A while back I went to my family doctor knowing I had a problem and explained my symptoms of fatigue and sluggishness. I also told him over time I developed symptoms, including:
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Unexplained weight gain
- Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
- Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
As the symptoms were vague my doctor just told me I was getting older and told be to get more rest. Then I read an article in a womens health fitness magazine about hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and learned that women are more likely to have hypothyroidism than men are. Untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain and heart disease. I made an appointment with a womens health specialist and she immediately had me tested. The womens health magazine was very accurate as I did have hypothyroidism.
Accurate thyroid function tests are available to diagnose hypothyroidism, and treatment is usually simple and effective once the proper dosage is determined. For me it was well worth the effort to find a good womens health specialist.
