A low thyroid can be missed when looking at lab tests. Laboratories get their “normal values” by testing a set number of people and then figuring out the average values. The problem is that some of the people used to determine normal values may actually have low hormone levels. This means that you may be told your levels are normal when in fact they are not at a healthy, optimal level. The best way to determine if you have a low thyroid is to evaluate your symptoms and compare your labwork to people who feel optimal.
You may have a low thyroid if you have the following symptoms:
- Prone to weight gain or difficult to lose weight with lifestyle changes
- Morning fatigue
- Intolerance to cold, cold hands
- Dry hair and/or skin
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Leg cramps at night
- Depressed mood
- Slow thinking, poor memory
These are the most commonly seen symptoms. If you feel that something is “off”, it is advised to get your hormone levels and symptoms evaluated by a physician who is specially trained in bio-identical hormones.