Depressed, Tired & Overweight: Is It You Or Your Thyroid?

Content updated from previous publish date. Are you struggling with low moods? Do you feel fatigued all the time? Are you trying to lose weight but can’t seem to drop the pounds despite eating a healthy diet? It could be due to a thyroid problem. Normal and healthy thyroid hormone levels are essential for optimal brain and body health. Low thyroid function, called hypothyroidism, can cause many physical and mental problems including depression, fatigue, poor memory, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and more.   Low thyroid function, called hypothyroidism, can cause many physical and mental problems including depression, fatigue, poor memory, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and more.

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WHAT IS THE THYROID GLAND?

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in your lower neck. Although it is small, it has a big impact on the health of your brain and body. This gland produces three main thyroid hormones—thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), T3, and T4. They are among the most important neurohormones in the human body. Thyroid hormones are involved in regulating how your body uses energy. It also has a strong impact on the brain because it controls the production of many neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, and GABA. For optimal brain and body function, these three thyroid hormones must be produced in the proper balance. Problems develop when thyroid dysfunction causes hormonal imbalances in which the gland to produce too little hormone (hypothyroidism) or too much hormone (hyperthyroidism).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM

Patients with low thyroid function, even if it’s not severe, can have problems with mood, cognitive function, and memory loss. Patients with depression tend to have higher rates of hypothyroidism than those of the general population. Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Depression
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight gain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Impaired memory
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Puffy face
• Hoarseness
• Muscle weakness
• Elevated blood cholesterol level
• Muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness
• Pain, stiffness, or swelling in your joints
• Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
• Thinning hair
• Slowed heart rate

HYPOTHYROIDISM IS HIGHLY UNDERDIAGNOSED

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common diseases in the world. It is more prevalent than hyperthyroidism and more widespread than people—including many in the medical field—think it is. Current research shows that nearly 5 out of every 100 people ages 12 and up in the U.S. suffer from hypothyroidism. According to the American Thyroid Association, thyroid problems are 5-8 times more likely to occur in women than in men, and 1 in 8 women will develop a thyroid disorder during their lifetime. Even more alarming is the fact that up to 7% of the United States population has undiagnosed hypothyroidism, according to a 2021 study. There are several reasons for the high level of underdiagnosis. Low awareness of the disorder is one issue, which results in many people mistakenly attributing their symptoms to some other condition. The biggest problem, however, is the fact that there are inconsistencies in how thyroid levels are tested. Three are 5 blood tests that may be used in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism:

• TSH
• T4
• T3
• Free T3
• Reverse T3

The American Thyroid Association offers a more comprehensive look at each of these tests. Many physicians, however, use just one or two tests, which may not provide an accurate picture of thyroid health.

WHY IS HYPOTHYROIDISM SO COMMON?

There are many factors contributing to the prevalence of hypothyroidism, many of which are environmental. Of the three main types of thyroid hormones, T-3 is by far the most important active thyroid hormone in the body. However, in order to make active T-3 the body has to convert inactive T-4 via an enzyme process, and therein lies the problem. It turns out that this enzyme process is highly susceptible to interference from a variety of things. Factors that inhibit thyroid production include but are not limited to:

• Excess stress and cortisol production
• Deficiencies in vitamins B12 and B9, iron, ferritin, iodine, or selenium
• Deficient protein, excess sugar
• Chronic illness
• Compromised liver or kidney function
• Cadmium, mercury, or lead toxicity
• Herbicides and pesticides
• Oral contraceptives
• Excessive estrogen production
• Damage to the pituitary gland, often due to head injuries

EFFECTIVE, NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR HYPOTHYROIDISM

Strategies that promote healthy neurohormone function include:

• Limit anything that hurts your hormones.
• Avoid endocrine disruptors, such as pesticides and other toxins.
• Support healthy hormones with exercise, adequate sleep, a healthy diet, and stress management.
• Take nutraceuticals, such as l-tyrosine, zinc, iodine, and ashwagandha extract, which support thyroid function.

If you’re coping with depression, mood issues, fatigue, or unexplained weight gain, it may be time to check your thyroid levels. Even if your doctor has told you your thyroid tests are “normal,” your signs and symptoms may still point to low thyroid function and need to be evaluated more closely. Depression, fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.