Pharmacist’s ‘tired and cold’ warning could signal lifelong problem

If you’re feeling cold and tired a lot, you might easily be putting that down to the bitter winter weather. But if you feel that way all the time, even if you’re warm and well-rested, then there could be another issue going unnoticed for years.

Ashley O’Dubhain, a pharmacist based in Dublin, explained that one common health condition sometimes goes undiagnosed for a while. The condition, which is 10 times more common in women, is an underactive thyroid.

Sometimes known as hypothyroidism, it’s when your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Some of the most common symptoms that people experience are tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed, according to the NHS website.

Ashley, who goes by @ashthepharmacist on TikTok, explained: “It has many similar symptoms to many other conditions, so it’s essential to get your GP to measure your TSH levels. The good news is, it’s a very manageable condition with a simple medication.”

In his clip, he stated that “most people” take a tablet called levothyroxine. There are natural ways to help your thyroid, along with better diet choices that increase your “iodine, selenium, and zinc” levels.

However this shouldn’t replace any medication you are prescribed. He gave some examples, which include foods like:

• seaweed and fish (for iodine)
• Brazil nuts (for selenium)
• poultry and beef (for zinc)

There’s no way of preventing an underactive thyroid. Most cases are caused either by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland and damaging it, or by damage to the thyroid.

You’ll initially have regular blood tests until the correct dose of levothyroxine is reached. This can take a little while to get right but once it’s in place, you’ll usually need treatment for the rest of your life.