So many people come in and say they suffer with:
- weight gain
- sugar cravings
- mid afternoon energy drops
- persistent fatigue
- brain-fog.
And so many of them say the tests their GP ran say their thyroid is ‘normal’. But there is a niggling thought in them that simply doesn’t buy it, and they all have one thing in common.
They ALL felt that there could be something wrong with their thyroid.
Could this be you too?
Be sure to check your symptoms below.
Your thyroid hormones play a BIG role in regulating many of your body’s biological processes, such as growth, development, and metabolism.
Thyroid issues interfere with your metabolism, causing unexplained weight gain, stubborn weight loss, and gaining weight when diet and lifestyle hasn’t changed.
It seems like no amount of exercise will shift it. And if your thyroid is sub-optimal, it probably won’t.
How a sub-optimal thyroid causes so much fuss
We can look at this simply, or we can look at this realistically.
In reality, the body is very complex, with various factors influencing genetic expression, health, mood, stress, and how we interface with the world.
If we look at the thyroid simply, we would say it’s a numbers game. If you have a lower amount of thyroid hormones in your body, then your metabolism will slow down. Like taking the foot off the accelerator of the car.
That would mean that by increasing the body’s means of making thyroid hormones, we could also boost our metabolism.
That is true, but very simplistic, and the truth is, not many of us respond that easily and quickly. Proof of this fact is highlighted by the hundreds of women we see regularly already on thyroid medication scripted by their doctor, but still feeling the symptoms of low thyroid hormones.
A more complex picture
Realistically, there are several factors that determine how well the thyroid system works.
All the other hormones in the body have a say in your metabolism, such as blood sugar levels, sex hormones, cortisol, leptin and insulin. Symptoms can cross over and make it a bit hazy to discern which hormones are affecting which, which is why a thorough hormone screening is recommended.
Other factors that will also impact the clinical picture are detoxification capacity, anti-oxidant levels, liver health, food intolerances, inflammation levels, blood pressure level, triglyceride levels, and menstrual or menopausal cycle.
This is all intricately and irrevocably tied into diet, lifestyle and exercise.
This is why working with a functional health practitioner can give you answers and solutions to any hormonally driven weight issues.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Weight gain all over the body or
- Fat accumulation around the middle – classic apple shape
- Fatigue
- Low motivation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hair Loss or shedding
- Brittle nails
- Sleep issues
- Low libido
- Constipation
- Upset digestive function
- Heart rate variances
- Muscle soreness
- Joint pain
- Brain fog or forgetfulness
Do you feel like you need help to make sense of YOUR hormones? Book a call now!
Thyroid Hormones
Thyroid hormones have a long and perilous journey to undergo before they enter your tissues and boost your metabolism.
It starts in the gland in your throat – this is the only place thyroid hormones are made. You need to make sure that the gland is producing optimal levels of thyroid hormones, and if not – learn why.
It may be due to a structural issue such as nodules, cysts, a small gland, or a surgically altered gland.
It may be due to a nutrient deficiency – with the key thyroid nutrients being Iodine, Tyrosine, zinc, selenium and magnesium. Replenishing a deficiency sometimes needs very high doses of nutrients for a period of time, and this amount of time can be affected by toxins, gut absorption issues, stress, and other medications.
Or it could be due to an autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s and Graves disease.
Functional pathology aims to discern which is applicable.
Once the hormone is liberated from the gland, it travels around the blood stream, and T4 converts to its active form T3.
Conversion can be interrupted by adrenal hormones, inflammation, poor liver function, gut health issues, and nutrient deficiencies.
Finally the active T3 is ready to enter your tissues to activate metabolism and cellular function. Even this close to the finish line it can be sabotaged by inflammation, nutrient deficiency, and an overburdened toxic system.
With so many steps in the journey, it is clear why thorough testing is the best first step to understanding the WHY behind your symptoms, allowing a treatment plan to be much more individually and scientifically crafted.
Test – don’t Guess
Weight Gain is the first sign of a slow thyroid, but it is not the scariest statistic of leaving it untreated.
A sub-optimal thyroid is implicated in the onset of as many as 59 other diseases, including dementia.
Your best ally in your future health is starting to be proactive today.
Book a free 15-minute consultation to discuss food intolerance testing and starting a corrective program.