| Hypothyroidism is a medical condition that affects | | | | available in foods. |
| millions of people around the world. Hypothyroidism | | | | Goiter for example, a condition associated with |
| results when the thyroid gland, located at the base of | | | | insufficient iodine, is very common in many |
| the throat, produces too few hormones. Many doctors | | | | underdeveloped countries where iodine is not added to |
| refer to this condition as underactive thyroid, because | | | | common foods like table salt. |
| the body needs a certain level of "activity" to operate | | | | So What Does The Thyroid Gland Do? |
| normally. | | | | The thyroid glad produces the hormones that control |
| It is important to recognize that a proper balance of | | | | breathing rate, heart rate, and metabolism of certain |
| hormones is necessary for optimal function. A thyroid | | | | proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. These hormones |
| gland that is too "active", or overactive, is just as | | | | also help with muscle tone, mental alertness and |
| damaging as one that is underactive. This results in a | | | | thinking skills. |
| condition known as hyperthyroidism. | | | | Is Hypothyroidism A Serious Condition? |
| Hypothyroidism can result in many symptoms including: | | | | Many people have borderline hypothyroidism and go a |
| 1. Fatigue | | | | long time with minor symptoms and do not realize they |
| 2. Lowered heart rate | | | | may benefit from treatment. If hypothyroidism persists |
| 3. Intolerance to cold | | | | for a long time people may suffer unnecessarily. |
| 4. Mental slowing or forgetfulness | | | | Symptoms include debilitating fatigue and mental |
| 5. Constipation | | | | impairment in many situations. Many people experience |
| 6. Depression | | | | temperature changes. In extreme cases this may lead |
| 7. Thinning hair | | | | to a severe, life threatening change in body |
| 8. Dry skin | | | | temperature, seizures and even heart rate changes. |
| 9. Anxiety | | | | Behavioral impairment and emotional changes are |
| 10. Other mood changes | | | | commonly seen with hypothyroidism. Fortunately all of |
| 11. Weight gain | | | | this is easily treatable. Patients with hypothyroidism can |
| Often people ignore the symptoms of hypothyroidism | | | | benefit from various treatments including: |
| because they associate them with other conditions like | | | | 1. Supplementation with thyroid hormone (usually T4 |
| stress or aging. This is unfortunate because it means | | | | hormone). |
| that many people remain untreated. Hypothyroidism is | | | | 2. Natural supplements that help stimulate the thyroid |
| easily treated in most cases. | | | | gland. |
| Who Does Hypothyroidism Affect? | | | | 3. Proper diet including supplementation with iodine |
| Hypothyroidism can affect men, women, and even | | | | under the supervision of a trained health care provider |
| children, but women are most often diagnosed with | | | | or natural therapist. |
| this condition. Typically women find they have a hard | | | | 4. Proper exercise program that includes sufficient rest |
| time losing weight when they have a sluggish thyroid. | | | | and moderate exercise. |
| Simply treating the underactive thyroid and eating well, | | | | 5. Stress reduction therapy, which will calm the |
| along with regular exercise can eliminate unnecessary | | | | nervous system and address over- stressed |
| weight gain. | | | | endocrine systems including the adrenal glands. |
| Why Is Thyroid Hormone So Important? | | | | All individuals have to consider their overall body, health, |
| Thyroid hormones are chemicals that the body | | | | and mental status when desiring better health in order |
| releases into the bloodstream through endocrine | | | | to overcome the symptoms and effects of |
| glands. These hormones circulate throughout the blood | | | | hypothyroidism. When they do they can expect |
| and deliver messages to other parts of the body. The | | | | long-term lasting results. |
| hormones associated with the thyroid gland include | | | | If a patient has other underlying conditions, these should |
| TSH, T3 and T4. | | | | be treated and addressed as well. As you can see, |
| T4 has 4 iodine unites attached, and T3 has 3, hence | | | | the effects of hypothyroidism are widespread, |
| the names. When a person does not get enough | | | | however with the array of natural medicines available |
| iodine through their diet, typically hypothyroidism can | | | | to improve thyroid function, and the proper |
| result. Iodine is often added to table salt to help prevent | | | | implementation of diet, exercise and stress reduction |
| this. In some countries, particularly in underdeveloped | | | | there is certainly no need to put up with these |
| countries, problems associated with underactive thyroid | | | | symptoms. |
| glands are very common because iodine is not readily | | | | |