Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a common disorder that occurs when the thyroid gland is underactive and does not produce enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is located in the front part of the neck, and the hormone it produces is vital to normal metabolism.

See also :

• Hashimoto's thyroiditis
• Thyroid Disease

Symptoms

A lack of thyroid hormone results in a slowing of the body's chemical processes and metabolism. Hypothyroidism may also lead to serious, potentially life-threatening complications. Symptoms are : fatigue, Depression, Modest weight gain, Cold intolerance, Excessive sleepiness, Dry, coarse hair, Constipation, Dry skin, Muscle cramps, Increased cholesterol levels, Decreased concentration, Vague aches and pains, Swelling of the legs

Home remedies

• Lower your intake of caffeine, white flour products and sugar – Your morning latte and bagel may taste delicious, but this unhealthy combination will only aggravate fatigue and further damage your impaired thyroid.
• Drop soy products from your diet. Dr. Mark Hyman also suggests gluten may have an adverse effect on your thyroid production as well. So dropping wheat products could be positive as well.
• Limit your intake of carbohydrates. It is more difficult to process carbohydrates when you have an underactive thyroid. This will help keep your weight down and give your thyroid gland a chance to produce hormones.
• Get fat : Fat and cholesterol is the precursor to hormonal pathways; if you’re getting insufficient fat and cholesterol, you could be exacerbating hormonal imbalance, which includes thyroid hormones. Natural, healthful fats include olive oil; ghee; avocados; flax seeds; fish; nuts and nut butters; hormone- and antibiotic-free full fat cheese, yogurt, and cottage cheese (yes, full fat, not skim); and coconut milk products.
• Zinc : people with insufficient zinc levels are likely to have an underactive thyroid gland
• Eat lean meat, fish and white-meat chicken as primary proteins to treat your hypothyroidism. These foods will give you the energy you need to get through your day without feeling fatigued and cold---common symptoms for those with hypothyroidism. Not eating these foods may aggravate your condition.
• Try easing out of stress as a foundation. Stress produces cortisol, and cortisol inhibits getting T3 into your cells. Since all these tests are blood level tests, even if your T3 blood count test is okay, your cells could be lacking. This is a tricky area that few MDs know about.
• Go 100% gluten-free. The molecular composition of thyroid tissue is almost identical to that of gluten. So for those with Hashimoto’s, it’s a case of mistaken identity. Eating gluten can increase the autoimmune attack on your thyroid.
• Drink low-fat milk every day and make sure you have other dairy products like low-fat yogurt. Since hypothyroidism often results in slow metabolism, many of those with this condition avoid dairy products. However, the proteins and nutrients in these dairy products are necessities and low-fat milk and yogurt can satisfy these needs.
• Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that strengthens the immune system and is one of the pillars of fighting Hashimoto’s. It can boost your body’s ability to modulate and regulate the immune system, dampen autoimmune flare-ups, and protect and heal thyroid tissue.
• detox heavy metals.
• Be mindful of goitrogens, which are foods that can interfere with thyroid function. Goitrogens include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, rutabaga, turnips, millet, spinach, strawberries, peaches, watercress, peanuts, radishes, and soybeans. Does it mean that you can never eat these foods? No, because cooking inactivates goitrogenic compounds and eating radishes and watercress in moderation isn’t going to be a deal-breaker.
• beans, seeds and legumes helps your metabolism. Lima beans, lentils, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds can help your thyroid become just a bit more active and this will help you complete your day without slowing down and fatiguing.
• Coconut oil helps people with low thyroid function because it stimulates metabolism and boosts energy
• Iodine is the major supplement for boosting your thyroid function. Some practitioners recommend nascent iodine while others say tried and tested Lugol's brand works fine. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, selenium and zinc, omega-3, and vitamin D3 should be supplemented with your choice of iodine as well.
• Natural hormone balancing may be needed to recover completely from hypothyroidism. Avoid the synthetic remedies most MDs prescribe and request something natural, such as a desiccated liver product. The most well known is Armour, but there are others. These are natural products that supply the complete thyroid hormone.
• Animal thyroid extract
• Organic diet
• Natural progesterone cream
• Tyrosine
• Increase omega-3 fatty acids to produce and transport hormones. Without omega-3s, cell growth suffers. Adding olive oil, nuts, avocados, flax seeds, fish and coconut oil to your diet stimulates new cell growth and improves thyroid function.
• Sunlight (Vitamin D)
• Myrtle oil is supportive in cases of coughs, bronchitis, and hypothyroidism.
• Ashwagandha is used for thyroid and adrenal hormone health in Ayurveda.
• Siberian ginseng can be effective for people with either hypo- or hyperthyroidism
• Your body needs protein to transport hormones. Your thyroid uses the proteins found in grass-fed meats, eggs and legumes to distribute those hormones efficiently.
• Supplement with probiotic yogurt or fermented foods for longer-lasting energy and a healthy gut.
• Address underlying food sensitivities. Just like the body’s attack on the thyroid in the presence of Hashimoto’s, the body will also see offending or inflammatory foods as an invader and will up the ante on the autoimmune response.
• Address underlying food sensitivities. Just like the body’s attack on the thyroid in the presence of Hashimoto’s, the body will also see offending or inflammatory foods as an invader and will up the ante on the autoimmune response.
• Do a gut check. A whopping 20 percent of thyroid function depends on a sufficient supply of healthy gut bacteria, so it’s best to supplement with probiotics (friendly intestinal bacteria).
• Address silent inflammation with whole foods nutrition. Systemic inflammation and autoimmunity often go hand-in-hand.
• Address adrenal fatigue. There is an intimate connection between your thyroid and adrenal glands and it’s uncommon to have hypothyroidism without some level of adrenal fatigue. The thyroid and adrenals are like Frick and Frack – so tightly in cahoots that it’s not effective to address one without the other.
• Look at your stressors and practice relaxation. The thyroid is a very sensitive gland and is exceptionally reactive to the stress response.

To Avoid

• Foods : There are also foods to eliminate if you have hypothyroidism, such as those that contain goitrogens. Goitrogens are naturally occurring anti-nutrients in certain foods that interfere with production of thyroid hormones. Examples of foods to eliminate if you have hypothyroidism include:
  • Unfermented soy products
  • Corn
  • Raw broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach, and turnips
  • Mustard, millet, pine nuts, peanuts, almonds
  • Canola oil
  • Peaches and strawberries
• Radiation : To avoid and neutralize radiation as much as possible, consider the following:
  • Limit exposure to common electronic devices such as cell phones and computers
  • For devices that will continue to be used, consider technologies that neutralize their radiation
  • Ask for the thyroid collar. The thyroid is sensitive to radiation, so next time you’re getting an x-ray at the dentist, ask for the thyroid collar. Do not let your thyroid get zapped!
  • When plausible, practice earthing (bare skin touching the earth's surface such as feet) or use grounding technology
  • Consume iodine rich foods that allow radioactive iodine to pass through the body, leaving it unharmed.
• Xenoestrogens are man-made estrogen mimicking molecules that are significant hormone disruptors. These chemicals and disruptors cause imbalances that eventually can cause thyroid related disorders such as hypothyroidism. Examples of xenoestrogens, which should be avoided, include:
  • Plastic containers
  • Lining of canned food
  • Styrofoam cups and containers
  • Cosmetics and toiletries
  • Agricultural chemicals
  • Non-organic meat and dairy

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.