The One Reason You May Not be Able to Get Out of Bed

 

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Thinning hair, dry skin, sluggish and experiencing some weight gain and blaming it on this past winter? Can barely get out of bed? Dragging ass?

Don’t be fooled, you think it may just be from a winter of hibernation but it could be your thyroid.

Your thyroid is a gland that sits on the front of your neck and is the shape of a butterfly. It produces 2 hormones, T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). T4 must convert to T3 which is the active form and the one your body needs to function.

In those who suffer from a long-term chronic illness, low T3  can be readily seen and supplementation with Cytomel may help to alleviate the fatigue.

Here are some typical symptoms of hypothyroidism:

  • Dry Skin
  • Brittle Nails
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Thinning hair
  • Inability to tolerate cold
  • Cold hands/cold feet
  • Constipation
  • Weight gain
  • Infertility
  • Irregular menstrual periods

Maybe you were just at your provider’s office and had blood work done and told your thyroid was normal after checking a TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone blood test. But this is not quite enough.

Next time get these tests along with a TSH: Free and total T3 and T4, reverse T3,  and thyroid antibodies such as anti-thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase. Only checking a TSH is not seeing the full picture.

Every lab has slightly different reference ranges but TSH must be between 1.0-1.5 uIU/ml. I prefer using non synthetic thyroid replacements such as a compounded thyroid medication, Armour which contains T3 and T4 or Cytomel which contains T3 only.. Be aware that these can also contain ingredients such as corn if you happen to be allergic.

You are also more likely to develop an underactive thyroid if you have a history of an autoimmune disorder.

List of things you can do to help boost your thyroid function:

  • Decrease your stress level– you can meditate, try a restorative yoga class, or walk in nature
  • Take your supplements– selenium can help convert T4 to T3, typically 200mg per day is sufficient. Vitamin D 2000-5000 IU per day and iodine, which can also be found in sea vegetables, so add them to your soup or eat seaweed salad.
  • Gluten free– Yes, another reason to go gluten free.
  • Limit or eliminate toxins– dental amalgams, PCB’s, and pesticides. So choose organic foods. Removing amalgams should be done with a dentist who is holistic and knowledgable with all precautions taken during removal.
  • Detoxing– this can be a 3 day juice cleanse, using an infrared sauna, sweating (think steam room), or a detox shake such as Paleo Cleanse.

If you think you have a thyroid condition, get this blood work done. If you’d like me to review your lab work, I’d be happy to work with you.

Until next time,