Do You Have an Under-active Thyroid?

Dr. Anita Petruzzelli ♦ December 7, 2011 ♦ 1 Comment

Do you have an under-active thyroid?

Hot flashes, night sweats, menstrual irregularities, fatigue, depression, constipation, brittle nails, thinning hair, joint pain, constipation, and weight gain may all be signs of an under-active thyroid.
Because these symptoms can also mimic menopause and other conditions, it is important to check thyroid labs such as TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies to determine if your thyroid is to blame.

About .2 – 3% of the population have an under-active thyroid and many may also have subclinical hypothyroidism (abnormal labs, but few if any symptoms).

Besides feeling badly, untreated thyroid disorder can increase your risk of heart disease by increasing total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), and inflammatory markers in your body. If you are a woman trying to conceive, an under-active thyroid can affect the neurological development of your child.

Thyroid problems are treated with thyroid hormone replacement and repleting the nutrients your body needs to produce thyroid hormones such as B vitamins, iodine, zinc, and selenium. Testing for heavy metal toxicity may also be suggested.

Studies show that in addition to replacing the traditional T4 (like Synthroid or Levothyroxine), replacing T3 can be associated with increased weight loss, and a decrease in total and LDL cholesterol. The body has T3 receptors in the brain and heart and many patients feel better when both hormones are replaced.

Talk to your physician or BodyLogic doctor if you suffer from any of these symptoms or want to optimize your thyroid health.