Hypothyroidism Help: 2013

Superfoods for Thyroid Problems

Around 27 million US citizens have thyroid problems, way more than fifty percent are undiagnosed. Most often misunderstood, and quite often ignored and misdiagnosed, thyroid health problem risks nearly every aspect of health. Handling it with suitable nourishment is a sensible step in the correct route. Here are a few of a selection of super foods that studies have proved can look after a healthy thyroid, along with some foods to abstain from.

Coconut and coconut butter, or more often known as coconut oil, has long been used as a food and medicine since the dawn of history. As opposed to saturated animal fats present in meats and dairy food items, coconut butter is a raw saturated fat possessing fatty acids which the human body can metabolize adequately and transform to energy rapidly. A study also proves it contributes greatly to control thyroid function.

Kelp is an outstanding, nutrient-dense sea vegetable. It is usually generally known as Laminaria and is consists of an organic and natural substance that enhances taste and tenderizes. Kelp works well like a blood purifier, and enhances adrenal, pituitary and thyroid health. Its own natural iodine can help normalize thyroid-related conditions, like excess weight, and lymph system congestion.

Turkey is regarded as the leanest healthy proteins foods which is less in calories, thereby making it an exceptional healthy food choice. Turkey also possesses selenium which has long been shown to slow down cancer occurrence, increase the immune system, and assist in the metabolic processes of our thyroid hormone.

Thyroid patients really should eliminate the intake of goitrogens, substances that cut the performance of the thyroid gland, and which can also initiate a development of the thyroid. Goitrogens are typically in foods including broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mustard, kale, turnips, and canola oil. Soy and peanuts also include goitrogens and needs to be prevented.

Both copper and iron are extremely necessary for thyroid function, so thyroid sufferers should consider taking time to make sure that they obtain sufficient in their diets. Foods such as organ meats, oysters, clams, crabs, cashews, sunflower seeds, wheat bran cereals, whole-grain products, and cocoa products are all abundant in copper. Food items such as leafy green vegetables, beans, shellfish, red meat such as beef, and poultry are rich in iron.

Accompany your iron consumption with sufficient quantities of vitamin C from foods like citrus fruits, red berries, tomatoes, potatoes, and bell peppers to help make the most of your body’s iron rate of absorption efficiency.

Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is often thought of as being a disease which is easily treated, however in most cases the patient can be suffering from various symptoms for a long time before the disease is actually detected and diagnosed. In fact, if left untreated for too long the results can be fatal. The patient will usually experience several symptoms which can be accompanied by an irregular heartbeat. This can then progress into a coma and then sadly death.

Menopause and Hypothyroidism

In the United States, more than 20% of the women in menopause are diagnosed with hypothyroidism - a sluggish thyroid. Women need to understand the consequences of menopause on the thyroid, as with the increase in age, more women are affected by hypothyroidism. Menopause and hypothyroidism have common symptoms, such as depressed mood, decreased energy and decreased memory, among others. Often these symptoms are taken to be due to menopause, leading to delayed diagnosis of hypothyroidism.

Hormones in women's bodies are balanced delicately and hormonal imbalance occurs during pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. In the time leading up to menopause, the clockwork menstrual cycles may begin to become erratic. This could be because of highs and lows in estrogen and progesterone.

Hypothyroidism, which is seven times more often associated with women than with men, also occurs because of hormonal imbalance. Certain doctors feel that estrogen dominance - excess of estrogen combined with low progesterone - typically occurs in early perimenopause. They feel restricting estrogen dominance prevents complications in perimenopause, including hypothyroidism. In fact, estrogen is required to be counterbalanced with progesterone to avoid hypothyroidism.

Treatment Options of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism - the under-active thyroid is primarily due to the underproduction of the thyroid's main hormone - Thyroxine (T4). This hormone has to be converted to the active thyroid - the Triiodothyronine (T3), by the liver. Then only it can be effectively utilized by the body. Different practitioners have their own ways of tackling hypothyroidism.

