I have a health condition that slows down my metabolism

I remember when the symptoms started- waking up suddenly in the middle of the night with my heart racing, my short-term memory rapidly declining, the brain fog and exhaustion, and bouts of extreme anger and depression. I attributed my symptoms to a combination of factors-a recent move to Montreal, lack of sleep, turning 30 years old, etc.

On a trip to my hometown of Winnipeg, I visited my family doctor for my yearly check-up. He informed me that I had subclinical hypothyroidism. I recall experiencing several emotions: confusion, devastation, and shock. As the middle of five children, I was always known as the "healthy" one. Since I was fifteen, I have made it a part of my daily lifestyle to work out three times weekly, avoid fast food, and incorporate as many nutritious foods as possible into my daily diet. I loved fitness so much that I opted out of working in the Criminal Justice system to become a personal trainer. I had been working as a personal trainer for three years at that point.

Confused, I asked my doctor, "How could this have happened to me?" He asked if I was experiencing more stress than usual. I reflected on the past year and a half. I had ended a four-year relationship, moved to an unfamiliar city where my job options were severely limited (due to my French-speaking abilities), and started a business where, at the time, I had limited connections and zero online presence. As I watched my savings dwindle and my debt increase, I found myself experiencing anxiety like never before. Inevitably, my stress levels manifested into physical symptoms. I was advised to follow up with my doctor again in three months and to "wait it out" before taking medication.

Three months later, I was informed by a doctor in Montreal that I had hypothyroidism and to begin taking medication. Even though I expected the news due to my worsening symptoms, I still had a small glimmer of hope to reverse it. On the bright side, my symptoms subsided once I started taking medication.

Here is a list of common symptoms that I experienced:

Depression

Anxiety and panic attacks

Brain fog

Exhaustion and wanting to sleep all the time

Trouble tolerating cold temperatures

Irritable/easily angered

Dry skin/thinning hair

Heavier and longer menstrual cycles

Heart palpitations

Muscle and joint weakness/stiffness

Loss of short-term memory

Trouble sleeping

Bloating (water retention)

Thin, brittle fingernails

Common Symtoms that I did not Experience:

Weight gain

Constipation

Irregular menstrual cycle

Thinning of the outside of the eyebrows

What is hypothyroidism and what does the thyroid do?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. It regulates metabolism by producing two main hormones: T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). These two hormones affect several processes within the human body, such as our mood, body temperature, digestion, heart rate, and more. Both hormones work together to regulate and produce dopamine and adrenaline hormones.

“Without a functioning thyroid, the body could not break down proteins and process carbohydrates and vitamins. For this reason, problems with this gland can lead to uncontrollable weight gain.” (M. Abid et al., 43) Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormones to meet your body’s needs.

I have hypothyroidism, now what?

Making changes to your nutrition and lifestyle is key when managing your diagnosis and trying to reduce symptoms.

Here is a list of foods/nutrients that you should add to your diet:

Iodine-rich foods include sea vegetables (Think seaweed, nori sheets, wakame, dulse, etc.) Hypothyroidism is often caused by a lack of iodine in the diet. Areas that are inland or mountainous often have iodine-deficient soil.

Foods high in selenium, such as Brazil nuts (a favorite of mine) and seafood.

Foods rich in zinc include pumpkin seeds, oysters, and hemp seeds. Zinc helps to synthesize thyroid hormones.

Foods rich in tyrosine, such as white beans, salmon, beef, and chicken. Tyrosine is an essential amino acid. When combined with iodine, it produces the thyroid hormone and helps with thyroid conversion.

Coriander seed tea I have coriander seed tea every morning with my medication. Coriander is high in vitamins A, C, and K and helps manage cholesterol. This is important, as seeing high cholesterol alongside a hypothyroidism diagnosis is common.

Foods to keep an eye on:

Dairy products can interfere with the absorption of thyroid medication. I have limited my dairy intake to Plain Greek yogurt, which I usually eat in the middle of the day, hours after taking my medication.

Goitrogens such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and kale should be cooked only. Raw goitrogens can interfere with your body’s ability to use iodine. Of course, these foods are highly nutritious, and I would encourage anybody to continue consuming them. Steaming or cooking these foods will help to reduce the levels of goitrogens.

Gluten can cause inflammation in some people who have hypothyroidism. I noticed that I was less bloated when I reduced my gluten intake.

What I've learned

My experience taught me that appearance is not always an indicator of health. Someone can appear thin and fit yet still struggle with a health condition. My diagnosis also made me realize the importance of mental health and stress management and that stress can manifest in physical symptoms. There is a popular narrative on social media now that being self-employed or an entrepreneur is glamorous, exciting, and will result in “a lot of money.” The beginning stages can be one of the most challenging aspects of starting a business. If you don't find effective ways to manage your stress, you may end up with mental health issues that may manifest into physical symptoms/illnesses.

It is imperative to shed light on hypothyroidism, as it is widespread in North America, especially among women. I am lucky to have a doctor who pushed me to get a blood test before my symptoms were noticeable. (He knew I had a family history of hypothyroidism) Clients told me they were experiencing the symptoms listed above and that their doctors dismissed their concerns. One of my clients told me that her doctor dismissed her concerns about hypothyroidism, telling her that her symptoms were most likely due to obesity. Don’t be afraid to get a second or third opinion if you suspect hypothyroidism.

Lastly, get in for your yearly check-up, even if you are not experiencing symptoms, especially if autoimmune diseases run in the family. My Montreal doctor told me I did not experience other common symptoms like weight gain because I caught it early.

Remember

Remember to speak to a medical professional about changes to your diet and how to handle your individual diagnosis.

References

Abid, M., and Kapil Kumar Sharma. “COMPLICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HYPOTHYROIDISM -A REVIEW.” Indian Journal of Drugs, vol. 4, no. 2348–1684, June 2016.