DON’T TAKE YOUR THYROID FOR GRANTED

 pic from http://thyroid.about.com

After having life-long menstrual irregularities and weight issues, I am now learning to respect the all too underated Thyroid.

The thyroid controls the metabolism of every cell in the body! There are so many freakin’ myths out there about thyroid problems. Thyroid problems really do make it nearly impossible to lose weight and make it extremely difficult to maintain a healthy weight. A acupuncturist friend of mine told me she had a very fit client who ran 5 miles daily, lifted weights regularly, and was forced to subsist on diet of boiled eggs, all veggie salads, and a few almonds. Anything in addition and this ultra-disciplined woman would blimp up. The root cause: under-functioning thyroid.

Most doctors do not know how to detect the thyroid problems that are an epidemic in the U.S., mostly due to our crappy S.A.D. (standard american diet) that is void of the nutrients necessary for the thyroid to function, and full of the nasty stuff that inhibit the functioning of the thyroid (gluten for those sensitive to gluten, hormone heavy dairy products, and artificial sweeteners to name a few).

Another myth about thyroid problems is that only women have them. This is a myth. Men eat the same S.A.D. as women, and an out of whack thyroid will impact their well being as acutely as women. One little-known symptom of low thyroid in men: early hair loss.

Last month I added some foods back into my diet after being on a hard-core elimination diet for 3 months. I also got engaged, a happy thing, but a major life stressor. Stress can throw off the functioning of the thyroid. I found myself unable to sleep,  and my weight inexplicably went up 8 lbs in 2 weeks! My thyroid went wacko!

My Doc suggested increasing my thyroid meds after 2 weeks of me sticking to a very clean diet, my weight not budging, and me still sleepless despite trying a dozen different natural and prescription sleep remedies.

I increased my meds, and in 5 days lost 4 pounds and found myself sleeping through the night.

I don’t take synthroid, which most traditional docs will tell you is the only thyroid med. out there that is safe and has valid clinical efficacy. They might also tell you that your test results do not show low thyroid. If they tell you either of these things, find a new doctor!!!! These are all lies, and there have been plenty of double-blind clinical trials with a host of other prescription and non-prescription thyroid meds. Blood tests do not always accurately portray what is going on with the thyroid, but your symptoms do. These docs aren’t evil, just misinformed. Thyroid problems are incredibly complex, and proper treatment involves testing to rule out underlying medical conditions that may be causing the thyroid problem, treating those conditions, getting the diet and lifestyle in proper order, discerning the correct dosage of the correct med or combo of meds, and then continual monitoring of thyroid hormone levels with subsequent adjustment of thyroid meds.

Some symptoms of out of whack thyroid:

gaining weight inappropriately
unable to lose weight with diet/exercise
constipation, sometimes severely
hypothermia/low body temperature (feel cold when others feel hot, need extra sweaters, etc.)
feel fatigued, exhausted
Feeling run down, sluggish, lethargic
hair is coarse and dry, breaking, brittle, falling out
skin is coarse, dry, scaly, and thick
have a hoarse or gravely voice
have puffiness and swelling around the eyes and face
have pains, aches in joints, hands and feet
have developed carpal-tunnel syndrome, or it’s getting worse 
irregular menstrual cycles (longer, or heavier, or more frequent)
having trouble conceiving a baby
depression
feel restless
moods change easily
feelings of worthlessness 
have difficulty concentrating
have more feelings of sadness 
seem to be losing interest in normal daily activities
more forgetful lately 
hair is falling out
memory problems
no sex drive
getting more frequent infections, that last longer 
snoring more lately
have/may have sleep apnea 
feel shortness of breath and tightness in the chest
feel the need to yawn to get oxygen 
eyes feel gritty and dry
eyes feel sensitive to light 
eyes get jumpy/tics in eyes,  me dizzy/vertigo and have headaches
strange feelings in neck or throat 
tinnitus (ringing in ears) 
recurrent sinus infections 
vertigo 
lightheadedness 
severe menstrual cramps

I take Nature Thyroid, which is dessicated pig thyroid gland. It works like a charm.

For more info on the thyroid, thyroid problems, quizzes to identify if and what thyroid problem you may have, and a list of good thyroid docs, go to:

 http://thyroid.about.com/library/quiz2/blthyroidquiz.htm