Do You Have an Underactive Thyroid?
By Sara Butler
Your thyroid may be small, but it’s mighty! This butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck secretes hormones that are vital to major functions in your body. If it’s not working as it should, then that can lead to a host of health problems. When your thyroid is underactive, that’s a condition called hypothyroidism. Here are a few things that can clue you in to an underactive thyroid.
You’re Tired (All the Time)
Do you struggle to stay awake even after you’ve had a good night’s sleep? Constant fatigue, tiredness, lack of energy, and fatigue can be indications that your thyroid isn’t performing. Your thyroid supplies cells in your body with a hormone that signals them to get up and go. If they’re not receiving the signal, then you’re going to feel sluggish. You can improve energy levels and counter fatigue with exercise -- even if that’s the last thing you feel like doing!
Weight Gain
If you’re eating all the right things and still packing on pounds, then it might be because of your thyroid. A slow thyroid leads to a slow metabolism and changes the way your body expends energy. This leads to weight gain and fluid retention, even if you’re diligently working out and eating right.
You’re Forgetful
A slow thyroid can impact your cognitive functioning, making it difficult to retain information. Decreased levels of thyroid hormones impact neurological function, making it easy to forget things. If you’ve noticed this change in conjunction with other thyroid-related symptoms, then you should get your thyroid tested and not simply blame it on aging or stress.
Dry Skin
Dry and itchy skin can indicate hypothyroidism for some people. That’s because there’s reduced circulation to the skin when thyroid hormones aren’t at the levels they should be. This reduction can cause skin texture and appearance to alter as well as reduce sweating, which causes the skin to become flaky and dry.
There are a variety of conditions that can cause dry, flaking skin, but if you also have brittle nails, hair loss, and poor wound healing, then it might just be your thyroid that’s the problem and not your moisturizer.
Your thyroid function is important to your overall health and wellness. If you suspect you have issues with your thyroid, then you need to have it checked out by a doctor to make sure all is well!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Riverside, Calif.