Most prescribe Synthroid, Levoxyl or Levothyroxine - the synthetic T4 - for hypothyroidism. This is fine, if women are capable of converting this T4 into T3. For others, who are poor converters, Cytomel - a synthetic T3 - is prescribed to covert their low T3.

Many women do not believe in synthetic hormones for treating their hypothyroidism, and relieve their symptoms with nutrition, exercise, stress-relieving techniques and such natural treatments. Rich nutrition is the basis of hormonal balance.

Rich nutrition should consists of:
* Multivitamins and/or minerals
* Essential fatty acids
* Calcium and/or magnesium

Such essential nutrients, when supplementing a healthy eating plan, support the body's endocrine, immune and other vital systems.

Some doctors recommend using a progesterone cream for treatment of hypothyroidism. Progesterone, which is essential for building many of your body's most important hormones, is also vital in offsetting estrogen dominance, which is one of the most common conditions in perimenopause and hypothyroidism. Application of progesterone cream gives an immediate relief to the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Women in menopause or perimenopause are required to massage about half a teaspoon of progesterone cream into their hands and body. It is advisable to use twice daily for 21 days, to discontinue for 7 days, and repeat the procedure. The cream is required to be massaged on the thighs, stomach, inner arms, and the buttocks. It is recommended that you increase your water intake to avoid dehydration.

Many doctors recommend against prolonged use of progesterone cream after menopause. Short-term use is recommended after menopause, especially when weaning off Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

Hypothyroidism and Weight Loss - Green Tea Extract Increases Metabolism

In a study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was found that green tea extract resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure (a measure of metabolism), plus also had a significant effect on fat oxidation. While some of the effects were originally theorized to be due to the caffeine content of green tea, the researchers discovered that the tea actually has properties that go beyond those that would be explained by the caffeine.

The same amount of caffeine as was in the green tea, administered alone, failed to change energy expenditure in other studies. This led researchers to believe that there is some interaction going on with the active ingredients of green tea that promotes increased metabolism and fat oxidation.

The researchers indicated that their findings have substantial implications for weight control. A 4% overall increase in 24-hour energy expenditure was attributed to the green tea extract, however, the research found that the extra expenditure took place during the daytime.

This led them to conclude that, since thermogenesis (the body's own rate of burning calories) contributes 8-10% of daily energy expenditure in a typical subject, that this 4% overall increase in energy expenditure due to the green tea actually translated to a 35-43% increase in daytime thermogenesis.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms

Iodine is the basis for the extremely important Thyroid Hormone in your body. That hormone regulates everything from your metabolism to your digestion. Because it usually slowly creeps up on you, it is very common to not realize that there has been a change in your energy level, memory, menstrual periods and skin texture. You could even be losing your hair over this one.

How Can Hypothyroidism Be Treated

For serious hypothyroidism caused by tissue destruction, external supplement of thyroid hormones is necessary.

When the condition is caused by lack of iodine in the diet, dietary changes and iodine supplements will be a part of the treatment.

Trouble Losing Weight Could Mean You Have A Thyroid Disorder

A thyroid disorder called hypothyroidism means you have an under active thyroid gland. If you have trouble losing weight no matter what you do, it could be because you are hypothyroid. There are almost 30 million Americans with thyroid disease and women are 7 times more likely than men to have it. Hypothyroid is the most common thyroid disorder and often misdiagnosed by doctors.

You may get this because it is inherited, or because of previous problems, such as nodules, goiter, thyroid cancer, previous thyroid surgery, another autoimmune disease.

This is a condition where the thyroid gland, a small butterfly shaped organ located at the base of the neck, does not produce enough hormone to function properly.

What happens is that it takes in iodine, combines it with tyrosine (an amino acid) and converts it into the hormones T4 and T3. If your thyroid is normal, 80% will be T4 and 20% T3. These hormones travel through the bloodstream, converting oxygen and calories into energy. If this process doesn’t work properly, then the calories and oxygen cannot convert the energy properly and you may gain weight or incapability to lose weight.

The symptoms can include : weight gain, depression, forgetfulness, fatigue, hoarseness, high cholesterol, constipation, feeling cold, hair loss, dry skin, low sex drive, tingling hands or feet, irregular periods, infertility. You may even experience recurrent pregnancy loss, resistant high cholesterol, difficult menopause, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, or mitral valve prolapse.

