Nutritional Consulting

Could You Have Low Thyroid Function?

Since being diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in 1990, I have devoted a great deal of time to learning about low thyroid function. I continue to observe the progress of my clients, and collect research data that will eventually be included in my book: "Understanding Low Thyroid Function."

Symptoms Include:

- Low body temperature
- Unable to lose weight
- Skin is dry, coarse, scaly and thick
- Hair is dry, coarse, breaking or falling out
- Hoarse or gravely voice
- Low blood pressure
- Constipation, sometimes severe
- Chronic fatigue, exhaustion
- Irregular menstrual cycles (longer, heavier or more frequent)
- Puffiness and swelling around eyes and face
- Muscle and joint pain
- Trouble conceiving a baby
- More frequent colds and infections
- Diminished sex drive
- Strange feelings in neck or throat
- Feelings of butterflies in chest
- Poor short term memory
- Family history of thryoid disease
- Hot flashes or night sweats
- Yawn more (to take in more oxygen)

25% of the Canadian population have low thyroid function. The most common cause of hypothyroidism in Canada is named after Dr. Hashimoto who first described it in 1912. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid tissue. This type of thyroid disease tends to run in families and is 5 to 10 times more common in women than men.

A blood test can determine advanced stages of low thyroid function, however, a basal temperature test and symptoms assessment maybe a more reliable way to identify the early stages of thyroid disease.

Caught early enough, low thyroid function often responds well to nutritional supplements, and dietary and lifestyle management.