Are You Hypothyroid? These Symptoms Help Answer For You...

Your thyroid is shaped like a butterfly and sits in front of the windpipe at the front of your neck. This tiny gland is plays an extremely important role and can affect your entire metabolic process. It secretes several hormones including T1, T2, T3 and T4 and requires adequate vitamins and antioxidants for optimal function such as selenium, iodine, zinc and B vitamins.

When the thyroid is not functioning properly, it can leave you feeling extremely fatigued along with a number of other symptoms that may indicate you are hypothyroid. Such symptoms may include constipation, dry skin, weight gain, muscle weakness, muscle aches and pains, elevated blood cholesterol levels, pain and stiffness in your joints, thinning hair, depression or mood swings, heavier than normal periods or missed periods, and brain fog or impaired memory.

The above mentioned are the most common symptoms of hypothyroid. Unfortunately, for many this may go undetected as older patients tend to attribute their symptoms to age and growing older. However, as your metabolism continues to slow down, you are more than likely to develop many more symptoms that will make you more alert to the possibility of having a hypothyroid issue.

Furthermore, check into your family history as this may be an indicator that you could have a higher risk for hypothyroidism. Specifically, does your family history include celiac disease, Type 1 Diabetes, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, or elevated cholesterol levels? If so, consult with your physician and request a full thyroid panel of blood work to determine whether or not you are hypothyroid.