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Feeling Fat, Fatigued, and Depressed; Think Low Thyroid

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Many experts now agree that millions of  Americans are falling through the cracks when it comes to the diagnosis and management of low-thyroid conditions (hypothyroidism). Unfortunately, the lack of proper attention to this issue often results in the patient living a life of fatigue, low mood, struggles with obesity, and many other problems.

Although the thyroid gland is small, it has powerful effects on the body.  Thyroid hormone regulates the metabolic rate of every single cell. If thyroid function is underactive (hypothyroid) a person can have a multitude of symptoms, sometimes subtle and sometimes profound. These symptoms may include, but are not limited to: fatigue, weight gain, cold extremities, low libido, dry skin, aches and pains, fibromyalgia, constipation, hair loss, brittle nails, poor memory, low stamina, headaches, puffy face, and low body temperature.  Perhaps the most common and important of the symptom being varying degrees of fatigue.

Diagnosis of low thyroid conditions, like most medical conditions, starts with listening to and examining the patient. Symptoms, as mentioned above, family history, and physical signs often point to the diagnosis of hypothyroidism.  If thyroid disease is suspected, a thorough lab evaluation should also be performed to assist in the diagnosis. However, the goal is to treat the whole patient, and not just to treat the labs.

If hypothyroid disease is confirmed, then proper treatment may include thyroid medications. There are several medications on the market, which may be quite helpful in relieving low thyroid symptoms. These include Synthroid, Armour thyroid, Cytomel, compounded thyroid, and others. One patient may respond well to a particular medicine, while another patient may find that a different medication works best to alleviate his or her thyroid related symptoms. Although Synthroid is often the drug of choice for many physicians, I have found Armour thyroid to be particularly effective in many of my low-thyroid patients. For others, Cytomel may be the key to alleviating their symptoms.

In summary, thyroid dysfunction is a condition that may have a profoundly negative impact on many patients. Yet according to various experts, millions of Americans suffer from inadequate diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism. Proper evaluation and treatment of these patients may help tremendously in improving their symptoms, and their quality of life.

Low Thyroid

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Low thyroid (hypothyroid) is a common and potentially devastating problem in America. It affects approximately 10 million women in America, and according to the Thyroid Foundation of America, more than half of the patients with low thyroid in are undiagnosed. Of those who are diagnosed, many are not receiving optimal treatment.

Thyroid hormone affects every single cell in the body, and it is the master controller for overall metabolism. The most common symptoms of low thyroid that I see in my office are fatigue (low energy) and the inability to lose weight. Other common symptoms include constipation, fibromyalgia, depression, brain fog, anxiety, dry skin, hair loss, low body temperature, low stamina, cold intolerance, cold hands and feet, low libido, generalized aches and pains, swelling, edema, puffiness, and brittle nails. Actual diseases that may be associated with low thyroid include hardening of the arteries, generalized inflammation, cardiovascular disease, abnormal lipid (cholesterol) levels, abnormal menstrual periods, infertility, poor pregnancy outcomes, low mood, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and obesity.

The standard screening test most doctors use is called a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone test (TSH). TSH may certainly be helpful in diagnosing a low thyroid condition. However, if a patient presents with symptoms consistent with low thyroid, such as fatigue, I feel that a more thorough evaluation is often warranted. Often upon further evaluation, and especially with clinical correlation, the patient may be found to be hypothyroid even with a normal TSH. I frequently find that in such cases when the thyroid function is optimized, the patient’s symptoms improve dramatically.

The most common treatment for low thyroid is Synthroid. However, I have found that many patients respond better to a more natural and well rounded thyroid preparation such as Armour thyroid.

If you’re feeling fatigued, gaining weight, or having other low thyroid symptoms, call McMinn Clinic at 205-868-1313 for a thorough thyroid work evaluation.