Symptoms Of A Low Thyroid Function And Iodine/Selenium Deficiency

A low thyroid function has specific causes, yet the symptoms of this condition are numerous and can be mistaken for symptoms of other disorders, including psychological syndromes. Also, as an individual you might experience and describe your signs of a low thyroid in a unique way that can confuse the issue.

To add to this, a blood test may show that your thyroid hormones are low, but still considered in a normal range, not requiring drug therapy. If this is the case, while frustrating for you, you are lucky, because remedying a couple of simple nutritional deficiencies may return you to a true 'normal'. Review the following symptoms typically associated with a hypothyroid condition:

• difficulty losing weight


• tired all the time


• moodiness


• hair loss


• loose skin


• depression


• aching muscles


• feeling cold


• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome


• lack of libido


• sore joints


• memory loss


• difficulty concentrating

It is easy to see why this 'low normal' thyroid function can be difficult to figure out. If you are over forty, you may be told that your natural aging process has started. If your dominant symptom is depression, for example, you may be prescribed psychiatric drugs. These will for certain not help your thyroid hormones get up to par. And so on and so on with each symptom - a dominant symptom can be assigned to the wrong diagnosis.

Nutritional factors can be explored here. It is common knowledge that an iodine deficiency can be responsible for a sluggish thyroid gland. Yet, iodine is only part of the nutrition required to manufacture thyroid hormones. If you are deficient in other minerals like selenium, copper, and zinc, and the amino acid L-Tyrosine, just taking some iodine won't help to completely remedy the situation.

L-Tyrosine is an interesting amino acid. It is involved in the production of mood elevating neurotransmitters and adrenaline. If you are under constant stress, your L-Tyrosine will get used up producing adrenaline, and as a result will not be available in the quantity your body needs to produce your thyroid hormones.

One body system can function then, but another will be compromised. The good news is, that by introducing some simple supplements into your diet, you can target one area, such as your thyroid, and other aspects of your health will benefit as well.

Think of the chain reaction you can create by getting your thyroid up to normal. Imagine having more energy, healthier skin and hair, a healthy libido, and the sense of well being resulting from those few factors. You might feel more like working out and that can result in strong muscles, more fat burning, and slower aging.

Thyroid function affects your heart health, your cholesterol levels and your homocysteine levels. Also, extremely important, this in turn improves the lining of your blood vessels and prevents blood clots.

The content of selenium in our foods depends on the soil the foods grow in. This is very inconsistent from one agricultural area to another. Even if we know the selenium endowed areas of the world, our foods are not all tagged with their origins. It is the same with iodine. It is low in most diets, though traces are found in seafoods. Sadly our seafoods are so polluted now that we cannot eat them every day.