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Natural Cures for Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition wherein the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Before discussing the natural cures for hypothyroidism, it is important that you understand the function of thyroid hormones.

Function of Thyroid Hormones
  • Regulation of body temperature
  • Fat, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism
  • Help other organs to function effectively
  • Stimulate vitamin metabolism
When a person does not have enough thyroid hormones, he will experience cold intolerance, fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, brittle hair, increased cholesterol levels and constipation. About 10 million Americans suffer from hypothyroidism and it is not something you could just ignore. Curing hypothyroidism means that you need to do something to increase the amount of thyroid hormones in your body. Below are natural treatments for this condition.

You have to eliminate soy
Studies have shown that soy can suppress the function of the thyroid gland. It imbalances thyroid hormones and can cause goiter. Thus, you need to have a soy-free diet.

Increase iodine intake
Iodine is important since it enables the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. It is one of the best cures for hypothyroidism. Foods rich in iodine include eggs, potatoes, fish, parsley, salt, bananas, radish, meat, and yoghurt. Having an iodine-rich diet is very easy and affordable.

Coconut Oil
As mentioned above, the thyroid gland is responsible for the metabolism of the body. With low amounts of thyroid hormones, your body's metabolism is slower which results to weight gain and increased cholesterol levels. Coconut oil promotes metabolism. It is like a fuel to make the thyroid gland perform faster. Coconut oil is very healthy and it does not add weight to your body.

Bladder Wrack
Bladder wrack is a seaweed, which is a very good source of iodine. It has been used traditionally for weight loss and hypothyroidism. It stimulates the thyroid gland, increasing the body's metabolism,

Exercise
Exercise has always been a healthy activity for any person. It is also healthy for people who have hypothyroidism. Exercise increases metabolism and also burns fats which can lower cholesterol levels.

Red Marine Algae
This is very rich with natural iodine which can cure hypothyroidism. It also decreases bad cholesterol levels in the blood. Red marine algae are full of nutrients and have many healthy benefits.

Pears
This fruit was discovered by the Chinese of ancient times that have a powerful effect of balancing hormones. It is considered as one of the natural cures for hypothyroidism. Drinking pear juice regularly can also help.

Credit : Ania Stephenson

Tips For Women With Thyroid Problems

Thyroid difficulties can be caused by a number of different things. This gland is very important for regulating your metabolism. As a result, hypothyroid women (under-active gland) may find it very hard to lose weight. Women with hyperthyroidism (overactive gland) may find it difficult to gain weight and may experience muscle spasms and excessive sweating. Here are some great tips for women with thyroid problems that can make coping a little easier.

When you have hypothyroidism it is vital to be tested on a regular basis. Your doctor can send you for a simple blood test. This test checks your thyroid hormone receptors or thyroid stimulating hormone. If it is high the gland is not functioning properly. In some cases you will have to take medication and it may need to be periodically adjusted. This is why it is vital to have routine testing and examinations.

Hypothyroidism can make you may feel sluggish and it is important to keep up your energy. Try eating several small meals during the day. This will help you maintain higher energy levels. It also stimulates metabolism and this can make it easier to lose weight.

Make sure to discuss diet with your doctor. Find out if some foods, supplements, or medications will affect your medication. This will help to make your medication as effective as possible, and it may make you feel better.

You might be taking medication and still feel very tired and listless all the time. Try avoiding certain foods. Start by eliminating refined sugar for a week and see if it makes a difference. It also is a good idea to limit alcohol consumption as much as possible. If you like cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, make sure that they are cooked before eating. These foods can affect hypothyroidism negatively.

If you feel like you have no energy, start an exercise program. It may seem like the last thing you want to do, but you will be surprised how much it can help. Exercise is great for stress and can actually make you feel much better.

Maybe you are worn out during the day. You may need to get more sleep. Try to get to bed at least an hour earlier than usual. You may have to forgo that late night movie, but you may feel much better for it. You also might try taking a short nap during your lunch hour.

Perhaps you have an overactive thyroid gland or hyperthyroidism. Stay away from supplements that have iodine. If you love coffee or tea, make sure to drink decaffeinated versions. Eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables as this may actually help your condition.

Many women are told they have under-active or overactive thyroid glands and they feel like it is a life sentence. Although there may not be a cure, you do not have sit back and feel sorry for yourself. Take control of your health condition so it will not control you. These great tips for women with thyroid problems can make a big difference if you take them to heart.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroid Problems

Our thyroid gland works to produce thyroid hormone needed for our body. The Thyroid hormone controls one's body tremendously, affecting every single cell in our body. It works like a gas pedal for our body. Because of its' important role, it produces serious damage to one's body functionality if the thyroid fails to do its' job normally. Listed below are some of the most common symptoms of having or suffering from hyperthyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism, which is also known as over active thyroid, is when the thyroid gland malfunctions and starts produces excessive hormone than needed. When this happens, basically everything speeds up in your body. Hyperthyroid patients produce excessive energy for their body causing abnormal thermostat for their body. They suffers by feeling too hot even in a cold environment. They feel very uncomfortable in a warm environment and will feel very irritated. Along with this, hyperthyroid patients also perspire easily than others.

