Energy is the backbone of life.  All systems in your body need energy to function properly.  How you produce and distribute energy is complex; thyroid hormone function has a major impact on all of your energy systems.  However, not all fatigue or tiredness is due to thyroid malfunction.  How do you tell the difference?

Energy is the backbone of life.  All systems in your body need energy to function properly.  How you produce and distribute energy is complex; thyroid hormone function has a major impact on all of your energy systems.  However, not all fatigue or tiredness is due to thyroid malfunction.  How do you tell the difference?

Thyroid hormone governs the basal metabolic rate, which is like the idling speed of a car engine.  Even when you are sitting in a chair or sleeping your 100 trillion cells keep making energy.  This type of energy production is the foundation for all other energy and hormonal systems.  If it is not up to par, no other system in your body works as well as it should. 

When you step on the gas pedal during the day, this is not thyroid hormone that goes into action.  Increased activity of any kind is controlled by adrenaline, muscle activity, increased calorie burning, and an increased speed at which your cells make energy.  If you have a sluggish thyroid you may still be able to make yourself have the energy to do things based on adrenaline-driven necessity.  You may also notice that you have too much reliance on stimulants such as caffeine, sugar, or cigarettes. 

A demanding day may deplete muscles of fuel and induce enough wear and tear so that natural tiredness follows.  Such fatigue is normal and why we need to sleep.  Even pushing it day after day and cutting sleep short may not be a thyroid problem.  However, such a poor lifestyle is pushing your system and you may eventually develop a thyroid problem as a result.  Getting less than seven hours of sleep per night is asking for trouble.

Thyroid-related fatigue starts to show up when you cannot sustain energy long enough, especially when compared to a past level of fitness or ability.  If the thyroid foundation is weak, sustaining energy output is difficult.  You will notice you just don’t seem to have the energy to do the things you used to be able to do. 

The menstrual cycle, pregnancy, exercise, stress, and physical demands are all examples of increased energy demands requiring increased energy output.  Thus, PMS is almost always a thyroid problem to a degree.  The increased energy demands of the menstrual cycle are simply too much, partly due to an underlying thyroid weakness.  Pregnancy is always a major test of the thyroid, as one’s thyroid is called upon to do metabolic work for two bodies.  This is why thyroid issues often flare up during or following pregnancy. 

Thyroid hormone is synergistic with growth hormone in muscles, and when these two are working properly together then muscles feel fit.  Exercise conditions thyroid hormone to work properly to assist general energy production and a lack of exercise contributes to poor thyroid function.  The more fit your muscles feel, the less likely thyroid-related fatigue will be an issue for you.  If you have poor thyroid function you frequently feel like you don’t have the energy to exercise and usually don’t on a consistent basis.  Muscle weakness is a classic hypothyroid symptom.

One of the key symptoms of thyroid fatigue is a heavy or tired head, especially in the afternoon.  Thyroid hormone activity is regulated differently in the brain than anywhere else in the body, as brain cells themselves convert T4 to T3 (active thyroid hormone).  Your head is a very sensitive indicator of thyroid hormone status.  This is different than low blood sugar symptoms from not having eaten for a while.  The head just feels sluggish or tired, lacking clarity or sharpness.  When this head tiredness occurs too many hours in the day then you will feel like you want to sleep all the time and you will feel depressed, signs of more advanced thyroid-related fatigue.

Another key sign of thyroid fatigue is conking out as soon as you sit down and don’t actually have to do something (there is no necessity making you have to do something).  In this case it feels like your body is a car idling too slowly at a stop sign and it just stalls and goes to sleep.  This is a clear sign of thyroid fatigue.

You either do or don’t have the symptoms of thyroid-related fatigue.  If you wake up energized, maintain decent energy throughout the day, are able to maintain mental alertness/sharpness, have energy as needed to meet demands, and your muscles feel fit, you do not have thyroid-related fatigue.  The more you don’t feel this way, the greater the problem.  No lab test is needed.  In many cases thyroid lab tests may still be normal, even though you clearly are not.  The symptoms tell the story and they never lie.

