Trusted Help For Thyroid Care in Greenville SC
Have you been feeling unwell lately? Do you wonder what is causing you to feel so out of sorts? Do you have strange symptoms which have lasted much longer than you think they should have, or that cannot be caused by that illness from a few weeks ago? Do you suspect that feeling unwell is caused by more than just “getting older”? It is possible that a low, or underactive, thyroid is to blame.
Did you know that an underactive thyroid can affect you from head to toe? There are many symptoms which occur frequently, and others which are less common. Two people who both have low thyroid may have a few symptoms in common, or they can each have their own individual markers for underactive thyroid. Each person’s individual case of low thyroid is as unique as they are.
A person with low thyroid usually experiences physical symptoms, but may also have mental side effects as well. Beginning at the top of the body, a person may experience brittle hair or a hoarse voice on the physical side, but may also experience depression, mood swings, and concentration or memory problems on the mental or emotional side. As we travel farther down the body, the symptoms are only physical. The person may experience constipation, their metabolism may be very sluggish, and they might have trouble regulating their own body temperature.
This is because all of these bodily processes are controlled by the hormones, which are produced by the thyroid. If the thyroid is not working as it should, then it is not producing the amount of hormones required by the body to do these things. So if there isn’t enough thyroid hormone for the body to work with, this person may have a sluggish metabolism, may be constipated, and their body temperature may be a few degrees lower than it should be.
A woman who has low thyroid may experience irregular menstrual cycles, heavy bleeding and perhaps even fertility problems. Men and women with underactive thyroid may experience swollen or painful joints, as well as muscle pain, soreness and cramping. In addition to the problem of regulating body temperature, a person with low thyroid may also feel colder than other people or feel cold when others are comfortable. This is called intolerance of cold temperatures. It can affect their whole body, but be very noticeable in their extremities. This means that their hands, feet, fingers and toes may feel very painful in colder temperatures, even when gloves, socks and shoes are worn.
It can be easy to dismiss a new symptom when it crops up because they start off as mild. They may be easy to blame on the aging process or as being left over from a recent illness. It is important to understand that you do not need to accept feeling ill, sore or unwell as a normal part of getting older, because it is not true.
People of all ages feel well, even middle aged adults and senior citizens. It is also important to understand that if a symptom lingers long past an illness, it means that there is another, underlying issue. Your good health is in your hands, so if you’re experiencing troublesome or long-lasting symptoms, pick up the phone and call a functional wellness practitioner today.
