Your thyroid—a small gland in your neck—has a huge impact on your body. It produces the thyroid hormone (TH), which is responsible for several functions including management of your metabolism, heartbeat, temperature, mood, bowel movements, and more, in check. When the thyroid does not produce enough TH, this is an underactive thyroid. A thyroid health issue that can cause a host of other health problems.
Your thyroid pumps out key hormones T3 and T4. The following are ways that this gland affects your well-being, head to toe.
- Your heart: Thyroid hormones influence your heart rate and help control blood flow by relaxing the muscles in the walls of your blood vessels.
- Your fertility: Thyroid hormones influence your menstrual cycle as well. When they are out of whack, you might have irregular ovulation and periods.
- Your bones: The rate at which old bone is broken down is driven by thyroid hormones; when that process speeds up, bone is destroyed faster than it can be replaced—which can lead to osteoporosis.
- Your weight: Because the thyroid regulates your metabolism, an overactive thyroid—or hyperthyroidism—is linked to weight loss, while hypothyroidism is linked to weight gain.
- Your brain: Low thyroid levels can bring on forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and depression.
- Your skin: When your thyroid is underactive, your body stops making and shedding skin cells at its normal pace. Cells build up, causing dry skin. Hair and nail growth slows down as well.
THYROID HEALTH CHECK – KNOW YOUR SYMPTOMS
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can be challenging to detect because the symptoms tend to be vague and common to other ailments. But if you notice more than two of the signs below, you may consider having your thyroid checked.
- Hypothyroidism: Dry skin and hair, forgetfulness, constipation, a rundown feeling, muscle cramps, unexplained weight gain, heavier/irregular menstrual flow, swelling in the face, heightened sensitivity to cold.
- Hyperthyroidism: Irritability, increased perspiration, racing heartbeat, difficulty sleeping, frequent bowel movements, unexplained weight loss, less frequent and lighter periods, bulging eyes, shaky hands.
KEEP YOUR THYROID HAPPY
Thyroid health problems can be helped by what you eat.
Iodine rich foods are great for thyroid function. Nutritious options include roasted seaweed- however, don’t overdo it, 1 seaweed salad per week is plenty. Fish and seafood, dairy products, eggs, nuts, iodized salt (also known as table salt).
Chicken and meat are a great source of zinc, which is also another great nutrient for the thyroid.
Berries contain antioxidants that protect against damage from free radicals, which are higher in people with thyroid problems.
Thyroid supplementation is also another option to consider if symptoms do not improve. (CLICK HERE to see our seleno-idide formula)
It is important to note that if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it does not automatically mean there is a thyroid problem. It is important to get your levels checked. If there is a suspected problem, but just as important to avoid self-diagnosing.
For more information, please contact Premier Health and Wellness by visiting the site or by contacting the staff at (512) 459-4405. We specialize in monitoring thyroid levels.
