Hypothyroidism
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits low on the front of your neck. Its primary role is to regulate your metabolism. With an underactive thyroid, you’re not producing enough thyroid hormone for your body to function well.
But hypothyroidism warning signs are notoriously sneaky, with common symptoms like fatigue, sensitivity to cold, and overall sluggishness being easy to miss as they’re subtle and can be explained by other things.
Dr. Feuerstein takes it a step further by screening for subclinical hypothyroidism––which is when your “levels are still in a normal range, but your thyroid is struggling to keep up.” He says: “The way we see that is in elevated levels of TSH—thyroid stimulating hormone—produced in your brain’s pituitary gland. Levels of TSH start to go up and up, a sign that your body is compensating for the thyroid that’s not working properly.”
Getting tested matters! Low thyroid can lead to weight gain, cardiovascular disease, fertility issues, depression, and more. Ask your doctor if you might have subclinical or standard hypothyroidism.
Recommendation: One person out of every 20 has hypothyroidism in the USA, which is why getting lab results is so important, especially if you have a family history of thyroid conditions. If you’re found to be low, it can be remedied easily with medication!
