Hashimoto’s disease – or more accurately Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common affliction of the thyroid and is known to affect up to fourteen million people living in the United States. This autoimmune thyroid disorder makes immune cells attack healthy tissues in the human body. When these immune cells target the thyroid directly, Hashimoto’s can occur.
The symptoms of Hashimoto’s are usually overlooked, and this is the primary reason why you need to know the signs of this health condition. This will enable you to know what to do to address the situation. In addition to these symptoms, there are functional diagnostic tests that can help discover if your thyroid is giving you issues
Here are the five signs that show you might have Hashimoto’s:
Fatigue
One common symptom of Hashimoto’s is fatigue, and this is a condition that most people take for granted and don’t usually discuss with their health care practitioner. For many conventional health care practitioners, fatigue is a non-issue, however, for a functional medicine practitioner, this can be pointing to many things.
Fatigue is associated with Hashimoto’s or thyroid dysfunction, and it is evident when you find that you are always weary and don’t have the energy to do the things you love to do. The condition makes it difficult for you to sustain energy for productive work.
Constipation
Constipation is a subject that only a few people talk about; however, if you always suffer constipation, you will be surprised to discover that your thyroid contributes to such discomforts. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – which causes hypothyroidism – also causes the human body’s systems to slow down digestion and elimination which can bring about constipation.
Many individuals with thyroid conditions – like hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s – may suffer such undesirable symptom. Diet modifications can gradually remedy the situation. However, it is highly crucial to tackle the source of the disease to eliminate it.
Goiter
The inflammation of the thyroids often leads to the development of goiter. They are, in most cases, present with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, but keep in mind some goiters don’t cause any symptoms whatsoever. The only way to discover whether or not you have goiter is by visiting your physician and getting examined thoroughly. Some symptoms include the following:
- Coughs
- Tightness of the throat
- Difficulty in breathing, though this depends significantly on the size of the goiter
These are the illuminating signs of Hashimoto’s. So go and get yourself checked out if you start noticing some swelling around your thyroid.
Weight Gain
This is perhaps the most annoying symptom that is linked to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Many obese individuals do everything under the sun to shed excess weight, but nothing happens. Not a pound of weight is lost. So, if you belong to this category, maybe it is high time you checked your thyroid. This is because the thyroid plays a significant role when it comes to the health of your metabolism. If anything happens to your thyroid function, it also affects your metabolism.
Thyroid issues can make it difficult for individuals to burn off calories. Although one can opt for medication to take care of Hashimoto’s, one can add exercise, lifestyle changes as well as the Keto diet which will cumulatively enhance your chances at losing excess weight as well as improve Hashimoto’s simultaneously.
Intense Sensitivity to Cold
If you start noticing that you nearly always feel cold, much more than anyone else around you or discover that it becomes an uphill battle to adjust to cool temperatures, your thyroid may be the culprit. The thyroid is purportedly the human body’s thermostat, and if it becomes dysfunctional, you may start finding it difficult to cope with cold temperatures.
Wrap Up
Always make time to check your thyroid function at your regular wellness visit. If you have any concerns at being too cold at all times, or any other symptoms then be willing to discuss this with your physician.
Check out these other sources of information:
- What You Need to Know About Your Thyroid Health
- Symptoms of Thyroid Problems & Remedies That Help
- 6-Steps to Heal Your Thyroid
