As I sat in the doctor’s examination room that September day in 1999, I rattled off my symptoms. I was mind-numbingly exhausted all of the time in spite of sleeping 10 hours a day during the week and sometimes as much as 14 on the weekends. My skin was very dry and I was always cold (often wearing sweaters outside in June.) I’d written my symptoms on a post-it note, I told him, because I’d become increasingly forgetful.

“I’m only 26 years old,” I said. “I shouldn’t be this tired. Or forgetful.”

My answers finally came after a visit with this new doctor. He called days after he’d ordered specific blood tests.  I learned I had hypothyroidism.

What is a thyroid?

The thyroid gland is found in the neck just below the “Adam’s apple.” This gland, shaped somewhat like a butterfly, produces an important hormone that stimulates the metabolism of the body. Metabolism isn’t just about how much food you eat. It’s about how much energy your body needs to carry out regular functions. (Think blood pressure. Or ovulation.) Now when this gland produces too much or not enough hormone? You’ve got an issue.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the term used when the body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Estimates vary but as many as 10 million Americans have this common medical condition. As many as 10% of women may have some degree of thyroid hormone deficiency. In fact, millions of people are currently hypothyroid and don’t know it. (My dad was one of those people until a few weeks ago!)

According to Endocrineweb.com, “There are two fairly common causes of hypothyroidism. The first is a result of previous (or currently ongoing) inflammation of the thyroid gland, which leaves a large percentage of the cells of the thyroid damaged (or dead) and incapable of producing sufficient hormone. The most common cause of thyroid gland failure is called autoimmune thyroiditis (also called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), a form of thyroid inflammation caused by the patient’s own immune system.”

Some of the signs/symptoms include: weight gain, feeling tired and sluggish, dry skin, heavy or irregular periods, memory problems, constipation and depression. 

Mary Shomon, who’s been writing about thyroid issues for years,  has an assortment of information as well as a checklist you can bring to your doctor if you suspect you have this issue. (She was an incredible help to me years ago!)

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism occurs when there’s too much thyroid hormone on tissues of the body.  According to Endocrineweb.com, “There are several causes of hyperthyroidism. Most often, the entire gland is overproducing thyroid hormone. This is called Graves’ disease. Less commonly, a single nodule is responsible for the excess hormone secretion. We call this a “hot” nodule.  Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid) can also cause hyperthyroidism.”

Some of the signs/symptoms of hyperthyroidism include feeling warmer than others around you, increase appetite, trouble sleeping, breathlessness, increase bowel movements, trembling hands, irregular heartbeat and irritability.

Mary Shomon also has a check list for those who suspect they have a hyperthyroid issue.

Getting a diagnosis

If you’re experiencing symptoms like the ones I’ve mentioned, you may want to talk to your doctor. From there, your doctor may want you to get a blood test to determine whether your thyroid levels are within a healthy range. Based on the diagnosis, you may be placed on medication.

A healthy thyroid level is a range of .05 to 5-0. You might be within the outskirts of a normal range and not feel well. You may find you feel best at a higher or lower level. (Oddly enough the lower the number, the higher the amount of thyroid hormone in your body.) Finding a level that’s best for you means finding a doctor who’s willing to listen to you and work with you and adjust your medication. (Some people feel great at 4.5. Others feel better at a 1 or 3.)

There are some specialists in the area who can help you. If you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant you definitely want to enlist the help of an endocrinologist to manage your thyroid levels. (Levels that are too high or low can result in miscarriage.) As men and women age, the thyroid can cause havoc. So talk to your doctor if you begin to feel the symptoms listed. (Those symptoms typically sneak up on you, so getting yearly screening is a good idea.)

Some specialists in the St. Louis area include: Lamice El-Kholy, 1110 Highlands Plaza Dr E#280 St. Louis, James Etzkorn, MD Town & Country Medical Bldg. – Suite 116 2821 North Ballas Road, St. Louis, Garrett Hagen, 1035 Bellevue Avenue, Suite 205 St. Louis, and Rachel Oiknine, South Woods Mill Rd Suite 410, Chesterfield, MO.