5 Signs Your Thyroid May Not Be Working

Greenville SC Thyroid Doctor Shares 5 Signs Your Thyroid May Not Be Working

Thyroid problems aren’t always obvious. Some individuals experience symptoms they associate with poor thyroid function, while others may have health problems they never imagine relate to the thyroid. Sometimes it seems there are no signs at all.

Here are 5 signs your thyroid may not be working properly:

1. Signs of slow metabolism

Poor thyroid function can cause problems that reflect a slow metabolism. Weight gain, or an inability to lose extra weight regardless of diet or exercise, is one example; chronic fatigue or exhaustion is another. Constipation and low sex drive are two more potential signs of low thyroid function.

2. Skin and hair conditions

Low thyroid function is often associated with thinning hair, or hair loss that doesn’t seem to have a cause. Skin conditions are a lesser known indicator of poor thyroid function. Sometimes patients who have thyroid problems suffer from dry skin, eczema, or hives.

If a thyroid problem is involved in your skin condition, it is very likely you can be helped once the underlying cause is identified. Thyroid patients often have an autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto’s, which can involve inflammation that manifests as skin problems like seemingly inexplicable rashes or hives.

3. Digestive disorders

In addition to constipation, some thyroid patients struggle with autoimmune conditions that involve the digestive system. This may be especially likely if the individual has Hashimoto’s. Leaky gut syndrome, often associated with autoimmune problems like Hashimoto’s, can result in a wide variety of symptoms throughout the body.

One of the most obvious signs of gut problems associated with poor thyroid function is nutritional deficiencies. Once the root cause of the problem is identified through a comprehensive evaluation, a functional wellness care provider can help you heal and recover. Digestive disorders are often quite manageable with the right approach.

4. Problems with Neurological Function

Thyroid patients often struggle with what’s sometimes called ‘brain fog;—memory problems, an inability to concentrate, confusion, and sluggish thinking. This can severely impact quality of life. Sometimes low thyroid function also results in mood deterioration. You may experience depression, anxiety or both.

Hormone imbalance associated with low thyroid may be one contributing factor to disruptions in neurological function and mood; gut problems may be another potential cause. A functional wellness practitioner will utilize comprehensive testing to get to the bottom of whatever problems you are having with neurological function. Once the causes are identified, customized therapeutic support can help you begin to heal.

5. Unexplained Infertility

Thyroid problems, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, are associated with infertility in couples where other possible causes are ruled out. Fertility may be compromised in both men and women, and the effects of the thyroid problem can occur even if the individual has no symptoms at all.

Couples who are experiencing unexplained infertility should seek out a comprehensive evaluation. A functional wellness care provider can determine whether or not a thyroid problem is an underlying factor in the inability to conceive, and what may be done in terms of a solution.

Schedule your FREE thyroid consultation today and learn how we may be able to help your thyroid symptoms.