Could It Be My Thyroid?

Is something, or several things, just “off” with you? Maybe you’re tired all the time, or your joints hurt, or maybe you can’t seem to think as clearly as you once did? Do you fight the “blues”, struggle with constipation, or have thinning hair? Do you feel cold when you shouldn’t, or experience overly dry skin? Guess what? Any and all of those conditions can be related to a malfunctioning, or non-functioning thyroid. While there are two other equally serious thyroid conditions, one being a thyroid that is over functioning, and the other being one that bounces between the wo, we are going to focus on low thyroid function, as this is the most common condition present in women our age.

The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland, located at the base of our throats. It serves as a sort of traffic cop, as the hormones it secrets give directions to almost every organ in our bodies. These hormones ignite our metabolism, while processing the vitamins we eat, in order to produce energy. Women are seven times more likely to be affected by low thyroid production that men, so it comes as no surprise, the peak times for thyroid malfunction occur in our lives, is during puberty, our childbearing years, and in menopause.

Maybe you have some of the above symptoms, and should have your thyroid tested, or maybe you’ve had it tested and were told it was “normal”. First things first. Be the keeper of all your lab results. In this day and age of drive through, pre-set protocol medicine, you are your own best advocate. It is very important for you to understand exactly what you have been tested for, what the result mean, and then note any developing trends. You did not go to bed with a perfectly functioning thyroid one night, and wake up with a malfunctioning one the next morning.

The basic test for measuring thyroid hormone is a TSH. This stands for thyroid stimulating hormone. Aside from the fact that “normal” values here vary wildly from physician to physician, and lab to lab, this test may only tell part, or none of your thyroid story. Your thyroid produces two hormones, T4, and T3. These numbers give you a broader view, but are not all inclusive. Some physicians even test T4, but in order for us to have optimal thyroid function, our T4, must convert to T3. That’s where the magic happens. Without this conversion, we have diminished ability to produce the much needed energy required for all our cellular/organ function. Even beyond this- these tests can reveal normal levels, and you may still have a sluggish thyroid. I’ve found testing your “Free” hormones levels to be a much better indicator. Free T4, and Free T3 levels measure the level of these hormones ability to actually do their jobs, rather than the levels just circulating in your bloodstream. The Reverse T3 test is revelatory in determining if this essential process is taking place. The final, very important test is called a TPO antibody test. This test is an indicator for autoimmune thyroid disease. It is very important not only for determining additional steps should you have a thyroid autoimmune disease, but it is equally important if all you other thyroid numbers are normal, as you should continue to be monitored.

In summary, if you are consistently experience any of the following, and especially a combination of the following, having your thyroid checked is something to consider:

Constipation and other digestive disorders, cold hands and feet, lethargy, hair loss, loss of outer eyebrow, dry skin, achy joints, brain fog, irregular or heavy menses, this is not an exhaustive list- but inclusive of the most common symptoms.

Tests to speak with your doctor about:

TSH, T4, T3, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and TPO antibodies.

There are several wonderful books and resources which can offer a more in depth explanation, along with providing optimal ranges within your testing.

This is my personal favorite from a comprehensive standpoint: