Are Your Signs of Aging Really a Thyroid Problem?

The thyroid is located around our windpipe near the Adam's apple of the neck. It is a gland shaped like a butterfly. The thyroid produces hormones that help keep our metabolism going at full steam therefore helping us burn calories more efficiently. Low thyroid is also known as 'hypothyroidism ". It can cause more problems than unwanted weight gain. Low Thyroid has been associated with higher levels of bad cholesterol and heart problems.

Early on the signs of a low thyroid can go unnoticed. One of the first symptoms you may notice is trouble sleeping. Many people have problems sleeping when they age; so many times this symptom goes unnoticed as being related to underactive thyroid. Another symptom of low thyroid is unexplained weight gain.

Again if the weight gain is not dramatic most of us, assume it is just due to the aging process and do not think to look at our thyroid. The last early symptom of hypothyroidism to go unnoticed is fatigue. Again with our busy life style we tend to see some fatigue is normal. Still any change in how we feel no matter how small calls for us to find out the root cause. For many of us we will find that our thyroid is low. It is estimated that low thyroid effects up to 20% of adults at some point during their lifetime. Thyroid gland regulates metabolism menstrual periods, weight, skin, hair, and sex drive, are just a few of the things that depend on your thyroid to function correctly. Your heavy menstrual cycle may also be a result of a low thyroid. Women need to understand that many female "issues" are not a result simply of your aging reproductive system

Other symptoms of low thyroid, we tend to blame on age or menopause; are hair loss, depression, constipation, and problems with memory. Many women during peri-menopause blame depression and memory problems on the change of life. The reality is that women are more like to have low thyroid than men, so a women should have her thyroid checked when she goes for her well women exam.

The thyroid produces hormones; levothyroxine (T4) and L'triiodothyronine (T3); these hormones contain iodine. It is known that proper thyroid function requires B-Vitamin compounds, zinc, iodine, copper, and manganese. Most adults do not have thyroid due to nutritional deficiency. This is why iodized salt is an important part of our modern diet. Adults with hypothyroidism are often treated with synthetic thyroid at an amount to bring their thyroid up to a normal level of functioning. There are some natural formulas that claim to correct thyroid function, but since for most people it is not related to diet, these formulas tend to be a waste of money. Synthetic thyroid prescribed by your physician; after they have taken a blood test to measure how deficient your thyroid is most common and effective treatment.

If you have noticed slight weight, fatigue, or a heavier menstrual cycle talk to your doctor about getting a simple thyroid test. Correcting a low thyroid can help make your attempts at weight loss and improve your overall disposition

Sources: http://www.womentowomen.com/hypothyroidism/default.aspx

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/08/health/08hypo.html

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/testsforthyroid/a/isityourthyroid.htm