Thyroid Health
According to the Thyroid Foundation of Canada*, 1 in 10 Canadians, both men and women, have a thyroid problem. It’s further estimated that 50% are undiagnosed.
There is more than a singular thyroid diagnosis. There is hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Post-partum thyroiditis, cancer and nodules.
As part of our complex endocrine system, that includes the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenals, the thyroid is located in the throat and directly affects our metabolism, temperature, the brain, heart and more…
A goiter is a swollen thyroid and is an obvious malfunction, but what about those less obvious symptoms that create the ‘50% undiagnosed’ statistic?
Regarding hypothyroidism: to the discerning practitioner, symptoms like constant fatigue, weight gain for no apparent reason and excessive hair loss are warning signs.
For you and I, we might attempt a lifestyle adjustment or accept these as part of the aging process. Furthermore, let’s presume we visit the doctor and a thyroid test is within current accepted parameters. We then conclude, ‘It must be something else.’
Not necessarily. There are countless examples of ‘normal’ thyroid numbers yet without a correct diagnosis. Remember, the thyroid affects the rate of metabolism. When the metabolism is slowed a number of symptoms are mimicked, like the following:
- constipation
- fatigue
- weight gain
- hair loss
- low body temperature
- depression and/or anxiety
- dry skin
- high cholesterol
- infertility in women
- menstrual problems
- carpal tunnel problems
- neck swelling or discomfort
- family history
Be honest, would you associate these to a hypoactive thyroid? Maybe. Probably not. Hence, the 50% undiagnosed.
For more in-depth information, click the links below for articles on, Men’s Thyroid Health and Holistic Approaches to Thyroid Problems.
http://hypothyroidmom.com/hypothyroid-dads-advice-for-men-with-an-underactive-thyroid/
Visit The Healthy Habit for products specifically formulated to be helpful with thyroid health.
The Healthy Habit, since 1992.
* The Thyroid Foundation of Canada, in 1980, was the very first of it’s kind in the world. (Well Done)
