The thyroid gland controls your metabolism (your energy levels). People who have cold hands or feet, feel sluggish, and have difficulty losing weight usually have hypothyroidism. You can first check your thyroid by taking your basal (under your armpit for 10 minutes without moving around) temperature first thing in the morning before you get out of bed. Take it for 3 – 5 days in a row. If it is below 97.8 – 98.2 it strongly suggests hypothyroidism. Again this may be subclinical, but you should have some thyroid tests performed. There are some natural and supplemental vitamins that can help. The innervation for the thyroid gland comes from the Vagus nerve and the superior cervical ganglion (located at C2).
While the Thyroid gland and subclinical hypothyroidism may not be the direct cause of Fibromyalgia, it can be a co-existing condition and may in fact enhance or exacerbate your symptoms. Many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism (fatigue, coldness, low energy, irritablness) are also symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia. Low thyroid function should be ruled out and/or treated along with your other Fibromyalgia symptoms.