You may have always prided yourself in being a great multitasker. Able to mange anything that gets in your way and juggle your busy daily schedule better than most circus jugglers. But now you find yourself wanting to sleep most of the day, moody,depressed, forgetful, gaining weight and maybe bloated. Is it a case of overdoing it or is it something else?
The Colorado Thyroid Disease study found that as many as 10% of the population(27 million people)may have a thyroid disorder and over half of them go undiagnosed and are mainly women. Some experts say a women over 35 has a 30% chance of developing hypothyroidism.
The thyroid is a butterfly- shaped gland found in the base of your neck. Sometimes it is described as the body's thermostat and controls energy flow. Hypothyroidism , low thyroid, means your thyroid is not producing enough hormones to work properly. A shortage of thyroid hormone can make you feel as though you are walking through quick sand.
Some of the more common signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism is exhaustion, depression or anxiety,moodiness, constipated, uninterested in sex, constipation, forgetfulness, cold even when others are not, and possible nausea and queasy. You may also have insomnia, unexplained weight gain, thinning hair or hair loss, dry hair and skin, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heavy periods and maybe even trouble getting pregnant. There is also a strong link that runs in family history especially the females, so now your family history.
If you do feel that you fit this mold consult with your physician for possible blood work. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists have recommended to change the normal range because some women appear to be testing normal but for them their thyroid levels can be too low. If you get tested and your physican states everything is fine, but you still feel awful, request for other more specifc bloods tests to done to test the thyroid. Remember you are your best advocate and know your body better than anyone else so always make sure you are informed and understand your treatment plans.
Patricia McGowan is a graduate of Villanova University and holds a degree in Nursing and is certified in Health Ergonomics. She is a motivational and public speaker and co-author of the Invest in Yourself Series. She is also a partner in IIY,LLC and the website is http://www.investnyourself.com. | |
