Are you Hypothyroid?

As many of you know, I am indeed Hypothyroid. A big part of why I am currently detoxing is to help me feel better as I combat this disease. I have not mentioned much in my blog about the condition, other than noting that I have it and am battling the disease in a big way right now. I usually don't go too deep into the details because when I do it forces me to face some especially scary and non-t0-pleasant realities that come along with it. Everyday it seems that this disease is becoming more and more prominent and common in our society, but its "commonality" does not make it any less real or frustrating for the person(s) dealing with it day in and out.

A friend of mine recently lent me a book called "Feeling Fat, Fuzzy or Frazzled?" by Richard Shames, MD and Karilee Shames PhD, RN (thanks, Kristen!) and while I have not finished reading it yet, I have found some portions to be pretty interesting. I have done a good bit of reading on thyroid conditions in the past but have been intrigued by the way this book encourages people to evaluate themselves and work proactively to figure out what is going on inside of their own body (much like a naturopath does with their patients - promoting self awareness). The book actually provides brief quizzes to help people evaluate themselves for thyroid conditions, adrenal issues, etc. I took the "Could you be LOW Thyroid?" quiz just for kicks and, of course, passed it with flying colors. Here it is if you would like to test yourself along with some of my commentary. (Please note that this quiz simply outlines common symptoms of the disease, but by no means addresses the extent of harm that can come to your body if left untreated or if improperly treated -- infertility, lupus, diabetes, muscle fatigue, etc.)

Could You Be LOW Thyroid? Do You Have the Following?
1. Problems with weight (very easy to gain, or extremely hard to lose, despite sensible food intake AND good exercise)?
Always a battle.

2. Problems with body temperature (feeling chilly when others don't OR cold feet and/or hands OR needing to wear socks to bed OR having to dress in layers during the day OR decreased sweating OR slow to heat up with exercise)?
With the exception of when I was pregnant, I am usually freezing - especially my hands and feet.

3. Problems with RATE of body processes (decreased reaction time OR slowed reflexes OR sluggish bowel/constipation OR sluggish liver/high cholesterol)?
A doctor once hit my knee with a reflex hammer and it took multiple seconds (like 5 or more) before my reflex kicked in. She was astonished.

4. Problems with ENERGY (severe fatigue OR utterly exhausted by end of day OR times during day when energy drops out completely, feeling like the plug is pulled on your energy)?
YES YES YES.

5. Problems with MOOD (depression OR negative thinking OR less than full improvement taking antidepressants)?
Just ask my husband!

6. Problems with SKIN (adult acne OR eczema OR very dry skin OR puffiness/bags around the eyes)?
Yes. And living in a very dry climate does not help.

7. Problems with HAIR (very dry like straw OR brittle OR easily breaking OR easily falling out OR loss of outer eyebrows)?
My hair falls out a lot - good thing I have a lot of it!

8. Problems with NAILS (brittle OR thin OR cracked OR peeling)?

9. Problems with THROAT or NECK (hoarseness for no reason OR difficulty swallowing OR easily choking OR think tongue, frequently bitten OR intolerance to clothing/jewelry snug around neck)?
Ever hear me say that I hate my throat/neck or that I am not very comfortable in turtle-necks?

10. Exercise does not feel good OR muscle mass/strength does not improve with exercise?
My muscle mass stays the same no matter how much I exercise.