Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Weight Gain... Could Your Thyroid Be The Problem?

The thyroid gland is located in the front of your throat, and produces hormones that keep your body energized, warm, and boost your metabolism.

If your thyroid gland cannot produce enough thyroid hormone (a condition called hypothyroidism), you will start to feel fatigued, sluggish, cold, and are likely to gain weight more easily. These symptoms can look like the symptoms of depression, so it is important to have your thyroid function tested to determine whether that is a cause of the mood problems.

If your thyroid gland is over-producing thyroid hormone (a condition called hyperthyroidism), the result is feelings of nervousness, heart palpitations, excessive heat, and other symptoms that can be confused with the symptoms of an anxiety disorder. By testing your thyroid function, these conditions can be ruled out.

Because a thyroid imbalance can cause significant depression or anxiety, it is essential to rule out these conditions as an underlying cause of your symptoms. Your doctor can test your thyroid function with a simple blood test, and treat the imbalance with either synthetic or natural medicine.

Sometimes people have anxiety or depression for other reasons, and in addition, also have an underlying thyroid problem. If you are being treated for a thyroid imbalance and are still having symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, depression, or anxiety, talk to a doctor about other treatments or testing.

Thyroid support treatments can come in the form of prescription hormones, or natural thyroid support supplements. The treatment choices will depend on the severity of your thyroid imbalance, and the intensity of your symptoms. For people with mild thyroid hormone imbalances, natural supplements may be enough to get the thyroid gland functioning properly, and restore energy and a healthy metabolism.

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Tara Peyman is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in the state of Arizona, with an expertise in natural treatments for depression and anxiety. She has also developed comprehensive, naturopathic programs for weight loss, diabetes, and smoking cessation. She practices in Mesa (480.985.0000) and also in Tempe (480.456.0402). She offers free 15 minute consults over the phone or in the office. For more information, visit www.DrTaraPeyman.com.