Is It Your Thyroid?
Have you been wondering or googling whether how you are feeling may be symptoms of hypothyroidism? Your thyroid, is a small butterfly-shaped hormone gland that sits in the front of your neck and plays a huge role in regulating your body’s metabolism, energy, and overall health. When your thyroid is not working properly, it can cause a wide variety of symptoms that might leave you wondering, “Is it my thyroid?” or “Are these hypothyroidism symptoms?” Hypothyroidism is actually one of the things that lead me to functional medicine as I was diagnosed with it during my first pregnancy and let’s just say, conventional medicine is really lacking when it comes to how it is viewed and treated! Today’s blog will break down what happens when your thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism), the hyperthyroid or hypothyroidism symptoms to watch for, and other conditions that can mimic hypothyroidism.
What Is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism or “low thyroid” occurs when your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones (like T4 and T3), slowing down your body’s processes, from energy to bowels to reproduction. Common causes include autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, iodine deficiency, nutrient deficiencies, stress or certain medications.
Hypothyroidism symptoms:
- Fatigue: Feeling exhausted despite adequate rest.
- Weight gain: Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight.
- Cold sensitivity: Feeling chilly when others are comfortable.
- Dry skin and hair: Brittle nails, thinning hair, or flaky skin.
- Mood changes: Depression, irritability, or brain fog.
- Constipation: Sluggish digestion.
- Muscle aches: Joint pain or weakness.
- Slow heart rate: Feeling sluggish or lethargic.
- Menstrual irregularities: Heavier or irregular periods in women.
If you’re nodding along to these symptoms, it’s worth checking in with a provider for a simple blood test (always request a full thyroid panel!) to assess thyroid function.
What Is Hyperthyroidism?
On the flip side of the coin, hyperthyroidism happens when your thyroid produces too much hormone, revving your body into overdrive. Causes include Graves’ disease (autoimmune condition), thyroid nodules, or inflammation.
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism (for contrast):
- Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
- Weight loss despite increased appetite
- Anxiety, nervousness, or irritability
- Sweating or heat sensitivity
- Tremors or shaky hands
- Trouble sleeping
While hyperthyroidism has distinct symptoms, it’s less likely to be confused with other conditions compared to hypothyroidism but again a full thyroid panel can help to rule this diagnosis in or out.
Conditions That Mimic Hypothyroidism
Feeling tired, foggy, or off doesn’t always mean your thyroid is to blame and I get this a lot from patients, they say – “I think it’s my thyroid.” And maybe it is but we always want to look at what else could be causing your symptoms or constellation of symptoms. Several conditions share similar symptoms, so it’s crucial to investigate these possibilities with your healthcare provider to avoid misdiagnosis:
- Anemia: Low iron or B12 levels can cause fatigue, weakness, and cold intolerance, mimicking hypothyroidism. A complete blood count (CBC), b12 level and full iron panel with ferritin can help diagnose this. Spoiler alert! These can also contribute to hypothyroidism, so it’s tricky!
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Persistent exhaustion, brain fog, and muscle aches can overlap with thyroid issues. CFS lacks a single diagnostic test, so it requires careful evaluation.
- Depression or Anxiety: Mood disorders can cause fatigue, poor concentration, and low energy, resembling hypothyroidism. A mental health assessment may clarify the root cause. Hypo or hyperthyroidism can also cause depression or anxiety so before you start a medication, always make sure basic physiologic things have been ruled out!
- Sleep Apnea: Poor sleep from untreated sleep apnea can cause daytime fatigue, brain fog, and weight gain. A sleep study can confirm this.
- Vitamin D Deficiency: Low vitamin D can lead to muscle pain, fatigue, and mood changes. A simple blood test can check your levels. Many people, even here in sunny Colorado have very low vitamin D levels!
- Fibromyalgia: Widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues can mimic hypothyroidism. It’s diagnosed based on symptom patterns and ruling out other causes.
What Should You Do?
If you suspect your thyroid is off, start with a visit to your PCP. Request a full thyroid panel (TSH, Free T4, Free T3, and thyroid antibodies) to get a clear picture. Mention any symptoms, even if they seem unrelated, and ask about testing for other conditions like anemia or vitamin deficiencies. Lifestyle factors—stress, poor diet, or lack of sleep—can also amplify or make hypothyroidism symptoms worse, so keep those in mind too!
Your thyroid might be the culprit, but it’s not always the whole story. With Functional Medicine, we explore all possibilities, so you can get to the root of your symptoms and start feeling like yourself again. Functional Medicine also takes a deep look at all of the contributing factors to thyroid disease including toxin exposure, nutrition and nutrient deficiencies, gut health, sleep, stress and much more! It is truly comprehensive thyroid care which gets us the best results in terms of labs AND symptom control!
If you are looking for a practitioner to work with, Well North Functional Medicine specializes in a holistic thyroid care! Book a FREE call today!