Hyperthyroid patients also experience insomnia. Because of the excessive thyroid hormone, their body cannot easily calm down. Sleep Deprivation for these patients are also faced with behavioral and emotional changes. They experience sudden mood swings, anxiety, depression, sadness and irritability. Due to this reason, patients are sometimes referred to see psychologists when it's actually the thyroid hormone that's causing it.

Couple other common symptoms for hyperthyroid patients are increased frequency of bowel movement, hair changes, skin changes, and weight loss. Hyperthyroid patients are faced with faster metabolic rate along with increase bowel activity leading them with abrupt weight loss up to 10- 20 pounds. Also with thyroid hormone buildup, their digestive system will not work properly to absorb certain nutrients from food. Along with this, increase palpitation causes increase in loss of moisture in skin causing sudden changes in skin pigmentation and increase of wrinkle visibility.

One of the most dangerous symptoms of hyperthyroidism is having a rapid, forceful heartbeat. The increased hormone stimulates the heart to beat faster even when patients are not exposed to any physical activities. When this symptoms is left untreated it can cause serious heart problems or weakened heart causing abrupt heart failure.

Some other physical changes patients may experience is the visible enlarged thyroid gland. Excessive stimulation in their thyroid may cause the thyroid gland to enlarge and may cause swelling in the front of their neck. This is called goiter. When this happen, one can actually see the swelling in their neck.

If you are not sure whether you are suffering from hyperthyroidism but you are experiencing one or more of the symptoms above, it is highly recommended to get your blood test done as soon as possible. If untreated, you may have to remove your thyroid gland completely.

Credit : Monica Yi

Causes and Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

The thyroid gland is situated in the neck region and is mainly concerned with the regulation of the body's metabolism. But when this gland does not function properly, it leads to a range of problems. One of these is hyperthyroidism.

What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism literally means 'too much thyroid hormone'. Under normal circumstances, the thyroid gland produces the exact required amount of two hormones called T3 and T4. In hyperthyroidism, the gland produces excessive amounts of any one or both of these hormones. The biggest effect this has on the human body is that it speeds up the rate of metabolism. Subsequently, all the internal processes in the body speed up, which, in turn, has an effect on organs like the heart, pancreas, etc.

What causes hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism affects people of both sexes, though women are ten times more likely than men to experience it. Around 80 percent of all hyperthyroidism cases are caused by Graves' disease. This is an inherited, auto-immune disorder that appears when some people reach middle age. It is most likely triggered by a bacterial or viral infection. The antibodies produced against the infection are assumed to react with the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors, which causes the thyroid gland to become overactive.

The other major cause of hyperthyroidism is over-production of the thyroid hormones due to an enlargement of the thyroid gland itself. This enlargement may be due to a goitre, which refers to the swelling of the entire thyroid gland. In other cases, the gland may develop a collection of growths, called an adenoma. These growths are usually benign, but can turn malignant over a period of time. Apart from producing extra amounts of thyroidhormones, an enlarged thyroid gland can damage other structures in the neck region by compressing them.

There are a few lesser causes as well. An inflamed thyroid gland, called thyroiditis, can also result in increased hormone production at times. This condition is usually seen in women, after they have a baby. In other cases, certain medications may interfere with normal thyroid functioning. These are rare occurrences though, and they usually result in mild cases ofhyperthyroidism, which can be easily cured.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

Excessive amounts of thyroid hormone in the body lead to an overall increase in an individual's rate of metabolism. The physical symptoms of increased metabolism caused by hyperthyroidism include:
  • Increased heart rate, leading to palpitations
  • Muscle weakness
  • Hair loss
  • Increase in appetite but loss of weight
  • Irritability and nervousness
  • Intolerance to heat
  • Bulging eyeballs
  • Increase in bowel movements
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Tremors in the hands
  • Fatigue
  • Heavy perspiration
  • Decreased menstrual flow or absent periods

All these symptoms need not appear at the same time. However, if you experience three or more of these symptoms, it is advisable to consult your doctor.

Symptoms of Thyroid Problems

The thyroid is a small but important gland that is located in the neck, and its function is to produce hormones that are controlled by the pituitary gland. TSH, or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, is sent out by the pituitary gland and results in the production of thyroxine by the thyroid. Thyroxine affects a number of functions in the human body, and this includes moods, heart rate, body heat, metabolism, body heat, skin and hair growth, memory, energy, and periods.

Before we can talk about the thyroid we need to understand some basics first. Up inside your brain there is an organ called the hypothalamus. This organ senses and reads how much thyroid hormone you have in your body. If it is low it releases a hormone called TRH or Thyroid Releasing Hormone so it can stimulate the pituitary gland. Now the pituitary is also located in your brain and works by managing many of the hormones in your body.

symptoms of thyroid problems include:
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Depression
  • Weight gain
  • Low basal temperature, cold intolerance, cold hands and feet
  • Dry and coarse skin

Thyroid problems are largely a result of an imbalance in your thyroid levels. Any kind of thyroid problem, regardless of cause, leads to a weight problem, and it's usually drastic - you could find that you are gaining weight, losing it rapidly or maybe you just can't get rid of it no matter how hard you try! This can then give rise to other weight-related diseases. The ensuing problems are bad whether you suffer from an under-active thyroid an overactive thyroid.

