Both conditions share similar symptoms, including chronic pain, fatigue, depression, brain fog and adrenal stress.
In our experience, many Fibro and Lupus sufferers, with symptoms including chronic pain, brain fog, sleep disturbances, increased thirst, bowel dysfunction, and/or persistent or recurrent infections or flu-like symptoms often suffer from Hypothyroidism.
What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is the disfunction of the thyroid. Fibro, on the other hand, involves the dysfunction or suppression of a master gland in the brain called the hypothalamus. This gland controls sleep, the hormonal system, temperature regulation, and the autonomic nervous system. Lupus relates to the malfunctioning of the immune system.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Fatigue;
- Increased sensitivity to cold;
- Constipation;
- Dry skin;
- Unexplained eight gain;
- Puffy face;
- Hoarseness;
- Muscle weakness;
- Elevated blood cholesterol level;
- Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness;
- Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints;
- Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods;
- Thinning hair;
- Slowed heart rate;
- Depression;
- Impaired memory; and
- Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter).
The Thyroid Connection – is it all About T4 or does T3 Play a Role?
Generally, thyroid function is measured using a TSH test that measures thyroid imbalance. This tests thyroid hormone deficiency function that is Hypothyroidism. Treatment generally involves addressing T4 (levothyroxine) levels. However, many Fibro sufferers display normal circulating thyroid hormone levels yet exhibit the symptoms and signs of Hypothyroidism.
Fibro sufferers often have normal TSH levels. If you have autoimmune Hypothyroidism, it’s fairly common to develop some classic Fibro symptoms such as muscle/joint pain, aches, and sleep disturbances.
Often, a “normal range” TSH level doesn’t show if there is enough circulating T3 (the active thyroid hormone at the cellular level, which is produced in part by the thyroid, and in part by conversion of T4 hormone to T3) to maintain normal metabolism in cells. Therefore, T4 to T3 conversion is often impaired meaning that the fact that Fibro sufferers return “normal” TSH level doesn’t mean tissue metabolism is normal.
What Does this All Mean?
Put simply, if you’re fighting Fibro or Lupus, you need to get your thyroid levels regularly … and not just your TSH levels (the standard test), your T3 and T4 levels as well!
Clinical research has revealed that TSH level don’t correlate with tissue metabolism. This is important because normalising tissue metabolism is at the core of Hypothyroid treatments. Typically, treatment protocols focus on T4. However, the most effective treatment is often centred on T3, T4 or both. T4-centric protocols are often suboptimal, particularly among Hypothyroid Fibro and Lupus sufferers with cellular resistance to thyroid hormone. Surprisingly, 44% of Fibro sufferers respond to a T3 protocol.
If you’re fighting Fibro or Lupus and suspect you have Hypothyroidism, contact Elixir today. We specialise in treating Fibro and Lupus and provide advice and information treating this debilitating condition. We develop patient-centred treatment protocols based largely on advanced nutrient therapies. We offer complementary phone consultations where we assess symptoms and recommend an individualised treatment protocol. So, if you or someone you know is fighting Fibro, contact Elixir today.
www.elixircompounding.com.au