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Fatigue is a common symptom of numerous health conditions, isn’t it? If you have the flu – you will likely experience fatigue. If you have a cold, you may feel fatigued. If you have a sleep condition, such as sleep apnea, you can be left feeling a sense of fatigue. If you have been diagnosed with clinical depression – you are most likely going to have fatigue.
It is also a very common symptom among those with an underactive thyroid.
Surprised? You shouldn’t be.
Your thyroid is responsible for keeping so many of your body’s processes in check. When it is not working optimally, your body will become sluggish. This common thyroid condition affects many individuals – and many don’t even realize they have it!When you find yourself feeling fatigued – don’t dismiss it. There is a reason for your symptoms that is just waiting to be discovered.
Fatigue is one of those words that you hear often, but you don’t necessarily define. In general, it probably makes you think of someone being tired, inactive, lethargic, or slow. And, in fact, it is a vague medical description of all of these. In other words, it is when you aren’t feeling yourself and, instead, feeling incredibly exhausted. You will find yourself having a tough time sticking to your daily routine and completing your responsibilities while having to give the greatest amount of effort.
Your thyroid is a tiny, butterfly-shaped gland that is found in your neck – and is part of your body’s endocrine system. It stores and releases hormones that control the functioning of most areas in your body. Therefore, when it is not working as it should – or it is underactive – you will find a heap of side effects throughout the body.
The official term for an underactive thyroid is hypothyroidism. Someone with this thyroid condition will experience symptoms such as:
The thyroid releases its hormones into the bloodstream which then travels to all the major organs. When the rate of release is reduced, the decreased number of hormones slows down the body processes. This leaves your body incapable of functioning in its normal, healthy manner.
It is common for medical professionals to miss a thyroid diagnosis. As evidenced above, there are many symptoms that can mimic other medical conditions. For instance, depression may be mistaken for a mental health issue, rather than a symptom of hypothyroidism. And, your fatigue may be dismissed as lack of sleep or even a condition, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
If you are medically treated for the symptoms, you may miss your underlying condition. Understanding the importance of a correct diagnosis is key. You know your body best. If you feel that you and your symptoms are not being addressed appropriately, it is time to make some changes. Fatigue is a very common, but for many different reasons. Don’t let your symptom become generalized, swept under the rug, or dismissed.
In order to get rid of the sluggish, fatigue that follows you around each day, you have to discover why you have that symptom. It is not enough to just treat the fatigue itself without looking deeper to see where it is coming from.
Dr. Hansbrough and his team are experienced in getting to the root of health issues – and can help you do the same, too. If you want to get rid of fatigue and get back to feeling like your old self, then contact us today. We will work with you to discover where your fatigue comes from. Or, if you have previously been diagnosed with a thyroid condition and would like to rid yourself of always feeling tired, we can help with that, as well.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/pensive-woman-looking-at-window-3769012/
