Pooja Vig
Co-Founder, The Nutrition Clinic
It is estimated that almost 10% of the population has known thyroid issues – and the number of people with sub-clinical thyroid imbalance is far greater than that.
Worldwide it is thought that more than 60% of those with thyroid issues are completely unaware that they have them.
As a practitioner who has worked with numerous clients on balancing the thyroid, I would like you to know that any condition such as thyroid imbalance doesn't happen overnight. In fact, the cellular changes that lead to such a condition may have started years ago.
At The Nutrition Clinic, we see a growing trend of women in their mid-30s, 40s, and 50s having thyroid imbalances such as hypo and hyperthyroidism. We also see a pronounced increase in Hashimoto’s disease and Grave’s disease – both are thyroid issues that are caused by an underlying auto-immune condition.
The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism are:
Fatigue, lethargy, and sometimes depression or low motivation to exercise
Moodiness and sometimes anxiety
Intolerance to cold and frequently feeling chilly
Dry hair and skin
Brain fog, trouble concentrating and forgetfulness
Unexplainable weight gain
Constipation, bloating, and other digestive issues
Muscle weakness, sometimes aches or pains, and other discomforts
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism commonly include:
Nervousness or symptoms of anxiety
Insomnia and sleep troubles
Racing heart
Eyes that appear large and sometimes bulge
Unexplained weight loss
High amounts of perspiration
Muscle weakness
Multiple bowel movements
Thin, brittle hair
If you have symptoms of thyroid disease or think you might be at risk for it, see your doctor to get tested.
How One Patient Found Relief From Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Symptoms
Tanya came to see us with extreme fatigue and sudden hair fall.
“I am so, so exhausted, I honestly feel like my battery is flat. But it's the hair loss that's making me flip. At this rate, I will be bald."
Profile: Tanya*, 38-year-old Female
Symptoms: Fatigue, Hair fall, Constipation, Skin Issues, Weight Resistance
Symptoms and Health Background
Tanya is a 38-year-old female with significant fatigue and hair fall. She had been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis after the birth of her child. She put the fatigue down to being a busy mom. She had also been anemic for many years. Tanya came to see us with this feeling that something was wrong. She had difficulty losing weight even, had constipation, had flakey dry skin, and had this flat, exhausted feeling that wasn't shifting.
Diet and Lifestyle
She ate a strict vegetarian diet for religious reasons and had a busy and demanding job which meant she was often eating quick convenience foods.
Food Sensitivities
Her results showed significant intolerance to over 20 foods including gluten, low B-vitamins, magnesium, iron, Vitamin C, and a significant imbalance of gut flora. The core focus of our work was to address the leaky gut as a way of balancing her immune system.
Interventions:
Advised her to cut back on processed carbohydrates especially refined grains and sugar. She was relying on a lot of soy products which she was encouraged to reduce.
Added healthy fats and protein with every meal.
Avoid food sensitivities
Methylated B-vitamins with adequate levels of folate and B12 along with magnesium, zinc, selenium and herbal supplements to balance the nervous system
Start a high-quality, high potency fish oil supplement
Repair leaky gut by clearing organisms that had overgrown in the gut, along with probiotics, glutamine, collagen, and enzymes
Outcome:
In a few weeks, she noted a significant improvement in energy, in 2 months her hair fall stabilized and at her next blood test, her thyroid antibodies had reduced.
Better Health Starts Here
Ready to take your health to the next level or learn more about the 3-month intensive that helped Tanya regain her sense of self? Book a free 10-min enquiry call with our care team to learn
Or Book your First Consultation with our Functional Nutritionist to get started on your health optimisation plan today. *First Consultation fees will be waived off if you sign up for our 6-month programme.