When it comes to health mysteries, your thyroid gland often plays a starring role. It’s a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, but its impact on your overall health is massive. If you’ve been struggling with unexplained fatigue, brain fog, or weight gain that doesn’t budge no matter what you do, it might be time to consider that your thyroid could be the culprit. Let’s break down some of the most telling signs and symptoms of thyroid dysfunction, why these issues occur, and what you can do to take control of your thyroid health.
Common Symptoms of Thyroid Dysfunction
When your thyroid isn’t functioning optimally, your body lets you know in various ways. Here are some of the most common symptoms people experience:
1. Fatigue
This isn’t your average, “I didn’t sleep well” tired. Thyroid-related fatigue feels more like a constant, heavy exhaustion that no amount of rest seems to fix.
2. Brain Fog
Struggling to remember where you put your keys? Feeling mentally sluggish and unable to focus? Brain fog is a hallmark symptom of thyroid dysfunction, often making everyday tasks feel harder than they should.
3. Unexplained Weight Gain
One of the most frustrating symptoms is weight gain that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise. With thyroid dysfunction, you may develop what’s called a “barrel shape,” where weight accumulates uniformly from your chin to your pubic bone.
4. Hair and Eyebrow Changes
Pay attention to your hair and eyebrows. Losing the outer third of your eyebrows or noticing thinning or falling hair could be a clue that your thyroid is struggling.
5. Feeling Cold All the Time
If you’re always bundled up, even when others are comfortable, your thyroid might not be producing enough hormones to regulate your body temperature properly.
6. Constipation
A sluggish thyroid often leads to a sluggish digestive system. If constipation has become a frequent issue for you, it’s worth considering a thyroid evaluation.
The Role of the Thyroid in Your Body
Your thyroid is like the control center for many of your body’s processes. It produces hormones—T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine)—that influence everything from your metabolism to your energy levels, temperature regulation, and even your digestion. When your thyroid isn’t functioning properly, these systems can go haywire, leaving you feeling out of sync with your body.
The Biggest Culprit: Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
The number one cause of hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) is an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. With Hashimoto’s, your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid, leading to inflammation and reduced hormone production over time.
If you suspect thyroid dysfunction, it’s critical to check for thyroid antibodies to rule out or confirm Hashimoto’s. Unfortunately, most standard thyroid tests only measure TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and possibly T4. While these are important markers, they don’t give the full picture, especially if autoimmune issues are at play.
Subclinical Hypothyroidism: The Overlooked Condition
You might go to your doctor, get your TSH tested, and be told, “Everything looks normal.” But here’s the thing: TSH levels can technically fall within the “normal” range, yet still indicate a slow-functioning thyroid.
In functional medicine, we often see patients with TSH levels creeping into the 3s or low 4s. While these numbers might not raise red flags in conventional medicine, they can signal subclinical hypothyroidism—a condition where your thyroid is underperforming but hasn’t yet reached full-blown hypothyroidism.
If left unaddressed, subclinical hypothyroidism can progress to more severe thyroid issues, requiring lifelong medication. However, the good news is that there are natural ways to support your thyroid before it gets to that point.
How to Properly Test Your Thyroid
To get a complete picture of your thyroid health, you need more than just a basic TSH test. Ask your doctor for a full thyroid panel, which should include:
TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)
- Measures how hard your brain is working to tell your thyroid to produce hormones.
Free T3 and Free T4
- These are the active thyroid hormones your body uses.
Reverse T3
- Helps identify if your body is converting active thyroid hormone into an inactive form.
Thyroid Antibodies (TPO and TG Antibodies)
- Essential for detecting autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s.
Natural Ways to Support Your Thyroid
If your thyroid is underperforming, there are steps you can take to boost its function naturally:
1. Optimize Your Diet
- Iodine: Found in seaweed and iodized salt, it’s essential for thyroid hormone production.
- Selenium: This nutrient, found in Brazil nuts and seafood, supports hormone conversion.
- Zinc: Vital for thyroid hormone production, found in foods like oysters and pumpkin seeds.
2. Manage Stress
Chronic stress can negatively impact your thyroid, especially through its connection to your adrenal glands. Incorporate stress-reducing practices like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing into your routine.
3. Address Gut Health
Your gut plays a significant role in how your thyroid hormones are absorbed and converted. Probiotics, fiber-rich foods, and reducing inflammatory triggers like gluten can all support thyroid health.
4. Support Your Liver
Your liver is responsible for converting T4 into the active T3 hormone. Supporting liver function through a healthy diet and detoxification can enhance thyroid hormone expression.
5. Get Regular Exercise
While overexercising can stress your thyroid, moderate, consistent exercise helps boost metabolism and overall hormone health.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you suspect your thyroid is causing your symptoms, don’t wait to get it checked. Look for a provider who specializes in root cause medicine—someone who will take the time to dig deeper into your health concerns and not just rely on standard lab tests.
The earlier you address thyroid dysfunction, the better your chances of avoiding long-term complications and improving your quality of life.
Final Thoughts
Your thyroid is a small gland with a big job. When it’s not working properly, your entire body can feel the effects. If you’re experiencing fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, or any of the other symptoms mentioned above, don’t ignore them.
Take charge of your health by getting a full thyroid evaluation and working with a provider who understands the complexities of thyroid function. By addressing thyroid issues early and holistically, you can support your body naturally and avoid lifelong struggles with your health.
