It is beneficial to know the leading causes, symptoms, and the best natural remedies for thyroid health to help prevent thyroid problems. Thyroid problems affect more women than men. That said, once diagnosed, they usually heal well. Nutritional supplements under medical supervision, combined with conventional treatment and strengthen the health of your thyroid gland. Some symptoms of an imbalance of the thyroid gland. We also present the causes, remedies, and supplements to treat the thyroid gland.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism
- Mood swings, agitation, anxiety, sleep disorders
- Weight loss despite increased appetite; diarrhea; tachycardia; excessive sweating; sensation of extreme heat.
- Goiter (enlarged painless throat) swelling and eye irritation; muscular weakness; amenorrhea or rules very scarce.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
- Fatigue, lethargy or slowness of movement; depression; memory problems.
- Weight gain; constipation; Excessive cold sensation.
- Drying of the skin and hair, goiter, puffy eyes, heavy periods
A blood test will confirm the diagnosis.
What causes an imbalance in the thyroid gland?
The thyroid gland is made of two large lobes located at the base of the throat that secretes hormones essential to the operation and maintenance of all body cells. The disorder occurs when this gland produces too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism), metabolism racing. Conversely, if the thyroid gland secretes too little hormone (hypothyroidism), metabolism idling, in both cases, the symptoms appear quickly or conversely gradually, and often have the appearance of a slight depression, but sustained.
Most thyroid disorders result from an autoimmune disease in which the immune system of the body attacks the thyroid gland. Genetic factors, hormonal disorders affecting other parts of the body, surgery, radiation, or drug therapy can also trigger these disorders. Hypothyroidism can also be caused by a deficiency in iodine.
Thyroid and libido
Added to all of these symptoms is reduced libido, whether hypo- or hyperthyroidism. However, the impact on the sexuality of an abnormality of the thyroid has been little explored in men. But according to an Italian study, sexual disorders are quite common in hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism:
- Low libido in 18% of hyperthyroid patients and 64% of hypothyroid
- Erection disorders, respectively in 3% and 64% of patients
- Premature ejaculation in 50% and 7% of patients
- A delay ejaculation in 15% and 64% of patients
But treatment is available to regulate thyroid function related to improvement in sexual disorders. For example, the prevalence of premature ejaculation is from 50 to 15% among hyperthyroidism patients, while the delay of ejaculation improved among half of the hypothyroid patients.
The benefits of nutritional supplements on the health of your thyroid gland
Nutritional supplements described below exert effective action against the thyroid gland, including in patients already undergoing conventional treatment. However, it is essential to consult your doctor before taking, because certain nutrients can alter your body’s response to prescription drugs. The beneficial effects of supplements are felt after about one month. C, E, and B vitamins treat hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, as they play a vital role in improving all the functions of the thyroid gland and the immune system.
If your thyroid secretions are insufficient, see a doctor to prescribe you appropriate supplements. A zinc supplement ( associated with copper in case of prolonged intake) necessary to stimulate thyroid function. People with hypothyroidism should ensure that their diet provides them an adequate amount of selenium as an inadequate intake of this mineral is often the cause of thyroid dysfunction when the troubles result from iodine deficiency associated with conventional drugs wrack, which contains appreciable amounts.
Caution: If you are taking medication, consult your doctor before taking supplements.
Thyroid Disorders: hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
Is it true that one can oscillate between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism?
Some people suffering from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease (in which the immune system forces the antibodies to destroy its own cells), may first present with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, in the space of a few weeks or some months. Otherwise, it is mainly in people with hyperthyroidism, and taking synthetic hormones to compensate for the lack of natural hormones, we can see hyperthyroidism (overdose) or hypothyroidism (for lack of treatment).
I was in hyperthyroidism; after radioactive iodine treatment, I find myself in hypothyroidism. I had to follow fertility treatment and denied me as my thyroid is not stabilized. Why? Because a pregnancy in a woman with hypothyroidism is problematic for the proper development of the child, especially the brain, which needs thyroid hormones from the mother during much of gestation. On the other hand, hypothyroidism slows the metabolism of the ovaries. So we must first treat hypothyroidism, and only then take care of fertility for pregnancy to proceed in the best possible conditions for the mother and child. One thing after another. If you were diabetic, would be the same: we balance diabetes before you give the green light to a pregnancy.
Other tips for a healthy thyroid gland
- Feel regularly the region of your neck located just below Adam’s apple to verify that it is not swollen, which could be a sign of thyroid disorders.
- If you have hyperthyroidism, eat lots of raw cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, cabbage, and flowers, which contain a natural substance inhibits the function of the thyroid. Avoid iodized salt and foods containing iodine, such as marine fish and shellfish.
- If you suffer from hypothyroidism, avoid cruciferous vegetables, use iodized salt and eat foods rich in iodine, such as fish, seafood and seaweed.
Thyroid Disorders: Did you know?
- Many symptoms of hyperthyroidism are similar to signs of aging—a reliable diagnosis made from a simple blood test. Treatment advocates a hormonal tablet daily.
- The incidence of hypothyroidism is at least four times higher in women than in men.
- Women over 50 also may suffer from thyroid problems.
- Swiss researchers have discovered that smoking could significantly increase the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Thyroid Disorders: Prevention
What is the best way to take care of the thyroid?
There is not much to do apart from taking iodized salt if you live in altitude (to compensate for the lack of iodine in food) or if you never eat fish, for example. But there is no special diet for the thyroid. Some supplements containing tyrosine (an amino acid that is used for the synthesis of thyroid hormones) are freely available. Still, they have no interest shown in the thyroid; they can even be toxic if taken in excess (like vitamin supplements, for that matter). Indeed, tyrosine is not an essential amino acid (to be absorbed in the diet), but the body synthesizes it.
In the past, doctors gave us iodine to the thyroid gland, two times a year. Why doctors today are no longer the same?
Because in the past, no supplements table salt with iodine and the people living in the interior and who ate little fish, hypothyroidism by iodine deficiency were common. And they sounded on child growth and development of their brain. Today, all the salts are used in food or food containing iodine, in sufficient quantities which useful to the thyroid, and you can eat fish even when we do not live near the sea. Moreover, an excess of iodine in the diet can, conversely, contribute to the onset of certain diseases (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, in particular). Then, iodine supplementation is not recommended in developed countries.