Do you feel sluggish and fatigued on a regular basis, or do you get bouts of depression and sadness? Are you always feeling cold, especially your hands and feet, or do you have brittle nails? These are just some of the possible signs of the disease. There may be other causes, but at least this may give you a clue as to why you do not feel well. Check with your doctor in all cases to be sure.

When your metabolism doesn't work right because you have this disorder, you may find that there's no amount of dieting or exercise that takes the weight off. You may in fact put on extra pounds, even though you are doing just what you are supposed to.

What can you do? Meet with your doctor and ask if you need a thyroid examination and blood test. These likely will be a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) blood test, along with T4, T3, Free T4 and Free T3 tests.

A drug called levothyroxine (often called Levo-T, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid) may be prescribed for you. It is usually inexpensive, has minimal side effects, and has uniform potency. However, all thyroid hormone replacement therapies, whether natural or synthetic, have the ability to restore thyroid hormone levels.

Supplements that contain the following might also help:
L-Tyrosine - is one of the amino acids that your body needs to make thyroid hormones. It is included in some weight control products because it works to stimulate your metabolism. It's also an element in helping your brain operate more efficiently which makes you feel better.

Guglipid - an extract from the Indian guggal tree, may improve thyroid function and assist in controlling your weight. Scientists are finding that guglipid lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol, and thus can help somewhat to prevent heart disease.

There is always hope and lots of help out there for you. If you suspect that you have this condition and you are not sure what to do, talk to your physician for guidance and advice.

The Mechanisms And Causes Of Hypothyroidism

By hypothyroidism the body does not get enough thyroid hormone, or the hormones do not work effectively in the body. This causes the metabolism to slow down. When the metabolism decreases, the processes in the body do not get enough fuel and building materials, and all the body activities will therefore slow down. Energy containing nutrient will also be stored as fat, since they are not broken down.

Hypothyroidism Low Thyroid

Hypothyroidism (low thyroid)is a hormone imbalance caused when the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone.

What are the Symptoms of Hypothyroid? The most common are fatigue and intolerance to cold. If everybody is wearing short sleeves and you are wearing a jacket, you most likely have a hypothyroid issue. Other common symptoms are mental instability or depression, muscle weakness and fatigue, poor memory, lethargy and headaches. Still other symptoms are deep slow speech, loss of hair, cold hands and feet, constipation, pale thick skin, brittle nails, and swelling of the face and eyelids. And finally… excessive and painful menstrual flow, nervousness and palpitations.

How to Know for Sure?
You can ask your doctor to perform a thyroid test and/or conduct the following simple self-test at home:

You must first sleep through a full night. (The test will not work if you have gotten up or gone to the bathroom.) When you are awake but still in bed, take your temperature in your armpit. Do this and record the temperatures 3 days in a row. A normal reading would be between 97.8 - 98.2 Fahrenheit. A reading below 97.8 would indicate hypothyroid activity. (Above 98.2 would indicate hyperthyroid activity.) If you are menstruating, take your temperature on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th day of the period.

Causative Influences
Influences which can contribute to Hypothryroidism are malnourishment, and thyroid and pituitary exhaustion due to excessive caffeine, sugar, alcohol and other stimulants. Malnourishment, of course, does not mean lack of food, but rather, a diet of processed, unnatural foods that are not nourishing. Other environmental factors include the consumption of fluoridated water, and pesticides and radiation.

Women Take Note
One out of eight women will develop hypothyroid problems in their life. The condition often manifests between 30 and 50, along with the hormonal changes taking place then. As soon as you enter this age range, it pays to stay alert to this issue. By 'nipping it in the bud' you can spare yourself unnecessary suffering. This is why the regular use of a natural progesterone hormone cream like Prosperin can be very helpful.

