For as long as I can remember, my mother has been struggling with her thyroid health. She suffered from all of the normal symptoms - weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, fatigue, etc. These frustrating traits were starting to impact both her physical and mental health the longer they continued and the worse they got but were always attributed to other health concerns. A few years ago, however, my mother was fed up with these symptoms, so she decided to do her own research. Knowing our family history of thyroid problems, my mother looked online and found that almost all of her symptoms sounded like something called hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid gland. Armed with new info to bring to her doctor, they ran some tests and determined that she was in fact, suffering from hypothyroidism. Nowadays, my mom is taking thyroid medications to help alleviate some of her symptoms, but I always wondered what her life would be like if she had never done the research into her thyroid health.
The first step she took, should be the first step everyone takes - start with recognizing the signs and symptoms of thyroid conditions.
A member of the endocrine system, the thyroid gland, which is shaped like a butterfly and located at the front of the neck just below the Adam's apple, plays a role in controlling heart rate, metabolism, muscle, and digestive function, brain development, and bone health. It does this by releasing a steady amount of thyroid hormones(Triiodothyronine or T3, and Tetraiodothyronine, also called thyroxine or T4) into the bloodstream as the body needs it. These hormones are created from iodine extracted from our diets. We use these thyroid hormones for energy and for basic human functions such as regulating body temperature, breath and heart rate, cholesterol, and the nervous system. Certain instances require more of these hormones to be released such as pregnancy or being exposed to extreme cold.
When healthy and working properly, the typical thyroid function essentially works like this:
This process occurs in a healthy, balanced body, with a properly functioning thyroid gland. When thyroid hormone levels are out of wack, or a miscommunication between the HPT axis occurs, some serious health problems could start to arise.
When triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels become too high or low, the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, or the thyroid gland itself become damaged, the following thyroid disorders can occur:
Hyperthyroidism- Hyperthyroidism occurs because your body is producing too much thyroxine. According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid include:
There could be several reasons that your body could produce too much T4, including:
Hypothyroidism - Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is the opposite of hyperthyroidism, wherein the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones. The Mayo Clinic says that those with hypothyroidism may experience the following symptoms:
These symptoms usually develop over a number of years and may be attributed to other health concerns or age, making hypothyroidism slightly more difficult to catch and treat. One may develop hypothyroidism for a number of reasons including:
Hashimoto's thyroiditis - Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system produces antibodies that attack the thyroid gland and cause swelling and inflammation. The thyroid gland then produces less T3 and T4, leading to hypothyroidism.
Thyroid surgery- Some individuals need to have part of or all of the thyroid gland removed, thus preventing the gland from producing the necessary thyroid hormones. These individuals often have to take supplemental hormones for the rest of their life.
Radiation treatments - According to the Mayo Clinic, "radiation used to treat cancers of the head and neck can affect your thyroid gland and may lead to hypothyroidism."
Certain medications - Certain medications such as lithium have been linked to low levels of hormones being produced by the thyroid gland.
Over-response to hyperthyroidism treatment - Sometimes those with hyperthyroidism are given radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications to slow the overproduction of thyroid hormones. After the thyroid returns to normal, however, treatment can go too far and permanently cause hypothyroidism.
If you believe that you are experiencing signs or symptoms of a thyroid problem, talk to your doctor about getting tested and possible treatment options. They will likely order a blood test to test for thyroid hormones levels in the blood. This test is referred to as a thyroid function test, and tests for both thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine in the blood. According to the National Health Service, "A high level of TSH and a low level of T4 in the blood could mean you have an underactive thyroid. If your test results show raised TSH but normal T4, you may be at risk of developing an underactive thyroid in the future."
If you're at risk of developing a thyroid disease or have already been diagnosed with one, there are changes you can make to your routine and treatment options available that can help support healthy thyroid function and a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your healthcare provider before adding any dietary supplement or medication to your routine to prevent unwanted interactions with preexisting conditions or medications.
Change up Your Diet - Eating a well-balanced, healthy meal is good for anyone, but especially if you want to support your thyroid health. The foods you should eat and avoid vary depending on if you have an overactive or underactive thyroid.
If your thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism) try adding these foods to your diet:
You should AVOID foods high in iodine, gluten, soy, and caffeine if you have an overactive thyroid, according toHealthline.
If your thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism) it is just as important to add foods high in zinc and selenium to your diet as those with an overactive thyroid. The main difference is
iodine intake. Those with an underactive thyroid may also have low iodine levels, so adding these foods may benefit thyroid health and function:
Those with hypothyroidism should AVOID:
You can also check out the Top 10 Super Foods for a Healthy Thyroid that plays an essential role in your thyroid health.
There are certain supplements and vitamins that you can add to your routine to help support both a healthy lifestyle and healthy thyroid function! If you're looking to add a thyroid support supplement to your routine, always talk to your doctor first, and look for the following ingredients:
Your doctor may recommend further medical treatments to support your thyroid and overall health. Those who have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid are usually prescribed a synthetic thyroid hormone medication. According to the Mayo Clinic, "This oral medication restores adequate hormone levels, reversing the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism." For those who have been diagnosed with an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism, there are several treatment options that you and your doctor may discuss:
Radioactive iodine - In this treatment, radioactive iodine is taken orally to shrink the size of the thyroid gland. Results are usually seen within several months.
Anti-thyroid medications - Medications like methimazole and propylthiouracil work by preventing the thyroid gland from producing excessive amounts of thyroid hormones.
Surgery (thyroidectomy) - Certain individuals that cannot handle anti-thyroid medications or radioactive iodine ingestion may be candidates to have part of their thyroid gland surgically removed. There are normal surgical risks involved with this procedure, but also the fact that after the removal, medication needs to be taken every day in order to maintain normal hormone levels.
Or, you can always resort to some lifestyle changes that can help you maintain thyroid health.
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