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| It's important to understand what your test results mean. |
I am completely rubbish at taking medication and made the mistake of reading the side effects leaflet which came in the pill packet.
I am now awaiting weight gain, baldness, palpitations and depression and, having taken precisely 3 tablets so far am convinced I now have dry eye syndrome since my eyes are sore and gritty.
The Husband is already out of patience!
The problem is, if you visit the many thyroid forums, that testing in the UK only takes into account one of 4 antibodies, T4 and medicates for that whereas our American cousins say that an holistic approach is needed to supplement all four.
To add to the confusion, many of the symptoms of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) are the same as those suffered by many women during the menopause.
So what is the thyroid gland and what does it do?
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the base of your neck. It is about 2-inches long and lies in front of your throat below the prominence of thyroid cartilage sometimes called the Adam's apple.
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| The Thyroid System |
This gland produces hormones which regulate the body's metabolic rate as well as heart and digestive function, muscle control, brain development and bone maintenance. Its correct functioning depends on having a good supply of iodine from the diet.
The thyroid function is normally regulated by a hormone produced in the pituitary gland (thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH for short), which ensures that neither too much nor too little thyroid hormone is produced.
If too little thyroid hormone is produced, the body functions slow down and the thyroid is said to be underactive - hypothyroidism.
If, conversely too much thyroid hormone is produced, the sufferer is said to have an overactive thyroid - hyperthyroidism.
Some of the symptoms of an underactive thyroid include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, impaired fertility, and depression.
Some sufferers have also reported dizziness, inability to pay attention and memory loss, hair loss and tinnitus.
In truth there are loads of symptoms and it can be very difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of these.
Underactive Thyroid is more common in older people and in women than men, with estimates that 10 times more women than men are affected.
The conventional treatment for an underactive thyroid is with the hormone levothyroxine (LT4 or Synthroid), which I have been prescribed.
If an underactive thyroid is left untreated for a prolonged period of time, more serious symptoms will develop as the condition advances, such as cardiovascular disease and raised cholesterol.
An underactive thyroid is a lifelong condition, so you will probably need to take levothyroxine for the rest of your life.
It's important for the health of you and your baby that an underactive thyroid is treated properly before you become pregnant.
An annual blood test to screen for an underactive thyroid is recommended for individuals with this condition.
Current research tells us that the best diet for an underactive thyroid is one that contains whole foods, is high in protein, and naturally rich in iodine and selenium.
Seaweeds like kelp are an excellent natural source of iodine, whilst Selenium can be found in Brazil nuts, cod and mustard seeds – 3 to 5 Brazil nuts each day provides plenty of selenium for proper thyroid function.
I am at the beginning of my thyroid education and am hoping that this small dose of Levothyroxine will be enough to return my hormone levels to normal.
Have you been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid? I would love to hear your experiences and the lifestyle changes you have made to cope with this condition.
