8 signs something may be off with your thyroid

The thyroid gland is the small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck responsible for producing thyroid hormones that regulate the body's cellular metabolism. When your thyroid hormone levels are off, it affects virtually every system in the body, causing a whole host of frustrating symptoms. Still, figuring out if you have a thyroid condition can be pretty tricky.

Many signs of a thyroid condition are also common symptoms in other health conditions. And, perhaps most importantly for the Pollie community, women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are three times more likely to have Hashimoto's disease. This autoimmune thyroid disorder is the most common cause of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) in the United States. Yet, this connection between Hashimoto's and PCOS often gets missed because the conditions share a lot of common symptoms. 

Ahead are some surprising signs that something may be off with your thyroid function.  

Thyroid imbalance symptoms to watch out for

1. You are tired all the time.

Fatigue is a common problem across most chronic health conditions. However, people often describe the fatigue associated with hypothyroidism as severe.

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone to support a healthy metabolism. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In this autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks healthy cells in the thyroid. People with Hashimoto's often experience debilitating fatigue that can make it difficult to get out of bed if left untreated. Sleeping more than usual, taking frequent naps, and feeling unrested even after plenty of sleep at night can all be signs that you may need to have your thyroid function checked.

2. You have irregular menstrual cycles.

Research shows that hypothyroidism can affect the menstrual cycle. The most common menstrual disturbances are oligomenorrhoea (infrequent menstrual periods) and menorrhagia (heavy or prolonged menstrual periods). Of course, more severe cases of hypothyroidism cause more severe menstrual irregularities. Treatment with thyroid hormone replacement therapy can help reduce menstrual symptoms.

3. You have struggled with fertility.

The endocrine system is our body's network of glands and organs that produce hormones to manage the body's metabolism, energy, reproduction growth and development, stress response, and mood.

Unsurprisingly, when one piece of this hormonal system is off, it can affect the others. Thyroid hormones play a role in reproduction, and hypothyroidism can affect fertility due to anovulatory cycles, luteal phase defects, hyperprolactinemia, and sex hormone imbalance. Early and proper treatment can help. One study finds that over 75% of women who had difficulty conceiving were able to conceive within a year of starting thyroid hormone therapy. 

4. Your brain is foggy.

Brain fog may be a bit of a buzzword, and we're glad for it. Before we had a term for this debilitating haze that people with chronic illness often experience, people kept quiet about their cognitive challenges and muddled through with little to no support.

Brain fog isn't a medical condition, but most providers will understand what you mean when you say this term. It covers a wide range of cognitive symptoms, including:

• Trouble thinking
• Difficulty concentrating
• Lack of mental clarity
• Feeling sluggish
• Difficult multitasking
• Problems with memory 

Brain fog can appear at various times in life and is associated with many conditions. For example, brain fog is often triggered by our hormones and can affect women in postpartum and perimenopause. It can also follow traumatic life events such as car accidents, losing a loved one, and surgery. And, of course, it often accompanies acute and chronic illnesses. 

Correcting underlying illnesses, such as an underactive thyroid or balancing hormones in women with PCOS, is one of the first ways to beat brain fog. 

5. You are almost always cold.

Cold intolerance is a hallmark sign of hypothyroidism. Because the thyroid plays an integral role in regulating metabolism, it is intricately tied to maintaining your basal body temperature (BBT). Regulating your BBT is one of the most costly forms of energy expenditure we perform. When thyroid hormone lacks, we don't have enough energy to keep our temperature at optimal levels. 

Also, an underactive thyroid can restrict blood flow to peripheral tissues like the hands and feet. Thus, it is harder to stay warm and can make you feel chilled—even in a hot environment. 

6. You struggle with your weight.

Many people who live with PCOS and hypothyroidism share that they have difficulty with weight loss. Because the thyroid controls your metabolism, it regulates the rate we burn calories. When thyroid hormone levels are too low, we do not burn calories as fast as we store them. Thus, it is common to store energy as fat. It can also be challenging to exercise when experiencing other symptoms of hypothyroidism like chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, or joint pain.

Perhaps even more surprising is that hypothyroidism can cause you to retain water. Intriguingly, people who start thyroid medication often shed between 5-10 pounds of water weight. Weight gain in hypothyroidism is common, but if you experience massive weight gain, there may be other factors at play that you should talk about with your provider.

7. Your skin is dry, and your hair is thin.

Our hair and skin can offer some pretty significant insights into what is happening inside the body.

Dry, flaky skin is common in most people in dry climates or those exposed to harsh water and chemicals. Yet, when there is no obvious explanation, and you are diligent with exfoliating, moisturizing, and hydrating, there may be something more behind your dry skin. Skin cell turnover can take longer when we do not produce enough thyroid hormone. The skin may also not get enough blood flow. These problems not only lead to dry skin but can also lead to other thyroid-related skin problems, including:

• Pale, cool skin
• Slow-healing wounds
• Facial flushing
• A doughy, swollen face
• Yellow-tinged palms and soles
• Deep lines on hands and feet
• Scaly skin with deep cracks
  

Likewise, hair loss or thinning hair is also a sign that your thyroid function may be off. Thyroid hormone can interfere with hair re-growth, causing it to be slower. Similarly, because of decreased blood supply to peripheral tissues like the skin, hair follicles may not receive enough nutrients and oxygen to support healthy hair growth.

8. You are constipated.

Insufficient thyroid hormone slows not only the metabolism but also your digestive tract.

When thyroid hormone is lacking, digested food moves slower throughout the gut, meaning that the body has more time to reabsorb water from your stool. Therefore, it becomes harder to eliminate.  

Treating constipation requires several interventions. If you have untreated hypothyroidism, increasing your fiber intake, drinking more water, and getting more exercise will likely not be enough to make eliminating a smoother process. You will probably also need to explore thyroid medication to optimize your thyroid function. 

What to do if you think you have a thyroid problem

If you're worried about your symptoms, consider taking an at-home thyroid blood test to understand how your thyroid functions.

Many labs only look at thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Still, it's critical to also measure free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), and TPO antibodies. These four markers help you understand the big picture of what's happening with your thyroid function and where specifically to make improvements.  

You can take $30 off your first purchase of an at-home thyroid test kit with coupon code POLLIE30 (case sensitive) on Paloma Health's website.

Should your results show that your thyroid is underactive, optimizing your thyroid levels with thyroid hormone replacement medication is usually the first step in minimizing symptoms. When choosing thyroid medication with your health care provider, remember that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment.  

Beyond taking thyroid hormones, you can support your thyroid health and quality of life with nutrition and lifestyle modifications. As a good place to start, consider, Am I eating well? Getting enough sleep? Doing something to relieve stress? Connecting with loved ones in a meaningful way?

You don't have to live with these frustrating symptoms. Suppose you have PCOS as well as hypothyroidism. In that case, it's essential to assemble a care team to help you manage both simultaneously. Work with a trustworthy thyroid doctor in conjunction with a PCOS specialist to assess your symptoms, history, and lab results to determine the best treatment plan for you.

About Paloma Health

Paloma Health is the first online medical practice focused exclusively on testing and treating hypothyroidism The company offers access to at-home thyroid tests, virtual consultations with thyroid doctors and nutritionists, and prescription and supplement management for an integrated health experience.