low hormone levels may mean your metabolism shifts to a decreased rate.
Contact Dr. Simona
Catching a thyroid disorder early can make a big difference in your everyday function.
Thyroid hormones are crucial to your growth and metabolism and the effects of thyroid disorders can have significant impacts on your health.
If any of these signs sound familiar you should come visit me, Dr. Simona, to assess your symptoms and help to restore your metabolic levels.
Make your wellness a priority and take the journey toward your healthiest self.
