I thought I should post the signs and symptoms of Hypothyroidism/Hashimotos. I also want to give a brief list of things that your thyroid controls. I wanted to post this, because last night I was watching Real Housewives of Orange County, yes, I do watch this train wreck of a show, and one of the lady's daughter has thyroid cancer, and has been dealing with symptoms for about 3 years now. It made me realize how important it is to recognize all of these things and then get tested if it applies to you or someone you know. Because if it is left untreated, it can cause cancer. The thyroid truly is a tricky little organ that controls more of your body than you would think.
So here we go.
What your thyroid helps your body do
- Helps regulate your heart beat properly
- Helps regulate breathing properly
- Helps regulate digestive system function
- Helps regulate proper muscle and bone growth
- Helps regulate proper brain function
- Helps regulate proper hormonal balance with the reproductive system
- Low body temperature
- Irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Extreme tiredness
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Brain fog (can't think clearly or focus)
- Digestive problems
- Constipation
- Headaches upon waking up
- Dizziness upon waking up
- Rapid weight Gain
- Ovarian cysts
- Irregular menstruation
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Ringing in the ears
- Loss of sex drive
- Irregular blood pressure (high then low or vice versa)
- Course, brittle hair
- Dry, scaly skin
- Puffiness around the eyes or eyelids
- Slow speech
- Slowed reflexes
- Hoarseness of the voice
- Swollen throat (inflamed thyroid) and or lumps in the throat
- Sensitivity to cold
Make sure you take care of you. Leaving a thyroid undiagnosed can eventually lead to CANCER! I know it's a scary reality, but that's why I am so passionate about people getting checked out.
Getting tested
You can ask your general practitioner for thyroid testing. If you're a lady, you can also ask you OB/GYN. Just a little side note, about 80% of people with hypothyroidism actually have Hashimotos. Make sure you ask you doctor to also the test for Hashimotos (it's referred to as a TPO - thyroid peroxidase). It is important to know if you have Hashimotos because unlike hypothyroidism, Hashimotos is when the immune system attacks/destroys your thyroid. Which make it really important to eat gluten free.
- Make sure you get your levels read back to you and keep track of them. Write them down!
- Be assertive with your doctor. Not all doctors are understanding. Most of them have a hard time realizing your levels can be normal, but you still have symptoms. Most doctors also use the TSH levels as their main test to diagnose. Some doctors use the old levels of a TSH of 0.5-5. The current levels for normal TSH are 0.3-3. Personally, I feel better at the lowest end of this range. If I am above 0.5 I feel like warmed over poo. Not a good feeling!
- Change your diet! I don't mean to be nagging you on this, but it really is key to getting better.
- Consider going to an Endocrinologist
- Consider going to a Naturopathic Doctor.
- Go get the book Living Well With Hypothyroidism By Mary J. Shomon. It is the all time best book in my opinion to guide you on what to do next.
I will be praying for all of you who are going through this struggle.
I hope this helps!
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email me.
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