Hypothyroidism: Energy, Digestion and Care Notes
Understand an underactive thyroid and keep useful notes about fatigue, constipation and prescribed treatment while following your blood-test plan.
Feeling slower or more tired can be difficult to explain, especially when it has crept into the day gradually. A few clear observations can help you describe the change.
Start your food and symptom diary
Understanding Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism means the thyroid does not produce enough hormone. It can cause tiredness, feeling cold, weight gain, constipation and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms also have other causes, so diagnosis depends on blood tests and assessment. [1]
Care and everyday food decisions
Treatment usually replaces thyroid hormone with levothyroxine. Regular blood tests help check the dose. Ask a pharmacist about how to take your medicine and any food, supplement or medicine interactions rather than changing timings or doses yourself. [2]
Keeping a useful personal record
Record prescribed treatment, bowel symptoms, energy and test dates. Keep a manageable account of your usual meals without treating each ingredient as a thyroid remedy. One Food Forward can help you recall the history, but it cannot assess thyroid function or calculate a replacement dose.
Related reading: Chronic Constipation; Hyperthyroidism.
Should I increase my medicine when I feel tired?
Do not change the dose yourself. Tell your clinician about the symptoms and follow their testing plan, because tiredness can have more than one cause. [1] [2]
Keep the details somewhere you can find them
There is no need to tell the whole story at once. Start with today’s meal, a symptom or a few words about how you felt. Those small entries give you something to return to when it is time to talk about your care.
Sources and further reading
Your healthcare team should guide diagnosis, treatment and changes to your diet or medicines.
Spotted something that needs correcting? Contact One Food Forward support and include this page’s address.