Why Sub-Clinical Hypothyroidism Is A Problem
Have you ever gone to the doctor with all the symptoms of hypothyroidism and are told your labs are “normal?” What if they were technically normal but not exactly optimal? That’s called sub-clinical hypothyroidism and it too can cause a whole host of problems.
When your thyroid is sub-clinical, it means it is able to function but not at its best. Imagine you after 8 hours of good solid sleep versus 4 hours of interrupted sleep. You’re still considered normal, just not optimal.
Women with lower thyroid (but not all out low) tend to have symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, dry hair and skin, hair thinning or loss, cracked/weak nails, constipation, and muscle and joint pains. Additionally, cholesterol markers start to turn for the worse while triglycerides start to clime. Heart contractility decreases and the risk for atherosclerosis increases. There is increased risk for depression, miscarriage, menstrual irregularities such as longer days between periods, long periods or heavy periods.
All these symptoms are the same for full-blow hypothyroidism, just not as severe. For example, your cholesterol might be elevated, but not as elevated as if you were fully hypothyroid.
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Dr. Jones,
Thank you SO much for this post. I had my thyroid checked and was told it was in the "normal" range, yet I have nearly all the symptoms you describe. I don't have my actual numbers but I will check with my doctor and discuss them with her.
So many of the symptoms of perimenopause are the same as symptoms of hypothyroidism that it's a little difficult to know where to begin. So thank you again for this advice.
Thank you for this VERY helpful info. I have been in denial about having hypothyroidism and not taking meds because my levels were so close to the upper range. Now, if the upper range is actually lower, I can see that I really do have a problem. I just had another lab test so I'll take the results more seriously.
How should someone with this condition treat themselves?
Follow-up on my ealier post: My thyroid tests are very normal now. This is very confusing since I'm not on any thyroid meds anymore. Happy but confused...