Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormones. This slows down the metabolism of the body, leading to symptoms such as always feeling cold, fatigue and easily putting on weight. Your thyroid gland makes two hormones: thyroxine (also called T4) and triiodothyronine (also called T3). Together, these hormones regulate your body's growth and metabolism. Your metabolism is how quickly your body uses resources to create energy and how quickly this happens in the body. It affects lots of things, including how much you weigh and how much you sleep. It is quite difficult to get your GP to diagnose this condition; this is because today GPs mainly rely on blood tests to diagnose their patients. Before the use of blood testing Doctors would use the pinch method where they would gently pinch your skin at top of your arms also taking your temperature on waking, before you start moving about, gives a good indication. If your body temperature is below 37 Centigrade is another clue. Hypothyroidism can go undiagnosed for a lifetime. You may have a GP that is aware of the symptoms, if not do your own research, and present it to your GP, to see what they make of your findings. Treatment used to be taking natural Thyroid extract; today we are given synthetic treatments which do not work as good as the natural form of Thyroid extract. There is lots of information about Hypothyroidism on the Internet, investigate this for yourself and If you feel you have the symptoms, go to your GP and get yourself checked out, armed with the knowledge you have acquired..I found a book called "Hypothyroidism Type 2" by Mark Starr, M.D. very enlightening.
