Do you see every sting, tingling, bump, cramp, or itch as evidence that something is seriously wrong with you? Good news:it's usually not that bad.
What do you think is bothering you?
A slow thyroid gland.
Why you believe it
You have gained four kilos in the past few months while you do not eat more than usual. And you are so tired and lethargic.
Is your suspicion correct?
As you get older, your thyroid slows down a bit. This ensures that you gain weight a little more easily, but usually you also eat a little less. If it really is your thyroid, gaining weight or having difficulty losing weight are not the only symptoms. Hair loss and being cold are also part of it, as are fatigue and depressive feelings. To get an indication of the functioning of your thyroid, your doctor can perform a test that measures how much thyroid hormone your body produces.
You can also do something yourself:measure your body temperature. Normally your body temperature is 37 degrees (in the afternoon). Take your temperature on three consecutive days at the same time. If your temperature is lower than 36.5 degrees, it could mean that your thyroid is really working too slowly.
What else could it be? Weight gain is usually a sign that you are eating too much (or drinking too much alcohol) in relation to your exercise pattern. If you sit all day and don't exercise much, you can quickly eat too much (or drink alcohol). Keeping a food diary can be very enlightening. Use of medication (corticosteroids) can also cause you to gain weight.
What helps? If it's your thyroid, your doctor may prescribe a thyroid hormone supplement. Iodine-rich food can support.
Read more
Which diseases have you correctly or incorrectly diagnosed yourself with by Googling? You can read more about a number of 'popular' conditions from page 33 in the July issue, so that you can see if your concerns are justified and it is time to see a real medical specialist.