Helpful Supplements
1. 2000 - 3000 mg. of kelp each day (kelp is rich in iodine, vitamin B and folic acid.) and/or
2. L tyrosine, 500 mg. twice daily, taken on an empty stomach, and not with milk.
3. Raw thyroid glandular - available from your physician.
4. Prosperine for women, Prosperon for men. To learn the value of natural progesterone creams.
5. 2000 mg. vitamin C, to support the adrenal glands

And as always, avoid stress, rest, enjoy your life, eat a healthy diet, and do all your disciplines with joy, every moment.

Hypothyroidism Creating Metabolism Problems

Hypothyroidism is a condition under which production of thyroid hormone is far less than usual. The purpose of thyroid hormone is to focus on the body's metabolism and when that is hit, it results in slow metabolism. Slow metabolism affects the growth, development and many cellular processes which can have adverse effect on your body. Many people are victims to this disease, women in general bear the brunt most of the times. The increasing age is another reason to be affected by this disease. In early stages of hypothyroidism, there are hardly any symptoms to detect it early on. When left untreated it can cause many health problems including obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.

Hypothyroidism and Why It Occurs

The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland found in the base of the neck that forms part of the endocrine system. It produces and releases the two thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Symptoms of hypothyroidism come about when the thyroid gland slows down or completely ceases to produce thyroid hormones. There are several reasons why hypothyroidism may occur and below are some of the factors that can cause it to happen.

Blood test can determine if an under active thyroid is a result of an autoimmune disease, where the body may mistake the thyroid cells for invading cells and cause the immune system to attack them. As a result the body fails to produce enough thyroid hormones and side effects occur. Such effects of hypothyroidism may include tiredness, weight gain, constipation, poor circulation, dry skin and depression.

Hypothyroidism can also be congenital where the person is born with the disease. This tends to be where the person in question is born either without a thyroid gland or with only a partial thyroid gland.

Another reason why hypothyroidism may occur is if all or part of the thyroid has been surgically removed following treatment for cancer of even an over active thyroid. In this case the thyroid slows down and goes from one extreme to the other.

Other reasons why hypothyroidism may occur is if the body has an imbalance in iodine levels causing the thyroid levels to fluctuate or if the person is taking certain medications which impact on the body’s thyroid level production. In addition, a malfunctioning pituitary gland can also hinder the function of the thyroid gland causing hypothyroidism to occur.

Hair Loss Dont Rule Out A Thyroid Condition

If you suffer from hair loss you might want to make sure that your problem is not caused by a thyroid condition. Although the usual reasons for hair loss are genetic predetermination, hormonal changes, or certain cancer treatments, thyroid hair loss should also be considered.

There are three types of hair loss:

thyroid hair loss
autoimmune alopecia
male pattern hair loss

Thyroid hair loss can manifest in both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. In those with thyroid hair loss, there will be a general thinning of the hair, without the bald patches characteristic of male pattern baldness.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, dry skin, abnormal sensitivity to cold, constipation and depression. If you one or more of these symptoms along with loss of hair, think about getting tested for thyroid problems.

Synthroid is commonly prescribed in hypothyroidism; this medication is effective however, it can produce thyroid hair loss as a side effect for some people. Your hair loss may be due to Synthroid, so speak to your doctor about the possibility. Thyroid hair loss can also occur if you are under-treated. A Thyroid Stimulating Hormone level of around 1-2 is optimal for a large number of people who are suffering from hypothyroidism with no hair falling.

Evening primrose oil supplements are one alternative therapy that some have found to be useful in alleviating thyroid hair loss. Aromatherapy is another which is reported to be effective. Essential oils of thyme, cedar wood oil, lavender, and rosemary can be blended and applied to the scalp to help encourage hair growth.

Ayurveda medicines such as Bhingaraj oil or brahmi oil have also been used to treat hair loss due to thyroid conditions. Both these oils applied to the scalp continuously for at least 3 months are said to aid hair growth. Growth of hair will also be aided by supplementation with the ayurvedic herbs amla and ashwagandha.

The ultimate remedy for thyroid hair loss is hair transplantation. Tiny hair plugs are removed from the scalp's back or side and then implanted to bald portions of the scalp. Results can be seen after several months. This procedure is expensive and is not always covered by insurance providers, but can be worth every penny for those suffering from this discouraging condition.

