Healthy Thyroid, Healthy You
Ever been to the doctor where you were told what you were feeling was just "in your head" or that "this is just a part of aging"? Or that your "labs were great" and "everything had checked out"?
Hmmm, you're thinking.
So why do I need 3 cups of coffee in the morning to even start waking up?
Why are my nails brittle and my skin so dry?
Why do I have a puffy face and seem to be gaining weight for no reason?
Why is my hair falling out in clumps?
Why am I always constipated and cold?
Why is my cholesterol high?
It's clear that what you're feeling is not just in your head, my friend.
What you are feeling is your thyroid communicating with you that it doesn't have the materials it needs to function optimally.
Labs at your doctor's office often "look great” because they're typically only testing one or two thyroid markers that don’t tell nearly a complete story.
There are many different ways thyroid dysfunction an occur, and the reason you’re feeling so poorly with no answers is because they’re missing 75% of the picture.
Want the solution?
You've got to dig deeper.
But before we get into what that means, let's understand how the thyroid works.
Your thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland located at the front of the neck and acts like your body's furnace.
When metabolism is too low, your brain initiates a hormone cascade to "turn up the heat".
When it's too high, thyroid hormones will be deactivated so they cannot signal.
A healthy thyroid can respond to these fluctuations and keep everything in balance.
But, if the thyroid is compromised (by stress, toxins, autoimmune damage, nutrient deficiencies, etc.), then every system in the body will be affected.
Okay, enough tech talk.
Here's what you can do to do today to start balancing your thyroid:
Dig deep for answers with a functional practitioner who can order and interpret a FULL thyroid panel that includes: TSH, Total T4, Free T4, Total T3, Free T3, Reverse T3 and thyroid antibodies TG and TPO.
Eat enough quality protein, healthy fats and carbs from veggies, fruits, and fiber. These foods have the essential nutrients needed to make thyroid hormones: magnesium, iodine, selenium, zinc, B vitamins, vit. C, vit D, tyrosine, and essential fatty acids.
Say goodbye to all endocrine disrupting chemicals in your home, including beauty products (yes, that perfume you love) and cleaning supplies (many "natural" cleaning products are green washed so check ingredients thoroughly).
Address your stress levels as your body will not prioritize hormone balance in a stressed state.
Balance your blood sugar. Wildly swinging blood sugar creates more stress in the body.
Filter your water. Like REALLY filter your water. Look for a filtering option that effectively removes chlorine, fluoride, bromine, and pharmaceuticals.
Prioritize gut health. Often hidden gut infections and food sensitivities can affect thyroid function. If you're struggling with thyroid health, this is one of the first places to start.