Symptoms of thyroid disease can reveal themselves in many different ways. Discussing the many presentations of thyroid disease can help individuals recognize when they should have their thyroid hormone levels checked. Thyroid patient advocate, writer, and author, Rachel Hill discusses the ten most surprising symptoms that she faced as a result of thyroid disease. If you identify with these symptoms, you should request a full thyroid panel run by a medical professional.
8 Comments
Building an effective support network is important in life especially when you have a chronic condition such as thyroid hormone imbalance or autoimmune thyroid disease. Dr. Brittany Henderson of the Charleston Thyroid Center offers four steps to help patients develop a lifelong thyroid doctor-patient relationship with a medical professional who fits their personal needs.
When diagnosing and treating individuals with symptoms of thyroid hormone imbalance, many medical professionals will refer exclusively to the TSH laboratory test. Patients who have symptoms despite a “normal” TSH test and research laboratory testing for hypothyroidism will quickly discover that there are medical professionals and patients advocating for testing beyond TSH.
Healthy adrenal function is essential to thyroid hormone balance. Holistic health coach, Andrea Beaman details the common symptoms as well as the common causes of adrenal dysfunction with some suggestions regarding nutritional deficiencies.
Many patients are finding their path to health with expanded laboratory testing and expanded treatment options thanks to the advocacy within the thyroid community. However, many patients are still suffering due to a lack of diagnosis or inability to access options beyond levothyroxine-only. How can we help to end the global suffering of thyroid patients?
Depression is a known symptom of thyroid disease. The exclusive use of the TSH laboratory test does not identify all patients with thyroid hormone imbalance since it is a measure of pituitary function not of thyroid hormone. Therefore, expanded thyroid hormone testing must be conducted before a patient is diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
It can be challenging for patients to know where to begin when approaching their individual nutritional needs. Beginning with the vitamin levels that often need to be raised in patients with hypothyroidism, individuals can use the information below to have a discussion with their medical professional regarding testing, diets changes and, if needed, supplementation.
Submitted by Erica H.
Sherman Oaks, California, USA Patient Question: "Does Hashimoto's go away with treatment? I have Hashimoto's and it seems to go away and then it comes back. It also seems to come in cycles: skin breakouts (hormonal acne, predominately on my chin and neck) followed by extreme dry skin/hair and water retention/weight gain/constipation. by Kit Kellison
ThyroidChange Guest Writer Okay everyone, there is a lot of misinformation going around the net about the role of gluten in thyroid disease. In the next two blogs I'll try to suss out everything we thyroid patients need to know about the role of gluten in our diets. Submitted by Jeannie
Naperville, Illinois, USA Patient Question: "I have some test results that I wanted a clearer understanding of. I had a total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease and a multi-nodule goiter at the end of July. I had just come down from being hyperthyroid to the higher end of "normal" when I had the surgery.
by Denise Roguz
ThyroidChange Co-Founder and Hashimoto's Patient During Thyroid Disease Awareness Month, a ground-breaking new documentary on thyroid disease, Sick to Death!, will have its online premiere on Vimeo. The film uncovers the horrible difficulties that patients often have with getting diagnosed or finding proper treatment. by Michelle Campeau
ThyroidChange Co-Founder and Hashimoto's Patient Yes. You read that correct. There have been some amazing advances in the field of neuroscience, published March 12th, and it affects us, thyroid patients. How? Submitted by Sharon B.
Philadelphia, PA, USA Patient Question: "What is the major cause of high reverse T3 (RT3)? When high RT3 is cleared with T3-only therapy, is it usually necessary to continue on some type of thyroid medication containing T4 as well (such as natural desiccated thyroid)?" by Denise Roguz
ThyroidChange Co-Founder, Hashimoto's and Lyme Disease Patient Chronic illness is hell. No doubt about it. The physical pain, sheer exhaustion, crumbling of body systems, coupled with feelings of defeat, guilt, and shame, are horrific to say the least. It can reduce you to your very core. It can rob you of the person you once used to be. It has no mercy. Treating Thyroid Resistance and a Free T3/Reverse T3 Ratio Issue (Answer by David Borenstein, MD)10/30/2017 Submitted by Justine W.
Rochester, MI, USA Patient Question: "I'm currently on T3-only (Cytomel) for thyroid resistance (I also have adrenal issues which my doctor and I are addressing). However, I'm confused about how we will know if I'm ready to introduce NDT or T4-only medication to my T3 medication. Also, I would love more information about Reverse T3 and Free T3/Reverse T3 ratios. Thank you! My questions are below: |
|