Do you know ways your feet and ankles could be showing you something more about the state of your health, and it could be your Thyroid? January is Thyroid Awareness Month, and it’s time to put daily foot inspections to the test. The thyroid is a small gland found in the neck. The gland produces a hormone that controls our metabolism. The results can have a wide impact on your overall health including your energy level and heart rate.
It’s time to talk more about the thyroid, and we’re here to help with the conversation. We hope you will walk away from this blog post with the information you need to advocate for your health.
For the doctors at New England Podiatry Associates, we’ve seen the impacts of a condition known as hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism means the gland is not producing enough of the hormone that regulates the body’s metabolism. Signs of this condition include fatigue, cold feet, and even weight gain. A hyperthyroid diagnosis means the gland is producing too much hormone. Either condition can impact your feet.
While doing your daily inspection, here are a few things to monitor:
Swelling
Could it be an ankle sprain or another injury? Have you started a new medication that could be causing an allergic reaction? These are two questions that could put you on the path to learning more about the cause of your swelling. Have you considered hypothyroidism? Take the information you know and bring it to the conversation with your doctor.
Weight gain
Keep an eye on your feet. Can you explain your weight gain? If not, your feet may be trying to tell you something. With weight gain may come swelling. Joint pain could be possible, too, as your body moves with more pressure on its joints. Before jumping to conclusions, write down other changes you may have noticed.
Cold feet
Has the temperature dropped, or are your feet cold often? If you notice that adding layers doesn’t help, there could be other concerns. Raynaud’s is an example. Hypothyroidism could also be what’s causing the chill. The benefit of looking at your feet each day is that it becomes much easier to spot when something is different.
For people in our nation, as many as 60% walk around without any idea they have an undiagnosed thyroid problem. We’re here to help this number decrease. Spread the word, and you help, too.
We are still offering a telemedicine option for your safety and convenience. At New England Podiatry Associates, Dr. Ronald Etskovitz, Dr. Raymond Murano III, Dr. Catherine Jacobs, and Dr. Zachary Sax treat various conditions such as sports injuries, foot and ankle pain, pediatric foot care, ingrown toenails, and flat feet. Equipped with a board-certified podiatrist team, we offer two convenient locations to provide excellent care for patients in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties. Contact our Chestnut Hill office at 617-232-1752 and our Newton-Wellesley office at 617-630-8280.