Underactive Thyroid?
Download PDFIf your mind and body feel sluggish most of the time, you may have an underactive thyroid. Test your thyroid function yourself with these helpful tips.
The thyroid gland, in the base of the throat, makes the hormone thyroxine which tells all brain and body cells to keep active. Often as a long-term consequence of stress and suboptimum nutrition, the thyroid gland can start to underproduce thyroxine leading to unfavourable symptoms.
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid include:
- Physical or mental fatigue
- Depression or irritability
- Dry skin and/or hair
- Intolerance to cold or cold hands and feet
- Constipation, gas, bloating, or indigestion
- Gain weight easily
- Painful periods (for women)
- Muscle pain
- Poor memory
- Sore throat, or nasal congestion
If you have five or more of these symptoms an underactive thyroid may be your issue.
Test it your thyroid function with the Broda Barnes Temperature Test.
- Shake out your thermometer and keep it by your bed
- When you wake in the morning, and before getting up, take your temperature for 10 minutes
- Your temperature should be 97.7 to 98.6 degrees F
- Repeat these steps for at least 3 days (women should start this on day two or three of their period as body temperature fluctuates during the cycle)
- If any of your temperature readings is below 97.7 degrees F, repeat these steps for a week to see if it is low on a fairly regular basis
If you suspect you may have an underactive thyroid (hypothyrodism) you should speak to your health professional.
Natural ways to stimulate the thyroid
- Exercise at least three days a week for 30 minutes per workout to obtain optimal thyroid function
- Eat more thyroid boosting foods such as: kelp, dairy products, eggs, bananas, lima beans, avocados, pumpkin seeds, and saltwater fish
- Supplement: Try 1,000 mg of tyrosine upon waking and at mid-day, taken on an empty stomach, along with a multimineral supplement containing 150 mg iodine, 11 mg zinc, and 55 mcg selenium. Invest a quality multivitamin containing vitamins B, E, C, and A (beta-carotene) and take each day with food
- Try an elimination diet, or get an IgG test done to see if you have any food sensitivities. Gluten sensitivity in particular can have an impact on thyroid health
