Most people (but not all) who have an underactive thyroid have Hashimoto's which is an autoimmune disease that over time results in your immune system destroying your thyroid gland. Your doctor is unlikely to tell you that you have Hashimoto's as they don't usually test for thyroid antibodies as it won't change their treatment plan. 

 

The standard way in which conventional medicine investigates a suspected under-active thyroid is a blood test for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), if this is elevated and comes back out of range then maybe free T4 will be tested (this is the main prohormone the thyroid gland produces). Both of these markers have a very broad reference range on standard blood tests. So it is often the case that individuals will be told that their thyroid function is completely normal and 'within range' and yet they are still symptomatic.

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Common symptoms of an under-active thyroid include: 

Fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, forgetfulness , menstrual irregularities, bloating, sluggish bowel movements/constipation and lack of motivation or low mood and anxiety. It's also possible to transiently experience symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as weight loss and restlessness as the thyroid may release pockets of extra stored thyroid hormone as it becomes damaged. 

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It's possible to get much more in-depth thyroid testing performed privately with laboratories that provide a considerably more detailed picture as to what is going on with the thyroid and the hormones that it produces . It may also be appropriate to investigate gut health, food sensitivities, chronic viral conditions and markers of chronic stress in conjunction with thyroid testing. As a registered nutritional therapist, I can arrange these tests and go through the results with you and together we can make a nutrition and lifestyle plan of action in order to support optimal health. 

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If you would like to investigate your thyroid health further and perform an at-home finger prick blood test followed by an hour online consultation with me click the button below to learn more.

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If you already know you have Hashimoto's (or an underactive thyroid) and are on thyroid hormone replacement therapy and would like to support your health with the condition with one of my packages click the button below for a free 30-minute discovery call. This is designed so that we can learn more about each and see if nutritional therapy is right for you. 

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