With the holidays right behind us, it’s not uncommon to be weighing in a little higher, and for things to be a little more sluggish.  After all, Thanksgiving through New Year’s is basically one party, gathering, or celebration after another.

But how much weight gain and fatigue is normal?  If your weight gain and lethargy continues, then it might be time to consider that the cause isn’t an overindulgence during the holidays, but rather an underactive thyroid. 

Having hypothyroidism essentially means that you aren’t producing enough thyroid hormones, can result in various physical or mental side effects.  It’s also not uncommon, with an estimate that it effects between 4-10% of the United States population.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism are similar to many other issues, which unfortunately often delays the diagnosis. There are many symptoms that could point to an underactive thyroid, but the more of the symptoms you have, the more likely it is.

(Remember, I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice.  This information is purely educational and is not diagnostic or meant to replace your relationship with your doctor. I want to empower you to do your own research and be your own advocate to your healthcare professional.)

Common Symptoms of an Underactive Thyroid:

• Weight gain
• Inability to lose weight
• Sensitive to cold, cold hands and feet
• Frequent overwhelming fatigue
• Constipation and bowel irregularity
• Inflammation, causing the face to look swollen
• Muscle weakness, aches, and stiffness
• Hoarse voice
• Dry or cracking skin
• High blood pressure
• Thinning hair and eyebrows
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Joint pain
• Brain fog and cognitive dysfunction
• Depression

What causes an Underactive Thyroid?

The cause of thyroid dysfunction could be many things, including genetic abnormalities, an autoimmune disease, the result of an unhealthy diet, stress, or even some medications.  In addition, having a pituitary gland disorder, congenital disease, iodine, deficiency, or pregnancy could lead to an underactive thyroid as well, though these causes aren’t as common.

You also find yourself at a higher risk for hypothyroidism if you are over 60, have an autoimmune disease, or have a family history of thyroid disease.

Medical Conditions Caused by Hypothyroidism

When you’re faced with a hypothyroidism diagnosis, the underactive thyroid not only causes all of the symptoms you’re struggling with, but can also increase the risk for developing other conditions and disorders. The imbalance of thyroid hormones can make it more likely that you’ll develop other issues, which is why it’s so important to get an accurate diagnosis from your doctor.

An underactive thyroid can lead to cardiovascular issues, compromise fertility, and even cause depression. If you suspect that you’ve got a thyroid problem, you should find a doctor who will run a full thyroid panel (including antibodies) on you so they can get the whole picture.  If your doctor refuses, find a new doctor who will.

Not knowing if you’ve got a dysfunctional thyroid or Hashimoto’s (an autoimmune disease) will only cause the problem to continue to get worse.

Often times, it takes several different doctors over many years to accurately diagnose someone suffering from Hashimotos (and many other chronic illnesses) simply due to the fact that they have so many overlapping symptoms.

One thing that I recommend for anybody going down the journey of trying to treat and heal their chronic illness is this amazing Chronic Illness Healing Binder.

It is a completely organized way to keep your journey on track.  It comes with over 50 pages, worksheets, charts, and records.  With this binder, you’ll have everything you need for keeping all documents, lab results, doctor instructions, family history, genetic testing, etc. in one place for easy referencing (or toting to a new doctor’s appointment).

Trust me, you never know when you’re going to need to reference any past medical documents, show them to a new doctor, or track back when symptoms began and try to narrow down the trigger.  This binder is amazing, and such a gift to those trying to untangle the web of their health.

Some Pages Included:

Write down all of your symptoms, potential triggers, and a detailed timeline of how and when things began, and see a functional medicine doctor (or your regular doctor if they will run all the labs for you) to get things started.

What if I suspect that I have an underactive thyroid?

I seriously can’t recommend this binder enough for anybody who is headed down the path of chronic illness, determined to find what is wrong with them and how to fix it.  

It can be so overwhelming to have to face something like this, I know first hand.  I got my Hashimoto’s diagnosis when I was 28 years old.. but it was in remission by the time I was 31, which is why I now coach others.

But here’s the thing… you are strong enough to go down this path, because you’ve already started researching on your own and taken the initiative to be your own advocate. 

Don’t give up on yourself, you deserve to get your health back!

(Remember, I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice.  This information is purely educational and is not diagnostic or meant to replace your relationship with your doctor. I want to empower you to do your own research and be your own advocate to your healthcare professional.)

I was given a copy of the Chronic Illness Healing Binder in exchange for a review.  All opinions are mine.