If you have a thyroid condition, thyroid hormone supplementation is often the recommended course of treatment. Compared with anti-thyroid medications like propylthioracil or methimazole which may put patients into hyperthyroidism, thyroid hormone supplementation carries far fewer risks.
Synthetic thyroxine or levothyroxine is the most frequently prescribed medication and should be taken on an empty stomach to ensure optimal absorption.
1. Increased energy
The thyroid gland in your neck produces hormones essential to your metabolism and energy conversion process, such as turning food into energy for use by the body, controlling heart rate and temperature regulation, and helping maintain weight balance. When your thyroid isn’t working correctly, symptoms like fatigue may manifest themselves.
Your doctor can be of great assistance. Many individuals find that their fatigue improves after beginning to take medications to treat an underactive thyroid. While full benefits of treatment may take several weeks or even several months to appear, taking your prescription consistently and avoiding outside factors that interfere with its absorption are key elements to feeling better.
One key consideration when following a diet that contains high-fat content is to avoid eating fatty meals near bedtime, which could reduce the effectiveness of thyroid replacement hormone. Also avoid large meals within hours before bedtime as these could interfere with your sleep patterns and affect energy levels the following day.
Your doctor may suggest making lifestyle changes to help you feel better, such as increasing consumption of foods containing B vitamins – essential energy boosters – and getting regular physical activity, including moderate intensity workouts at least five days per week and strength training exercises two or three times weekly. It is best to do your workouts during the daytime as exercising late at night can prevent sleep from coming easily.
Make sure that you take your thyroid medication at the appropriate time each day, such as first thing in the morning on an empty stomach at least an hour before meals to allow the medication time to fully absorb in your system. Discuss any medications or supplements you are currently taking that could interfere with thyroid treatment with your doctor.
2. Better sleep
Thyroid hormones at normal levels help promote a healthy sleep-wake cycle and production of melatonin – both essential components for restful slumber. If you find yourself dragging through your day without finding enough restful restful nights’ rest, an underactive thyroid could be to blame.
An imbalanced thyroid can wreak havoc with many bodily systems. If you notice symptoms interfering with your sleep – such as feeling wired all of the time, fatigue after sleeping, unexplained weight gain or dry skin – consult with a doctor immediately.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, a visit to your physician might include suggestions such as adding certain nutrients or tweaking your thyroid medication regimen to identify what’s causing them and treat them effectively.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime as these can have a major impact on sleep quality. Caffeine interferes with how our brain releases melatonin while drinking too much alcohol can make falling asleep harder than necessary. Aim for seven to nine hours of high-quality sleep each night by keeping your bedroom cool, dark, and noise free.
Better rest can make you more energetic throughout the day, helping you manage weight more effectively and feeling in control of your emotions. A restful night’s rest could even help with weight loss!
Your thyroid plays a pivotal role in metabolism, the process that converts food to energy in your body. If there are issues with your thyroid gland, they can have an impactful effect on how quickly sugar and fat are burned by your body.
Low thyroid levels can have an adverse impact on the amount of oxygen present in your blood, compromising your health. Sleep apnea may further diminish oxygen levels through frequent breathing stops that leave you feeling fatigued all of the time. Other signs that your thyroid might not be working optimally include memory problems, fatigue and dry mouth/throat issues – talking with your physician when experiencing such symptoms can be extremely helpful; they will test you for hypothyroidism and offer solutions to restore its levels.
3. Reduced stress
Thyroid hormones play an integral role in stress levels. Under normal circumstances, the thyroid adapts by producing more hormones when energy consumption rises (such as during pregnancy) or decreasing them when energy use decreases (fasting). This flexibility allows healthy hormone production and balance; however, in cases of hypothyroidism this system fails too slowly, leading to elevated stress and symptoms like fatigue and anxiety.
Stress management techniques can have a dramatic effect on thyroid health and function. Methods such as adopting a balanced diet, getting enough restful sleep, participating in physical activity regularly and social support are effective ways to lower stress and increase energy. Supplements like Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea or Asian Ginseng may also help by decreasing cortisol production while supporting adrenal hormones that play an integral part of supporting optimal thyroid functioning.
If you find yourself feeling fatigued, a thyroid screening can help determine the source. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy has proven effective at relieving feelings of tiredness; be sure to follow all prescribed directions by your healthcare provider for optimal results.
Doing so may help prevent serious side effects such as allergic reactions, choking, heart issues and death. Furthermore, it’s vital to maintain a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as protein for maximum energy boost and decrease in sugar consumption as this will also boost energy levels.
As it can take time for thyroid medication to reach a healthy level in your body, it’s essential that you stay consistent in taking daily tablets. Unfortunately, many people find taking them becomes routine over time and become disinclined to continue with treatment, leading them to forget taking them altogether and worsen their fatigue and psychological symptoms. Drink plenty of fluids when taking thyroid medicine as this will decrease risk of choking or gagging from pills getting stuck in throat and help ensure a more pleasant experience overall. Likewise, contact your physician if there are any concerns or issues regarding taking your thyroid medicine regimen.
4. Increased metabolism
If your thyroid gland is underactive, your doctor may recommend medication to increase levels of hormones in your bloodstream. Levothyroxine is one such thyroid hormone replacement therapy available through Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme – though premium brands may cost more.
Thyroid hormones help manage your metabolism, or the rate at which energy is used by your body. Low levels of thyroid hormone may lead to decreased metabolic rates and weight gain; conversely, high levels can boost metabolism rates and aid weight loss. Of course, the relationship between thyroid medicine and body weight changes is complex; just because one is losing or gaining weight does not mean another’s medicine is at fault.
If you are on thyroid medication, it’s crucial that you adhere to your regimen. Discontinuing or altering dosage could have serious repercussions for your health.
As well as taking your thyroid medicine on time, it can also be helpful to steer clear of foods which could impede its effectiveness – for instance, certain dietary supplements and medicines can bind with thyroid hormones and prevent their absorption into your system.
Hoffman recommends taking thyroid medicines first thing in the morning on an empty stomach to ensure your body can absorb them correctly, according to research conducted at Mayo Clinic. If you are taking other hormones like birth control pills or estrogen at the same time as thyroid medicine, wait an hour so as not to cause interactions between the medications.
At times it takes several months for thyroid medication to take effect, so taking the recommended daily dosage is best. Once at the right dose, symptoms should quickly improve over time. If they don’t improve within several months however, talk to your physician or endocrinologist as they may run additional blood tests and adjust your dosage or provide different recommendations.