Blame it on Iodine

If you are seriously trying to lose weight, chances are have tried several different programs. Many of you are still not getting down to your desired or ideal weight. One big reason could be that you are having problems with one little molecule.

Iodine is the basis for the extremely important Thyroid Hormone in your body. That hormone regulates everything from your metabolism to your digestion. Because it usually slowly creeps up on you, it is very common to not realize that there has been a change in your energy level, memory, mentrual periods and skin texture. You could even be losing your hair over this one.

The lack of enough Thyroid Hormone in your body is called Hypothyroidism. There are several things that Hypothyroidism will cause that make you gain weight. First of all, it decreases your basal metabolic rate and overall metabolism. That is the rate that you use up energy. Basically what that means is that the normal muscle tone is lost and your muscles tend to be much more relaxed than normal. Your internal organs that use muscles will also be affected. You will probably notice that mostly by a change in your bowel habits. You will tend to become constipated. Just what you needed!

Muscles need to remain toned to keep your joints in the proper position. So, they will always normally be a little tight. This uses calories (yeah!). Obviously, when they are more relaxed than normal, you tend to gain weight.

Secondly, lack of Thyroid Hormone will make you lazy. At least that is my excuse. hehe.

Dr. Oliver Sacks (made famous in the movie Awakenings) describes one man that had to be helped out of bed in the morning. He was then fed and led to a chair in the corner. In the evening he was led back to bed. During the day he would not even talk. This happened day after day for years! Finally, for some reason, he ended up at the doctors office and was found to be severely hypothyroid. He returned to normal with treatment, but did not even remember all those years where he was a zombie.

If you suspect that you might have hypothyroidism consider these associated symptoms: dry skin, brittle nails, constipation, irregular or heavy menstrual periods (if you are male, you probably won't develop this one), feeling tired and weak, cold skin, coarse, retaining water or thinning hair. Any, or all of these can occur.

You have an increased chance of getting this condition if you have a swelling in the front of your neck called a goiter, diabetes, patches of light skin (not always, but there is a specific condition causing this that also affects the thyroid), iodine deficiency and some medications. Some women develop this as a complication of pregnancy.

If you always buy salt with no iodine, there is a slight chance that you could develop hypothyroidism as a result of the lack of iodine. Remember, iodine is part of the thyroid hormone molecule. Without iodine, your body cannot make the hormone.

When you think you may have hypothyroidism, you should see your medical doctor to get a blood test. One thing that most doctors won't tell you is that you need to be otherwise feeling pretty good during the test. There is one condition called Euthyroid Sick Syndrome that will cause low Thyroid Hormone levels when you are sick. But the hormone levels can return to normal when you get well. So, it is better to get the levels checked when you get well in order to have an accurate test.

Assuming that you have guessed right, your doctor will prescribe a thyroid hormone supplement that will get you feeling better. The only problem at this point is that it is often tricky to get the right amount into your system. You will often bounce back and forth between feeling weak and tired and feeling jittery. But with your doctors help, that should diminish fairly quickly.

The good news is that once your thyroid is in control, you are going to feel much better, have more energy and be back on track with your weight control.

The Thyroid Gland And Its Hormones

To understand the hypothyroidism, some knowledge about the thyroid gland and its hormones is essential.

The thyroid gland produces hormones that accelerate and in other wise regulate metabolism. A part of metabolism is the process of breaking down energy containing nutrients, and using the energy to produce molecules that all the processes and activities in the body use as fuel. Another part is the production of molecules that the body use as building materials.

The Symptoms And Complications Of Hypothyroidism

By hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland is producing too less hormones to stimulate the metabolism or the body is not able to utilize the hormones. The lack of thyroid hormones slows down the metabolism and thus all the activities in the body, giving a combination of many symptoms related to slowness of bodily processes. Hypothyroidism is common, but the frequency of the condition is not well determined. Some authorities estimate that 0.5% of the total American population have the disease to some degree. The frequency is much greater among people over 50 years of age than among young people.

Hypothyroidism Help

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