Tag Archives: thyroid gland

Undiagnosed Hypothyroid Problems

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Have you been experiencing any of the following symptoms?

  • Slow pulse
  • Lethargy
  • Hoarse voice
  • Slowed speech
  • Puffy face
  • Drooping eyelids
  • Loss of eyebrows from the side
  • Intolerance to cold
  • Weight gain
  • Constipation
  • Dry, scaly, thick, coarse hair
  • Raised, thickened skin over the shins
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Confusion
  • Depression
  • Dementia
  • Headaches
  • Menstrual cramps or other menstrual disorders

In children:

  • Growth retardation
  • Delayed teething
  • Mental deficiency

Have you been to you regular doctor and had your thyroid tested but all the results were normal? If you answered yes to this question, then you are likely suffering from a subclinical hypothyroidism, which is quite often undiagnosed through the regular medical testing that your doctor may provide. So what to do now? Well, there are various tests that you can ask your naturopathic physician for  that may be able to detect this subclinical hypothyroid state. Subclinical hypothyroid states might also be caused on by an imbalance in other hormones such as your female hormone – estrogen or your stress hormone – cortisol, making diagnosis of functional hypothyroidism even more difficult. Women tend to gain weight when they enter perimenopause or menopause, which could be attributed to a change in various hormones, including a decrease in your metabolic rate.

The thyroid gland is responsible for maintaining and regulating the metabolic rate, hence indirectly, entering menopause or perimenopause may cause a functional hypothyroid state, which may not be detected through the regular medical laboratory tests. Talk to your naturopath to check for something called Reverse T3 – a hormone that may be imbalanced when you have functional hypothyroidism. Once your naturopath has diagnosed and done the proper assessments, and testing, they will usually help you balance your endocrine system naturally, which includes balancing your overall hormonal status including your thyroid.

By: Sushma Shah, Naturopathic Doctor, at the Nature’s Intentions Naturopathic Clinic.