Your endocrine system is made up of 8 major glands throughout your body which make the 20 major hormones that govern many aspects of your health. Hormones are the chemical messengers in the body that travel through the blood stream to complete specific jobs or task, like assisting or governing ones metabolism and digestion, growth and repair as well as blood circulation & body temperature and if that wasn’t enough they are also responsible for reproduction, sexual function, moods & emotions!!
There are many factors that influence how well these messengers are working in the body such as over or under secretion, blood circulation, nutrition such as specific vital vitamins & minerals to support, produce and maintain this networking system.
When there is an imbalance in the body’s natural innate system this is expressed through some form of dysfunction, impaired performance or disease, the two most common dysfunctions in the endocrine system is with the thyroid and the pancreas or better known as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism with the later one being most common, and involving the pancreas there is both Diabetes type 1 & 2.
Here we will cover the Thyroid hypothyroidism while we will cover the rest later in a follow up blog.
Underactive thyroid or better known as hypothyroidism is an ever increasing problem in todays society with many of the signs and symptoms being present in an individuals profile well before diagnoses. Some of these signs and symptoms include:
Hypothyroidism
- Fatigue, loss of energy, lethargy
- Weight gain, Decreased appetite
- Cold intolerance, Dry skin
- Hair loss, or thinning hair
- Sleepiness, Muscle or joint pain,
- Depression
- Forgetfulness,poor memory, lack concentrate
- Puffiness, Constipation
- Impaired fertility
- Decreased perspiration
- Blurred vision , Decreased hearing
- Fullness in the throat, hoarseness
Hypothyroidism Autoimmune
- Hypothermia
- Weight gain, Dry skin
- Slowed speech and movements
- Jaundice or Pallor
- Coarse, brittle, straw-like hair
- Loss of scalp hair, bodily hair,
- Dull facial expression, Coarse facial features
- Goitre, Hoarseness
- Decreased systolic blood pressure and increased diastolic blood pressure
- Bradycardia or very low heart pump action
The best way to have your thyroid checked is by your GP or specialist as they will complete a blood test, and give you feedback on where your thyroid is functioning against the normal standardised rates. These test results are key when consulting with your nutritional therapist as we can use your results in assessing your bodies overall nutritional profile through an initial consultation and support the necessary systems, organs and functions through diet, lifestyle choice and supplementation. If you haven’t had your thyroid checked and believe you have some of the signs and symptoms listed above you can complete a simple test at home to give you an indication or more clarity on whether or not you should consult on the matter.
Taking your Basal Metabolic test
1. Shake down the thermometer to below 35 ‘C and place it by your bed before going to sleep at night.
2. On waking, place the thermometer in your armpit for a full 10 minutes or if using a digital thermometer for 1 minute. Lying and resting with your eyes closed is best. Do not get up until this time is completed.
3. Please read and record the temperature and date in the space provided below.
4. Record your temperature reading for 10 consecutive days (preferably at the same time of day) and give the information to your consulting Nutritionist/Naturopath.
Menstruating women must perform the test on Day 2 or 3 of their menstruation, as ovulation (around day 14) raises the body temperature and will give a false result. If you develop a cold/flu or infection please discontinue the test as this may also give a false result. Men and post-menopausal women can perform the test at any time.
INTERPRETATION
Your Basal Body Temperature should be between 36.5 ‘C-36.8 ‘C. Low Basal Body Temperatures are quite common and may reflect hypothyroidism or a susceptibility to the condition and should prompt a visit your GP to clarify. Note that your profile can be reviewed buy an qualified and registered Nutritional therapist and a dietary and nutritional protocol can be designed to support your nutritional needs if susceptibly is evident or if in fact you are diagnosed. We then work alongside your GPs recommendations to naturally support your natural innate system back to a more balanced terrain.
High Basal Body Temperatures (above 37oC) are less common, but may be evidence of Hyperthyroidism. Common sign and symptoms are: bulging eyeballs, fast pulse, hyperactivity, inability to gain weight, insomnia, anxiety and nervousness.
Either way it is best to have a blood test completed to be specific, take your basil metabolic test as specifically outlined and email the results onto your nutritional therapist to assist you and your nutritional needs and concerns.
Fill in an initial Nutritional therapy questionnaire today and receive feedback regarding current health profile and how nutritional and functional medicine can support your health needs.