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Have you had your thyroid checked lately?

I have had a thyroid problem for years. I was diagnosed as hypothyroid (low levels of thyroid hormone) about thirty years ago.  Once I started taking medication and following up regularly, things were great for a long time. Then, after menopause, I started having problems again.  At that point, my levels were abnormal because of all the changes a woman's body undergoes at this point in life.  In case you are uninformed about the problems caused by thyroid imbalance, here is a short list...it's incomplete but it will give you the idea:

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism                                          Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
 (underactive gland)                                                            (overactive gland)


depressed mood                                                              anxious or agitated
sluggish                                                                           jittery
slow heart beat                                                                racing heart
sensitive to cold                                                              weight loss
constipation                                                                     tremor
dry skin                                                                            sweating
weight gain                                                                      sensitivity to heat
puffiness                                                                          problems  with sleeping
hoarseness                                                                       fine, brittle hair
thinning hair                                                                    thinning of skin
problems with memory or concentration                        muscle fatigue/weakness     


















So you might ask...what does this have to do with chronic pain?  As you can see, the thyroid gland has affects all over the body.  It affects how you feel overall, and if levels are too high or too low, there can be serious complications.  Sadly, it's a very common problem.  If you already have a chronic pain problem, you certainly don't want any more problems from something that's easy to identify and treat.  Correcting a thyroid problem does wonders for mood and overall health...a definite plus in feeling good overall!

Source: MayoClinic; American Thyroid Association
        


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