Is your thyroid making you tired?

An important part of your hormonal system, the thyroid gland can be responsible for a range of symptoms, from fatigue and dry skin to brain fog.

This is one of the most frequent patient stories I hear: “Doctor, I feel so tired all the time. I’m not eating any differently to normal, but I seem to be putting on weight. And my hair is falling out.” It alerts me to the possibility of a thyroid disorder – they’re reasonably common, affect women more than men and become more prevalent with age.

The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland lies at the front of your neck, below the voice box. The thyroid is part of the endocrine system, which consists of a group of glands responsible for producing hormones that help the body function properly. It does this by producing two iodine-containing hormones – thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) – which control the body’s processes, such as heart rate, digestion, body temperature and weight.

The thyroid uses iodine from foods to produce these hormones, and iodine deficiency is the most frequent cause of thyroid disorders. In Australia, iodine deficiency is relatively common because iodine levels are very low in our soils where we grow vegetables and grains and raise livestock. However, you can boost your levels by eating dietary sources including dairy, eggs, seafood, seaweed, some vegetables and bread fortified with iodised salt.