Fatigue is a really common symptom of hypothyroidism in women.

When that tiredness hits, it’s really, really tempting to ramp up your caffeine intake. I know, because that’s what I did early in my hypothyroidism journey.

What I didn’t know at the time, and what you might not know either, is that this can actually cause a really vicious cycle and make your thyroid symptoms worse.

What caffeine does to the body

Caffeine is a stimulant. It ramps up activity in the brain and nervous system, it increases the circulation of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, and it tries to increase your metabolism, all making you feel like you have a ton of energy.

How this impacts your thyroid

The thyroid is what controls the metabolism in real life. When the caffeine molecules also try to kick-start your metabolism, that can be extra taxing on the thyroid. 

If you already have a slow thyroid, this extra energy that the thyroid has to use to properly manage your metabolism can make those thyroid symptoms even worse.

And that cortisol that caffeine triggers? That’s your stress hormone and that also slows down the thyroid. 

This is why you have to be so careful with your caffeine intake if you’re living with a slow thyroid.

How to manage fatigue without caffeine

If you’re struggling to get out of bed in the morning, if you constantly have brain fog, and just overall have really low energy throughout the day, the best thing to do is find out why.

Is your thyroid medication not working? Are you taking it the correct way?

Are you not on thyroid medication at all, but maybe you should be?

Do you have a mineral imbalance?

Is the liver bogged down?

Are you exercising in a way that slows down the thyroid?

Are your adrenals taxed?

There are so many potential causes of that fatigue you’re feeling! But really, the best way to treat it is not to mask the symptoms with an extra cup of coffee. 

Instead, find out what the root cause is and treat that. 

And I can help you with that. Reach out and book your complimentary discovery call so we can map out how best to work together to get your thyroid back on track, and help you find those energy levels you once had.