I’ve had an up and down energy level for most of my adult life (now age 48). Have taken supplements and tried many diets to combat hypoglycemic symptoms, inability to concentrate, a slow weight gain (now +30 pounds) and a lack of stamina (sometimes severe), with mixed results. A few weeks ago found the basics of the 5 Rules on the ‘net and started following them, though couldn’t eat just 3 times/day. Now have bought the ML book, the multi, thyroid, and iodine supplements, and my energy level rose the next day, besides losing a few pounds easily. It’s only been a few days but I feel great and can work all day plus on home projects instead of sitting in front of the TV. Have even managed to eat 3 meals a day twice so far, something I haven’t done maybe ever. Who knew that snacking and eating the wrong foods could mess up the metabolism so much? Why I haven’t heard one word about leptin until now… where is the media? A zillion thanks to Byron and Mary for their work.

I am wondering what can you do if you have a thyroid problem to fix it? I have had a thyroid problem for years and I am on Armor thyroid everyday but I feel my thyroid is still not working properly. Thanks

Penny:  Great start, keep hanging in there.  You will find as time goes along that you continue to improve and develop better “eating fitness,” meaning your liver will get back in shape and sustain your energy properly between meals by orchestrating calorie burning in a more efficient manner - which of couse enables healthy weight loss.

Kdjsou:  Thyroid problems are multifaceted and different for each person, though there are many common features.  I will be posting a lot of information that will help you to see what issues are most likely troublespots for you.  Basic thyroid support nutrition is Thyroid Helper, Iosol Iodine, and Daily Energy Multiple Vitamin (co-enzyme B vitamins and krebs cycle bionutrients), a great starting point for just about anyone.

If I take these supplements, do I still take my Armor thyroid with them or graduall wean off of the Armor thyroid? Thanks

Debbie:
You may take these supplements with thyroid medication.  The supplements contain no thyroid hormone.  They work, in part, by providing nutrition that is used by your body to activate thyroid hormone. 

Gradually weaning off any medication should be done under the guidance of your physician.

Why is it so hard to find a doctor who will prescribe Armour Thyroid? I have found no one in my area who will put me on this. I have been on the normal Synthroid and have been gaining weight for over 14 years. It all started after my daughter was born in 1992. Today I am 180+ pounds in a 5 foot 2 inch body and it is just to much weight. I just ordered your meds and I hope they work. I am so tired all the time, cold. I wanted to know about anti-depressants. I take 2 different kinds of them and want to know if it is ok that I take your meds to??? I also take fish oil and several other herbal supplements. Are they safe to take with the supplements you have or should I stop them while I take the ones I ordered from you?
Please let me know the best way to take advantage of the results you say your supplements provide. I need someone who will finally listen. Thank you so much.

Denise Porter

Denise:  Traditional doctors don’t like Armour because the dose varies from batch to batch, even when the label potency remains the same.  If this is your doctor’s concern, ask them for a 1 year supply, this way the prescription you fill will be the same potency all year. 

You may take other supplements along with Wellness Resources products.  There is no reason you can’t use Wellness Resources supplements with the meds you have listed.

Pregnancy is a real test of both the leptin and thyroid systems in your body, a common turning point in health.  You can get this back on track – it does take a little work.  Be sure to follow the Leptin Diet along with the nutrients.

After years of taking synthroid, the physician I am seeing has reduced the dose by half, since he fears that the synthroid is causing heart problems and bone density problems, also my vitamin D was very low. I walk my dog twice a day for half hour each day year around, so it is not due to lack of sun exposer. What is your understanding of any problem with taking synthroid over several years?

I have been on ATD’s for 9 months to try to regulate my thyroid (Graves). I was feeling better a month ago when my TSH was around 3.5 We reduced my dose by 2.5 mg and I have been progressively feeling worse.  I have more days with a heavy head, off balance, fatigue.  Do you have any advice? I’m not sure if I’m feeling this way because my levels are in flux or too high/low?
Thanks,
Erin

I went on Armour 7 years ago.  It helped for while, then I slid back. I am 125 pounds overweight have tried everything.  Whatever I do my body compensates.  The rules have helped my insomnia. 

I go to the gym a few times a week, but that’s it.  I have no energy and life feels like living and moving in wet cement.  Sometimes I have a good day but they are few. 

The biggest challenge is I am so hot all the time and I sweat constantly.  Sitting next to me is like sitting next to a heater.  I am NEVER cold.  Adrenal support has done little to help.  My temp is usually between 97 to 98.  My doctor says this is because my metabolism works so hard to maintain.  Is there a supplement that would cool me off??