PEOPLE’S PHARMACY: Symptoms suggest thyroid problem
Q: I am bone-tired all of the time. I also have really dry skin and dry, brittle hair and nails that break easily. (Even my toenails are brittle.) I take vitamins and fish oil every day as well as red yeast rice to try to control my high cholesterol. I asked my doctor if the problem could be linked to my thyroid. She ran a blood test for TSH and says it is OK. (It is just over 5.) Do you have any suggestions? It is really depressing to feel this fatigued!
A: Your TSH level suggests inadequate thyroid hormone. There is a controversy about what TSH levels are normal, but thyroid experts now believe the range is between 0.3 and 3.
High cholesterol, depression, fatigue and difficulty losing weight are all indicative of low thyroid. So are dry skin, brittle nails, thinning hair and eyebrows, heavy menstrual periods and constipation.
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist and Teresa Graedon is an expert in medical anthropology and nutrition. They can be reached at peoplespharmacy@gmail.com.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2011 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One comment Add your comment
laura price
September 20th, 2009
1:35 pm
dear question writer:
i have had thyroid problems for years and years that were not caught by my GP because my hormone levels fell in the normal range. go to an endocrinologist who will be able to give you more thorough testing. sometimes you’ll have things show up that are not looked for in baseline thyroid testing.
also, if you are able, if you don’t get good results with the first endocrinologist keep looking until you find one that is receptive to your symptoms. i’m still not all better – i was outrageously tired all the time and have several of the other symptoms you mentioned as well as joint problems and more, but i’m a little better. it takes a while to get the dosage correct, so be patient and make sure to find a doctor who doesn’t dismiss you.