Don’t Miss Signs of Hypothyroidism
by Jessica
Shoemaker
The thyroid
gland produces hormones that affect how the body uses energy. Thyroid
imbalances such as hypothyroidism can impact every organ system and affect body
functions from metabolism and digestion to heart rate and mental clarity.
Unfortunately,
the standard thyroid screening test many doctors use often misses
some of the clinical markers of hypothyroid. The most common reason is that
their testing assesses the total hormone levels, but overlooks the free/bioavailable
portion of T4 and T3. This is significant because T3 does the lion’s share of
the work when it comes to metabolism.
Insufficient testing can be disheartening
to patients because although they have the symptoms of hypothyroid, they get
the message they are fine, based on incomplete labs. In order to properly test
for hypothyroid, they must request a test that measures the free components of
thyroid hormone, including T3, not just the total levels.
Specific nutrients like zinc,
copper and selenium are needed to convert thyroid hormone T4 into T3, so a low
T3 that looks like hypothyroidism can actually be caused by nutrient
deficiencies. These are not difficult to correct, but the additional test
must be run to discover these common missing links.
Here are three signs of hypothyroid.
Dryness in stool,
skin or hair.
Hypothyroid often manifests as constipation, a dry, hard stool or a lack of
urge to go on a daily basis. Many people that experience dry skin and hair in
the winter often assume it’s just a seasonal problem and wait months before
looking for a deeper issue. Hair changes and hair loss are clear signs they
need a thyroid workup.
Weight Gain. Thyroid hormones play a major roll
in metabolism and the ability to maintain an optimal weight. Unexplained weight
gain is a classic sign of hypothyroidism. In addition, if the recipe of
diet/nutrition/exercise that has typically yielded weight loss results in the
past suddenly has no positive effect, a thyroid workup is in order.
Fatigue. Oftentimes patients can’t tell the
difference between fatigue and depression because they can feel so similar. If they
suddenly feel sluggish all through the day or only have energy for the highest
priority tasks, a complete thyroid workup is indicated.
The bottom line is not to
settle for incomplete lab workups that could miss the signs of hypothyroid.
Dr. Jessica Shoemaker, ND, is
the owner of Natural Paths to Wellness, located at 3601 Gettysburg Rd., in Camp
Hill. For more information, visit NaturalPathsToWellness.com.
