Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that produces thyroid hormone. This hormone regulates how other organs in your body function along with regulating your body temperature and giving your body energy. If you have an underactive thyroid, you are considered to be hypothyroid. It is likely that your body is suffering and you may experience symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, irritability and depression. Many individuals may also notice extreme hair loss. While having an underactive thyroid can impair your life, there are ways to cope and make life more enjoyable.
Instructions
1. Find a doctor. This step is probably the hardest especially since doctors vary in their methods of treating hypothyroid patients. Since there has been controversy about what TSH level is constituted as normal, many doctors go by the old scale, which describes those with a TSH of .5 or below as hyperthyroid and those with a TSH above 5 as hypothyroid. The new recommendations are .3 as hyperthyroid to 3 as hypothyroid and many individuals say they feel best when their TSH is around 1 to 2.
2. Insist on getting blood work done. Don’t just get the TSH level checked. Instead, make sure they test for thyroid antibodies, Free T3 and Free T4. These tests will give you an idea of where you stand and whether your thyroid is the problem.
3. Communicate with your doctor. If your doctor prescribes thyroid hormone for you, it is important to keep your doctor informed about your progress. You may not notice an immediate improvement in your condition. However, if 4 weeks pass and you don’t see an improvement, let your doctor know because this might mean your condition is under-treated.
4. Find support groups. Dealing with a thyroid problem can be difficult. You may experience highs and lows until you are receiving your optimal treatment. Find a support group where you can discuss your thyroid condition and see how others have coped. Online forums are a great tool to do this.
5. Exercise. Set aside time to go to the gym or participate in some form of exercise. This can be taking an aerobics class or merely going for a long walk every day. Not only will the exercise help you lose weight but it will also help improve your mood.
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