How do I know if I have a thyroid problem?
Answer:
The very best way to tell is to keep a thermometer next to your bed. Every morning for 7 days take your temperature as soon as you wake up. If your body temp is consistently low(below 97) then you are probably are low thyroid.
I had every symptom of low thyroid, thinning hair, weak nails, very dry skin, very low energy, always cold, and I was taking anti-depressants, but the doctor said the test came back fine. So I did some research and found that the tests they do are not very accurate, and found this method. I had a waking body temp of only 95 degrees three days out of seven(and the room temp was 78). That is classified as hypothermia! My doctor looked at that and put me on meds! I took them for awhile, and then changed to "natural thyroid" that I get over the counter. There are also supplements you can take specifically to help your thyroid, as certain vitamins and minerals HAVE to be present for your thyroid gland to function(one is iodine). Like I said, I did a LOT of research. I found out about the synthetic meds prescibed by most doctors, how eating soy can literally destroy your thyroid(soy is SO popular in diet foods, and it is sabotaging women's efforts to lose weight), how salt free diets can affect you(salt is the only way most people get iodine in their diet), the list goes one! Most of the stuff I found by googling, try "thyroid", "soy" and natural health sites and you will find out alot. Most of the stuff I found was new to me, and some is controversial, but I can tell you that I feel 100% better than I have in years, all my symptoms are improving, and I am no longer taking anti-depressants. I get up early, work out, work a full time job and actually feel good! I hope that you can find out what is going on with you, too. Good Luck!
P.S. I have not lost all the weight I want, but I feel so much better I don't even care!
I think you will have to get a doctor to order some tests to see if you have a thyroid problem.
the thyroid gland in your neck will be sore and you will either gain or lose weight rapidly
A simple blood test can tell you. You might have hypothyroidism where your thyroid gland works too slow. I have hyperthyroidism where the thyroid gland works too fast.
I lost about 20lbs over about 6months without dieting and excerising, i lsot a lot of hair (almost all of it), i was tired and weak ALL the time, i have to quit the dance time i was on becuase it was too much stress on my over active heart.
Take a blood test. I have tot ake one every month, its no biggy.
Hey! I can relate. I'm hypo-thyroid due to Thyroid Cancer. You need some simple blood tests, T-3, T-4 and anti-thyroid anti-body tests. Check out the website thyroidabout.com and read the book by Mary J. Shomon "Living well with hypo-thyroidism." It includes a checklist of symptoms that will really help pinpoint the problem! Good luck, I hope it's something else for your sake!
You can find out if you have a thyroid problem by having a first thing in the morning blood test. D not test in the afternoon, as it could stop a diagnosis. It happened to me.
Most likely your doctor will test TSH. Find ot what the TSH number was, as most labs are still going by outdated ranges of 0.3 to 5.5. AACE changed the range in 2003 to 0.3 to 3.0, so if its over 3.0 you should be put on thyroid meds.
If at all possible, get a free t4, free t3, and an antibody test as well as the TSH.
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