Around the time I hit 50, I noticed a few unpleasant changes. I was past the transition into menopause so that contributed to the problem but something else was definitely going on.
I couldn’t keep my Vitamin D levels in the optimal range … without supplementing with a day or two in the tanning bed every week.
I started feeling like the Pillsbury Dough Girl.
I hadn’t gained much weight but fat was accumulating. That’s when I started focusing on body fat percentage. It’s a more important metric to track.
I was cold. 
ALL. THE. TIME.
There’s nothing quite as bone chilling as an air conditioned room in the humid southeast. But, I knew there was something going on with me when leaving the thermostat on 74 still felt cold.
Through my research, determined to find the root cause, I discovered a quick DIY thyroid test.
Basal body temperature. Here’s a link to a video that will provide a bit more explanation. Basal Body Temperature and Thyroid
My low body temperature pointed to an issue with my thyroid.
Before you head to your doctor demanding a thyroid test and hoping for medication …
STOP!
I was not going to supplement my thyroid artificially … and neither should you (unless you have a physical issue with the gland).
The problem, in my case, was a mineral imbalance. That would have never been addressed if I had resorted to thyroid medication.
And, a mineral imbalance will create lots of other issues that become more difficult to unravel when the “internal noise” 
caused by medication is drowning out the subtle messages that the symptom is offering you.
I supplemented with the right minerals for a couple of months and the problem was solved. Now I watch for symptoms and know what they are likely pointing to.
We can’t completely offset the effects of aging but there is a lot we can do to age gracefully … naturally.
Until next week …
Be Well!
Dr. Gala
