Hypothyroidism – Underactive Thyroid
What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. This condition is often called underactive thyroid.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
• General fatigue
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Dry skin or pale skin and which may be cold when touched
• Unexplained weight gain
• Puffy face, hands and feet
• Hoarseness of voice
• Muscle weakness
• Elevated blood cholesterol level
• Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
• Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
• Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
• Thin hair and brittle hair
• Slowed heart rate
• Depression
• Impaired memory
• Decreased taste and smell
• Slow speech
• Thickening of the skin
• Thinning of eyebrows
• Brittle nails
• Coarse features of the face
• Reflexes that are abnormal
Causes of thyroid underactive
- Nutritional factors – reduced supply of thyroid nutrients like: tyrosine, iodine, iron, selenium, zinc and vitamin D
- Gastrointestinal symptoms – hypochlorydia (low stomach acid), celiac disease, bowel dysbiosis like Candida
- Hormone imbalances – adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism (low thyroid) often coexist. High estrogen levels can reduce the active thyroid hormone levels
- Liver function – reduced liver function can affect hormonal levels
- Immune function – auto immune diseases can affect active thyroid hormone levels
- Environmental toxins – heavy metals and phyto-estrogens can affect hormonal levels
- Mitochondrial dysfunction (Oxidative stress) – check for diabetes or insulin resistance
- Medication can reduce active thyroid hormone levels like: beta blockers, oral contraceptives, lithium, phenytoin, theophylline, chemotherapy.
Detection of hypothyroidism
- Blood tests for thyroid function and thyroid antibodies
- Complete basal metabolic temperature chart for one month
If you experience any of the above symptoms and struggle to lose weight, even on following a strict diet, then there is a strong possibility that you suffer from hypothyroidism (low thyroid) and need a consultation with your holistic healthcare practitioner. Lifestyle clinic offers natural solutions to hypothyroidism (low thyroid).
Thyroid Support
Basal Metabolic Temperature Chart
Body Temperature Charting Instructions
| Charting the body’s basal metabolic temperature is an easy relatively accurate screening tool for understanding the general health of the thyroid and adrenal glands.The temperature patterns can be interpreted once the client’s temperatures have been recorded for one or two months. |
- Use a digital thermometer.
- Record the Oral temperature for a whole month (some people prefer to check an axillary temperature as low grade infections can cause a slight elevation in temperature).
- Do this before getting out of bed in the morning or before eating or drinking.
- Plot the temperatures taken on the chart. You can also add additional information such as energy levels, mood, changes in medications, menstrual patterns and any significant events.
- If the temperature is 36.4 C or less for 3 to 5 consecutive days or more, it may indicate low thyroid function. For women who menstruate, these 3-5 days are most accurately measured during the first days in menstrual cycle (days 1-10), however charting the entire month is important.
- If less than 36.1 C, thyroid function is fairly compromised.
| Day(week) | M | T | W | T | F | S | S | M | T | W | T | F | S | S | M | T | W | T | F | S | S | M | T | W | T | F | S | S | M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
| WEEK | WEEK | WEEK | WEEK | WEEK | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Day(cycle) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 37.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 37.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 37.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 37.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 37.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 35.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 35.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 35.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 35.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 35.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interpreting the Temperature Graph as a Guideline
|
Stable but low temperature Patients with low functioning thyroid or hypothyroidism typically have very stable, but low temperatures.
Considerable variability and instability (sharp and spiking) Adrenal types i.e. people with low adrenal function or adrenal fatigue show considerable variability and instability in their temperatures. Adrenal types are hot in the heat and cold in the cold. As adrenal patients begin to heal, a pattern of contraction is noticed in their highs and lows i.e. the differences between their highs and lows are not as extreme. This is a sign that healing is taking place and stabilization will show in the pattern.
Rising in average temperatures (stable or unstable) As the metabolic energy increases a rising in the average temperatures may be noticed.
Increase in variability – an expansion pattern Greater stress on the adrenals or an increase in thyroid stimulation causes the temperatures to be less stable. This pattern shows that be patient is unable to handle the increasing stress on the body.
Contracting/Rising pattern – A sign of improvement This is a sign of improvement. The highs and lows get closer together and there is a general rise in body temperature. |
References
www.medford.co.za
www.mayoclinic.org
