It’s not depression, it’s your thyroid

If you can’t with the day to day, you are always tired and very cold; if you have very dry skin and your hair falls out; if you have a hard time concentrating and have serious memory problems; if you have been gaining weight and, furthermore, you are having a terrible time…, above all, psychologically; now you know that they are all symptoms of hypothyroidism.

thyroid problems

Normally, passing consultation is hard work that requires a high degree of concentration and considerable effort. But sometimes the consultation becomes a fun and learning place. And today has been one of those days.

A very special patient

She has arrived, very determined, she has sat down, she has put away her bag, her jacket, she has leaned forward and looking me straight in the face, she has begun to tell me:

—You know, doctor, I had always said “the thyroid”, but I found out that you have to say “the thyroid”. You already knew that, right?

I make as if to answer but I don’t arrive in time, since she continues with the speech as if she had it very well prepared.

—It is said “the thyroid”, for the gland, to differentiate it “from the thyroid”, the cartilage, the Adam’s apple that we have in our neck. It’s just that I think what I have is thyroid, you know?

I smile at her and when I try to open my mouth, she continues the lesson…

—Look, I have searched for information and I am here so that you can help me take care of it and love it because I need it to be able to give meaning to my life… I want to fall in love with my thyroid! This gland intervenes and regulates so many processes, and so important! Now I have understood everything, it turns out that The word thyroid comes from the Greek word thyros, which means ‘shield’.and I also know that it is an endocrine gland that has two lobes like open arms, like a delicate butterfly planted on the cartilage of the same name.

He pauses for a second to point to the front of his neck, which is a little thicker than normal.

“It goes from here to here.” Sees it? -asks me-I have it enlargedTRUE?

He stops just long enough to catch his breath and I no longer try to get a word in, I have decided to stay tuned and enjoy the show. Thus continues his curious and precise explanation:

—It took me a while to understand but now I have it clear: for it to work we need to have enough iodine. Its cells are arranged in a circle, forming precious follicles inside which thyroglobulin, a colloid substance, is stored. The process to produce your hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), is like a chain between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and thyroid (the so-called hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis or HPT). In normal people, and that’s not me -he points out smiling-, the process goes like this: first the hypothalamus produces the releasing hormone (TRH) with a frequency of 9 pulses a day (it increases its amplitude at night and its levels drop during the day). day), then the pituitary gland releases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and finally the thyroid acts. This HPT axis constantly communicates to adapt to the seasons and respond to changing temperatures. Especially in the cold: then the levels of TRH and TSH increase and, consequently, the activity of the thyroid. When there are already enough T3 and T4 hormones, negative feedback occurs on the hypothalamus and TRH levels drop. And that’s how the system levels off… But sometimes this system doesn’t work, right, doctor?

I wanted to explain that there are different types of hyperthyroidism when he began to tell me everything he had read.

—I know that the gland may be smaller than normal and that there is not enough tissue. But what happens to me is that I have it enlarged. It’s called goiter, right? It’s a compensatory effort, she does what she can, she grows, but it’s not enough to produce the amount of hormones my body needs. Surely it will be due to the iodine deficiency in the mountains of my town, because the other cause would be the destruction of the tissue by my own immune system, but why would that happen to me? Because I don’t have autoimmune thyroiditis, right, doctor?

I shook my head because it really seemed very unlikely to me.

—Now, after several years and having consulted so many specialists, I understand the problems I have with metabolism and high cholesterol, that there is no one to lower it with the diet, and why am I so tired and always so sad. It turns out that my heart and brain do not have enough thyroid hormones. I also know that It’s a difficult diagnosis, and That’s why the same thing happens to many people and they don’t know it… Do you remember that footballer, Ronaldo? Well, he had to retire from soccer because the same thing happened to him as me, he put on weight, he was always tired and with muscular slowness that prevented him from playing. Just like athlete Carl Lewis and Oprah Winfrey. Do you see that my figure resembles Oprah’s? Well that’s why always struggling with the scale. Anyway, doctor, I’ve had such a bad time… Above all, psychologically, you know? now i know that the symptoms of hypothyroidism resemble those of depression.

At that moment he stopped, it seemed that he was invaded by a certain sadness

—I am completely sure that I have hypothyroidism, I comply practically all the requirements: always very tired, very dry skin, my hair falls out, I have a hard time concentrating at work and I have serious memory problems.I have also been gaining weight, already 8 kg, and I have constipation and I am always out of temper, with a temperature of 36.3ºC. Do you see? I fulfill everything!

His arguments are so forceful that I only dare to nod my head. I could not agree more.

“So I’m here to ask you to help me.” What do you think if we do a comprehensive treatment for my hypothyroidism? Trying to avoid everything that harms me and making sure I take enough iodine. I know that I will have to take great care of what I eat and relax. That is going to be difficult! And well, doctor, if all that weren’t enough, I have you and I fully trust you. Perhaps thyroid hormone replacement therapy should be considered, right?

The final stretch of the consultation arrives and of course he has convinced me: I think he has primary hypothyroidism, I ask for an analysis to verify it and, indeed, days later, the diagnosis is confirmed. Can you imagine that all the patients were so in love with their diseased organs?

The brain needs thyroid hormone

Mild or subclinical hypothyroidism is frequent, especially in women: around 10% of the population. And it increases up to 20% in women over 45 years of age. And even more at advanced ages.

In addition to physiological symptoms, hypothyroidism affects the brain Because it preferentially uses thyroid hormone and is very sensitive to its decrease, even before other organs, mood disorders appear.

Other psychiatric disorders, like bipolar disorder and more rarely psychosis, they also show a functional deficit of the thyroid.

Hormone treatment: when is it appropriate?

A small percentage of people with mild hypothyroidism may eventually develop clinical hypothyroidism.. In those cases, opting for a hormonal treatment will depend on whether there are symptoms or not.

If there are only changes in the analysis, but the person is well, the treatment may not be necessary.

It is worth considering, since thyroid hormone treatment can have effects on the heart in the form of arrhythmias; on the bones, where it can cause osteoporosis, or produce metabolic disturbances, including increased cholesterol and anemia.

5 habits that help your thyroid

What habits and tips can help us take care of our thyroid?

1. That there is no lack of iodine

It takes about 150 grams daily and 80% is achieved with food. Iodine is eliminated through the urine, so it is important to replenish this mineral through the diet: iodized salt, seaweed, chard, spinach and arugula are good sources of iodine. Also, fennel is an excellent thyroid stimulant.

2. Limit “goitrogens”

Goitrogens (foods that produce an increase in gland volume) decrease thyroid function, since they prevent the absorption of iodine. Some examples are: cabbage, sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower, although once cooked they can be taken because the substances that inhibit their absorption disappear with cooking.

Radishes, onions, walnuts, peanuts, figs, grapes, citrus fruits, peaches and melons should also be avoided. And finally, bread or any type of food that contains wheat flour.

3. Take care of the intestine

All autoimmune pathologies are gestated in the intestine, since 70% of the immune system is found there. We must avoid everything that inflames it: pesticides, processed foods, heavy metals, dairy products, sugars, chlorinated and fluoridated waters, proteins of animal origin, as well as excess gluten and soy.

4. Make sure the micronutrients

Vitamin A, very beneficial for hypothyroidism, is found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach; zinc, in pumpkin seeds, watermelon, and dark chocolate; and selenium, in lentils, peas and sunflower seeds.

5. Avoid chronic stress

Relaxation, rest, meditation, relaxation techniques and pleasurable activities (dancing, painting…) prevent adrenal fatigue and excess stress hormones.