09.16
Thyroid problems may make you fat and moody
By Amy Price PhD
People who have sustained head or serious neck injuries can also damage the thyroid as well. Sometimes people who are diagnosed with whiplash later develop thyroid issues. Many of the symptoms of hypothyroid are the same as those as those for people who have dealt with a brain injury so they tend to be ignored. This is tragic because low thyroid levels can eventually lead to cognitive damage and even dementia. The thyroid can be damaged even if you are thin. It is not always true that people gain massive amounts of weight with this kind of condition just as it is not true that people with a past brain injury need to be constantly exhausted or depressed. The video above will tell you about symptoms and what you can do about this disorder
Your thyroid gland weighs less than an ounce and is located in the front of your neck just below the Adam’s apple. The thyroid acts as a feedback mechanism for your metabolism so when it is too slow or too fast this can upset a lot of body functions The thyroid gland takes iodine and converts it into thyroid hormones. Thyroid cells are the only cells in the body which can absorb iodine. These cells combine iodine and the amino acid tyrosine to make T3 and T4. T3 and T4 are then released into the blood stream and are transported throughout the body where they control metabolism (conversion of oxygen and calories to energy). Every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulation of their metabolism.
Get this checked by your doctor. It takes a simple blood test and oral medication. This disorder can show up years after an injury so be aware.
Symptoms of a slow thryroid include
•Fatigue, Depression
•Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight, or loss of appetite
•Coarse, dry hair, thinning hair or outer portion of eybrows thinning out
•Dry, rough pale skin,
•Cold and heat intolerance (you can’t tolerate cold temperatures like those around you)
•Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches, weakness
•Constipation
•Depression, Irritability
•Memory loss, lack of focus, reduced coordination
•Abnormal menstrual cycles, decreased interest in sex
[...] Brain injury and chronic pain survivors often ask me why they are getting so fat inspite of low fat eating. Many people blame it on the meds but patients in increasing numbers are stating they get overwhelming cravings for sweet and fatty foods. This makes sense as it is one way the body tries to bring the reward system into balance since being brain damaged and in chronic pain sucks out the feel good neurotransmitters like dopamine, oxytocin and opiod receptors which the body then tries to take short cuts to get back to acceptable levels by over indulging on sweets and fats. Sadly over time this makes things worse and the system requires more and more fats and sweets just to find a balance. Getting your thyroid levels checked after a spine injury is important too thyroid dysfunction due to…. [...]