These are signs of hypothyroidism. There is usually pain in the muscles and joints. One may develop carpal tunnel or tarsal tunnel. Carpal tunnel develops in the hands and arms and tarsal tunnel develops in the legs. If this condition is left undiagnosed then it can worsen the condition. The best way to combat this is to consume iodine through your daily diet and take medical help.

Treatment

One of the best treatments is Levothyroxine which is a synthetic thyroid hormone. This specific treatment can frequently be very dangerous and requires continuous monitoring as to how the levels of Levothyroxine affect the condition. An optional method of treating this health problem is by utilizing natural hormone like the extract from cows. However, there is always a doubt about the virus infections. In both the conditions it is believed that alteration of thyroid hormone levels treat the causes of thyroid problem moderately than just provisionally relieving the symptoms.  

Thyroid tumors are another section of thyroid problems, and can involve both benign tumors and cancerous, malignant ones. Thyroid adenoma is a form that is a benign tumor, while lymphoma and other cancers of the thyroid are malignant types. Having an enlarged thyroid gland or a thyroid nodule can be a potential symptom of a thyroid tumor. Later symptoms may also appear if the tumor or cancer has progressed.

If you are drinking soft drinks and other foods flavored with aspartame or other chemical ingredients, switch to water or fruit juices instead as processed foods and their chemical ingredients tend to depress thyroid function. Replace the iodized salt in your salt shaker and replace it with sea salt, another good natural therapy for thyroid health that is mineral-rich.

Thyroid is a small gland in our body that plays a vital role in regulating our metabolism. As we are aware that proper metabolism is very important for many functions of the body, we must not take thyroid problems lightly. There are various factors that lead to thyroid dysfunction like iodine deficiency or highly stressful life.

You need to have faith in yourself and know that you will never eliminate your thyroid issues until you treat it as it is the main objective in your life. Be in control of your diet and do not get over anxious or impatient. Correcting thyroid problems usually always takes some time and patience.

Weightloss with a problem thyroid is a process of determining the amounts of protein and carbs that will stabilize your particular body chemistry. Different bodies have different types of metabolism that determines the food combinations that will increase or slow down weightloss results. Meeting the emotional and energy needs of someone with a problem thyroid is just as important as your diet. There is a direct relationship between an increase of metabolism and a hunger for life. If you stimulate your mood you can overcome your metabolic slumps and stay motivated.

For most women in the postpartum stage after childbirth extreme tiredness is normal, at least immediately after delivery. However, the continual fatigue is not normal. Most women and even "experts" will chalk these symptoms up to sleepless nights and the two in the morning feedings. While this may be the case, it is important to consider having a thyroid test. Because there is a condition called postpartum thyroiditis.

Licorice is a treatment used in a large number of medications and is added to many herbal formulas including natural remedies for thyroid disease. Although it is commonly used as a flavoring agent, the root is used as a flavoring component in herbal remedies by many health industries. Licorice enhances muscle protection which is vital for the thyroid gland. Licorice may boost the life of cells and the action of various secreting cells.

Credit : larissabrown

How to Get Rid of Thyroid Problems

Thyroid is a small gland located in our neck. The main purpose of this gland is to produce hormones to run our metabolism properly. As metabolism is one of the most important functions of our body; it can trigger a host of disorders if it slows down or malfunctions.

There are two most common forms of thyroid diseases; hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Your thyroid can be overactive or underactive depending upon the reason of the disorder. The major cause of hypothyroidism is inflammation of the gland. Once your thyroid is inflamed; it stops producing sufficient amount of hormone. The insufficient production of essential hormones triggers various diseases like excessive weight gain, insomnia, depression etc.

You can easily get rid of thyroid problems if you start taking care of your diet. You must start taking iodine rich diet as soon as you notice thyroid disease symptoms. Following are some natural treatment of thyroid diseases.
  • Though iodized salt is the most common form of salt available in the market, make sure that the salt you eat has enough iodine in it. If you notice symptoms of thyroid problems; start taking iodine rich diets.
  • Stop excessive smoking or alcoholism if you are suffering from hypothyroidism.
  • Eat a balanced diet with ample quantities of Vitamin A, B, C and E.
  • Broccoli, spinach, peanuts and soybeans are known to suppress thyroid functions therefore you must avoid these foods if you are suffering from thyroid problems.
  • Vitamin D is essential for proper function of thyroid therefore make sure that you get enough exposure to sunlight. You may also try vitamin D supplements if you wish.
  • If you are on some kind of medication that contains Lithium; you must stop using them after consultation with your physician.
Credit : Felix Godwin