Thyroid Problems Are often Undiagnosed
What You Don't Know about your Thyroid May seriously Harm You
Sep 27, 2008
Your thyroid, a gland you may never really have given much thought to, may be failing and causing you untold woes. The functioning of this small gland is extremely delicate, and it's crucial to the health and well-being of a person.
There are two types of ailments your gland may experience: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. These two conditions can cause or exacerbate illnesses ranging from diabetes, to depression and elevated cholesterol levels, in addition to thinning hair, lowered libido, infertility, and anemia.
Hypothyroidism
The symptoms of hypothyroidism – or low thyroid function, may sound all too familiar: weight gain, lowered body temperature, lack of energy, fluid retention, chronic constipation, nervous disorders, loss of memory and thinking ability, arthralgia, headaches, hair loss, changes in voice, anemia, loss of libido, infertility, visual disturbances, carpal tunnel syndrome, Raynaud’s phenomenon, hypoglycemia, and flaky, thin nails.
Hyperthyroidism
A person suffering from an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) will display a whole other range of symptoms, such as nervousness, anxiety, weight loss, diarrhea, feeling hot all the time, heart palpitations and irregular pulse. In addition, exophthalmos, or bulging, staring eyes may be apparent.
Testing for Thyroid Malfunction
Dr. Barry Durrant-Peatfield, an alternative health practitioner in the U.K. ,says in Your Thyroid and How to Keep it Healthy, that there have been about 40 different tests for thyroid illness because not one has been found to be reliable, and the ones used can actually “…produce a false picture of the true situation” (76). Dr. Durrant-Peatfield states that one reason the blood tests for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) may be unreliable is that it only tests the level of thyroid hormone in the blood. “What we need to know is the level of throid in the tissues, and, of course, this the blood test cannot tell us” (78).
A better test to check for thyroid function, and one you can do at home free of charge, is called the Basal Temperature Test. Immediately upon awakening, take your temperature. If you use a mercury glass thermometer, take your temperature for approximately three minutes, or place the thermometer in your armpit for ten minutes. If your temperature is two to three degrees below normal on a daily basis for three weeks or so, it is extremely likely that you have a low functioning thyroid.
Thyroid Issues Can Be Far-reaching
The thyroid does not stand or function alone. It's intricately connected to other functions in the body, including the adrenals and the production of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and other hormones. This could well explain why people in a hypothyroid state often experience “female problems” or “male menopause” problems. In fact, a hysterectomy may very well affect thyroid activity. And for males, a low testosterone state is all part of the hypothyroid state. In addition, according to Dr. Durrant-Peatfield, low thyroid output is a major cause of high cholesterol, more than bad eating.
Neglecting a malfunctioning thyroid will only lead to a downward spiral in one’s health, causing untold misery and illness which might otherwise easily be remedied. Do your own basal temperature tests. Insist that your doctor take your complaints and concerns seriously. Don’t wait until you are at death’s door before your “blood work” finally reveals a low functioning thyroid!
