Thyroid hormone is one of the most misunderstood hormones. It’s so misunderstood that as many as 60% of people who have a thyroid issue don’t even know it.
Your thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ at the base of your neck. It releases thyroid hormone, which regulates your metabolism, energy levels, brain function, and more.
If your thyroid is not working at optimal function, here are some possible signs:
- Exhaustion
- Forgetfulness
- Mood Problems
- Feeling Cold
- Weight Gain
- Constipation
- Irregular periods
- Thinning Hair
- Dry Skin
- Brittle Nails
Some people who experience these symptoms end up being diagnosed with hypothyroid. Others struggle with these issues and are told their thyroid labs look normal. That can happen because the normal lab ranges are not necessarily optimal or because not all forms of thyroid hormone have been looked at in the test.
It’s possible to have suboptimal thyroid function even if your routine thyroid labs look “normal.”
Women are up to 8 times as likely to develop a thyroid condition as men. If left ignored, it could cause problems during pregnancy or increase your risk of things like heart disease as you age.
Could you be one of the millions of people with unrecognized suboptimal thyroid function?
This is part one of a 4-part series where I’ll be helping you better understand suboptimal thyroid function, nutrients for thyroid health, and how stress interacts with the thyroid.
Watch for my next post—all about the root causes!
Ready to optimize your thyroid health? Schedule a Functional Medicine Session with Dr. Ryan here.
