Want to lose 20 pounds, reset your thyroid!
Hypothyroidism is observed in men as well as women very commonly in today’s day and age.
It does have some 20% genetic element, however, it is 80% lifestyle-related, which is the reason it is springing up in young girls and boys as early as 20 to 30 years!
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism are vast:
Hypothyroidism is observed in men as well as women very commonly in today’s day and age.
It does have some 20% genetic element, however, it is 80% lifestyle-related, which is the reason it is springing up in young girls and boys as early as 20 to 30 years!
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism are vast:
Top Sixteen Symptoms of Hypothyroid
- Fatigue
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Unexplained weight gain
- Puffy face
- Hoarseness
- Muscle weakness
- Elevated blood cholesterol level
- Muscle aches and pain
- Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
- Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
- Thinning hair
- Slower heart rate
- Depressed mood
- Impaired memory
Key is to test appropriately and diagnose it.
Most people are advised to test their TSH levels and do total T3 T4, which lack sensitivity in diagnosing this condition.
However, in my opinion, it’s very crucial to test antibodies which are often raised without any change in the thyroid hormones!
The newer guidelines of the American College of Endocrinology consider anybody with a TSH level of over 3.0 as hypothyroid. Most doctors think that TSH over 5 is only worth looking at.
Unfortunately, this leaves many people suffering unnecessarily.
To get complete picture following tests are recommended :
1) Free T3, T4, TSH ( Optimum TSH below 3, Free T3 3, Free T4 1)
2) Antithyroid antibodies and Thyroid peroxidase antibody should be tested and normal.
3) 24-hour Urine for free T3
4) Reverse T3
Mostly thyroid disorder is also associated with autoimmunity and therefore like in all autoimmune disorders its important to look for underlying disorders, which could be as follows:
a) Chronic gut infections such as Candida, Lyme, Parasites, Viral infections etc
b) Food Intolerances: Gluten, Lactose, and other specific sensitivities or intolerances
c) Nutrient deficiencies such as Iodine, Zinc, Selenium, Iron, Vitamin D, Omega 3 etc.
d) Heavy metal accumulation especially mercury can disrupt thyroid function
e) Pesticides, chemicals, and colors in food damage the thyroid
f) Chronic stress like it is implicated in all chronic diseases it causes thyroid imbalance too
g) Lack of exercise: stagnancy leads to accumulation of toxins due to stasis of lymphatic system.
Dr. Kalpana Shekhawat MD
Functional Medicine Specialist
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