Bottom Line/Health: There are so many people that may be running around with undiagnosed thyroid problems. So what are the top symptoms that people need to be aware of that might alert them to a thyroid problem?

Dr. Brooke Kalanick, ND: Like you said, up to 10% of women have a thyroid issue and don’t know it. So there’re a lot of symptoms that seem kind of vague and get you into your doctor wondering what’s going on.

Some of the biggies that could indicate this is a thyroid issue are fatigue, brain fog or depression – just walking around feeling cloudy, feeling like you have “the dumbs” – weight gain, of course, changes in your menstrual cycle or a decrease in libido. And then just general muscle weakness and fatigue, like you’re not recovering from your workouts or feeling like you’re able to get any exercise. And there’s a long, long list. We’ve got constipation, dry skin, hair falling out. Those are some of the things that tend to get women into their doctor’s office.

Bottom Line: Here’s the question, though, because all those things are so common. Everybody’s constipated. Every woman I know. Between fatigue and “What was that thing I had to remember again?” how do you know when to go it? Do you go in if you just have one of those? Is it if you have them over time? Is it if you have three or more, then you get it? 

Dr. Kalanick: I recommend everyone get screened at least once a year for a thyroid problem, or sometimes more. But if you have a symptom that now feels like it has gotten worse or out of the blue – like maybe before you had low energy, but now your hair is falling out too. Maybe you’ve always had a hard time losing weight, but now you’re noticing your lateral part of your eyebrows are falling out.

If you start getting more symptoms, new symptoms, or ones that have worsened, then definitely get yourself in and get a good blood workup. Thyroid is something we can see really easily on pretty basic blood work.

Bottom Line: All right. Thank you, Dr. Brooke Kalanick.