We all know stress; you hear the word thrown around a lot nowadays. We know the toll it can take on even the healthiest bodies — but can you imagine what it can do to those of us with preexisting health issues? While stress alone cannot cause hypothyroidism, it may definitely exacerbate the problem.
The adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, are responsible for producing hormones that help regulate blood pressure, immunity, and metabolism — among other functions.
They are also responsible for releasing cortisol (stress hormone) in response to the level of stress you are experiencing. High levels of cortisol affect your body’s metabolism, impacting your thyroid hormones levels , leading to symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Dry skin
- Muscle Weakness
- Cold extremities
- Hair loss
- Depression
- Anxiety
- High cholesterol
- Acne
- Brittle nails
- Swelling
- Fat pads above the clavicle
- low libido
Managing your stress levels is imperative to maintain proper thyroid function. While some of these symptoms may exist under normal circumstances or in unrelated cases, high stress levels would worsen any underlying health issues you may have.
The first step toward managing your potential hypothyroidism is a consultation with your Naturopathic Doctor — allowing us to investigate your thyroid function by reviewing your health history, conducting a physical examination, and most importantly, listening to your story for us to get the full picture.
The next step is to utilize Laboratory testing to assess thyroid function and rule out Hashimoto’s or Graves’ Disease.
To start, we conduct comprehensive thyroid testing through a blood test that measures TSH, Free T3, Free T4, thyroid antibodies, and Reverse T3.
Based on test results, your Naturopathic doctor will put together an individualized plan to help you manage your low thyroid function by tackling the root cause.
That said, what do we do if the root cause is primarily high stress level?
Click here for some stress management tips to get your adrenal health back on track!
At Vitalia Healthcare, we take a whole-body approach when addressing a thyroid condition. There are many systems in the body that can affect how you feel — We analyze all the different systems that are relevant to you and your situation.
The symptoms you are experiencing are not something you need to live with, our personalized plan will help you address those symptoms, balance your hormones, and usher you toward achieving your optimal health!
Click here to book an appointment now!
Dr Tasreen Alibhai, ND
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/hypothyroidism/stress-and-your-thyroid#Stress-and-hypothyroidism
https://vitaliahealthcare.ca/vancouver-thyroid-center/
https://vitaliahealthcare.ca/blog/adrenal-health-restoration-guide/
