THYROID DISEASE AND HOW TO MANAGE IT

What is Thyroid Disease? From Wikipedia: Thyroid disease is a medical condition affecting the thyroid gland’s function (the endocrine organ found at the front of the neck that produces thyroid hormones ). The weight of the gland is 1.5 ounces, and during a year, the thyroid gland produces approximately a teaspoon of thyroid hormone. This small amount of hormone drives the metabolic rate of each of the trillions of cells in the body every day. Little variations in the thyroid hormone have significant effects on the body.

Four general types of main thyroid problems exist 1) Hypothyroidism (low function) caused by insufficient thyroid hormones. 2) Hyperthyroidism (high capacity) caused by too many thyroid hormones; 3) Structural abnormalities, most commonly enlargement of the thyroid gland. 4) Tumors can be benign or cancerous.

HYPOTHYROID SYMPTOMS: Fatigue, low energy, weight gain, inability to tolerate the cold, slow heart rate, hair loss, dry skin, and constipation. Failure to lose weight. Menstrual problems and PMS. The body is in an energy-saving mode.

HYPERTHYROID SYMPTOMS: Irritability, weight loss, fast heartbeat, heat intolerance, diarrhoea. Inability to gain weight. The list goes on, but these are the most common symptoms. There may be enlargement of the Thyroid in both Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. The swelling of a part of the neck is also known as goitre. Various dysfunctions throughout the body can be traced back to thyroid function. Most people with Hypothyroidism have Hashimoto’s (about 90%). Hashimoto is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s thyroid tissue. When you visit your doctor, you should talk about this. They might not be aware of Hashimoto’s disease and how your Thyroid functions can, to a certain degree, be connected to your intestine, Liver, and adrenal gland. Your adrenal gland and your Thyroid work together. When the Thyroid is burdened, the adrenals work extra hard.

FOOD you should limit, stop eating, or drastically cut: Sugar, milk products, grains, and junk food. (processed food/canned food/premade food) On the other hand, eat lots of vegetables, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats (Omega 3, Coconut oil, and Olive Oil). If you eat meat (there are iron and B12 in the flesh), choose grass-fed meat. SUPPLEMENTS needed for making your Thyroid work properly: The pituitary gland needs: Magnesium / B12 / Sink / Protein. From this area, the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is produced. The Thyroid needs Vitamin C / B2 (Riboflavin) / Iodine / B3 (Niacin) / Tyrosine. The Thyroid makes T4 (inactive hormone). The Liver needs Vitamin A / Vitamin D/ Iron / Omega 3 / Selenium. The Liver converts T4 to the active T3 hormone. Vitamins A and D bind to T3. (The active hormone)

WHAT TESTS TO TAKE to see if you have a thyroid problem: TSH This hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain, stimulating the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone. When TSH is elevated, it is a sign of an underactive thyroid. The normal range is 0.4 to 5.0 min/L. But this is a wide range. Some holistic doctors claim that optimal levels are between 0.3 – 3.0 mIU/L – and some suggest the capacity to be even more narrow. But checking only the TSH is insufficient to see if you have a thyroid problem. T3 and T4, The levels of T3 and T4 provide information on how the thyroid gland functions. If these levels are low, one might conclude that the thyroid gland is malfunctioning.

Antibody tests It is also essential to look at thyroid antibody tests. Antithyroglobulin and anti-microsomal antibodies. These are substances the body produces that attack the thyroid gland. Positive antibody tests may diagnose thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s and Grave’s disease. Reverse T3 Reverse T3 tests are rarely done in conventional medicine. If reverse T3 levels are too high, the body cannot convert inactive thyroid hormone (T4) into active thyroid hormone (T3). This is one of the most common causes of Hypothyroidism and is often missed.

The body temperature: Measuring the body’s core temperature can be critical. A low temperature indicates a small thyroid function. Too high or too low temperatures inhibit normal body functions. The optimal temperature should be 97.8 – 98.2 Fahrenheit / 36.5 – 36.7 Degrees Celsius. (Measured orally or under the arm.) But keep in mind that people function differently. You can feel okay with a low temperature, while others feel terrible at the same low temperature. This test must be contextualised with the other thyroid tests, physical exams, and history. All tests together will give you much of the thyroid malfunction puzzle.