Some folks experience chronic fatigue, moodiness, muscle weakness, or other symptoms without knowing the root cause of their problems. They’ve tried exercising, changing their diets, and have even taken daily multivitamins. What gives?
If this sounds like you, it might be a problem with your thyroid gland. Let’s break down what the thyroid is, what it does, and what remedies you can rely on for thyroid conditions.
What is Your Thyroid? Why Does It Matter?
Your thyroid gland is a tiny organ found in the front of your neck. It’s wrapped around the trachea or windpipe and is shaped similarly to a butterfly.
The thyroid gland is one of the major organs that release substances like hormones to help your body’s vital organs function naturally. Your thyroid affects your body temperature, metabolism, appetite, mood, and a host of other bodily processes.
If your thyroid doesn’t function correctly, your body’s hormone levels may become affected and you might experience a number of negative side effects or chronic conditions.
Symptoms of Hypothyroid Vs. Hyperthyroid
There are two main types of thyroid disorders.
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, means your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone.
- hand tremors
- fast weight loss
- diarrhea
- a faster heart rate
- riddle skin
- muscle weakness
- irritability
- nervousness and more
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid means your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough of the hormone. This condition is characterized by symptoms like
- constipation
- depression
- fast weight gain
- fatigue
- dry skin
- irregular menstrual periods
- and even forgetfulness
How to Identify a Thyroid Health Problem
Although both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are conditions related to the function of your thyroid gland, treating them sometimes takes different solutions.
Therefore, you need to know what’s going on with your thyroid gland before you can proceed to treatment or natural remedies.
Determine the Source of the Problem by Taking a Thyroid Function Test
One of the best ways to determine whether you have a thyroid disorder or related health problem is to take a blood test. Thyroid function tests can evaluate the health of your thyroid gland by measuring thyroid hormone levels.
For example, some blood tests will measure your body’s TSH level. If these levels change rapidly, they may indicate a potential thyroid disorder.
A T4 (Thyroxine)Test, on the other hand, will measure T4: the primary form of thyroid hormone that circulates in your blood. For example, a blood test that finds elevated TSH levels and low T4 levels may mean that you are experiencing primary hypothyroidism because of an issue with your thyroid gland.
T3 (Triiodothyronine) tests are similar and can measure the severity of hyperthyroidism or diagnose hypothyroidism. That’s because patients who have an overactive thyroid gland will have elevated T3 levels.
Bottom line: speak to your physician about blood tests so you can determine whether a thyroid disorder is at the root of any symptoms you might be experiencing.
In any case, risk factors such as autoimmune diseases, pregnancy, radiation therapy near the neck or upper chest, or a family history of thyroid disorders may all necessitate preemptive screening for thyroid diseases.
Figure Out if It’s an Immune System Issue
In some cases, chronic conditions that affect the gut could lead to symptoms similar to those from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. If your blood work indicates that your body has a high level of anti-thyroid antibodies, there may be an issue with your body’s immune system, which in turn is affected by gut health.
If this is the case, making dietary changes and focusing on boosting the gut microbiome may go a long way toward illuminating your symptoms.
Thyroid hormone production can also be affected by autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.
Natural Remedies for Thyroid Health
If your bloodwork comes back and you do have a thyroid condition, there are several remedies and solutions you can pursue based on the recommendations of your doctor and your preferences.
1. Adjust Your Nutrition
Your nutrition plays a key role in your overall wellness level, so it can also affect the functioning of your thyroid gland. To ensure that your gut is as healthy as possible, and to boost the functioning of your thyroid gland, try to avoid toxins and unhealthy and inflammatory foods. These can include:
- Grains
- Dairy products
- Alcohol
- Eggs
- Nightshades
- Cruciferous vegetables such as brussels sprouts
- Seeds
-
NSAIDs
By reducing the inflammatory compounds in your diet, you’ll boost your health overall and provide a more stable gut microbiome. With luck, this will maximize your thyroid’s health.
There are also many foods that benefit the thyroid, such as:
- High-fiber foods
- Beans
- Organ meats
- Seaweed
- Blueberries
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
If you suspect you may be predisposed to a thyroid condition, you currently have a thyroid condition, or you are currently on thyroid medications such as Synthroid, consult with your doctor before making any changes to your nutrition.
2. Avoid Goitrogens
You should also avoid goitrogens, which are compounds that can interfere with the normal and healthy functioning of your thyroid gland. They make it tough for the thyroid gland to create the hormones you need for normal metabolic processes.
Goitrogens can be found in several types of foods, like red wine and green tea (these take the form of flavonoids). Other types of goitrogens are produced when you consume certain plants, such as slicing or chewing vegetables.
If you want to avoid goitrogens in your diet, try to avoid certain cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, kale, and more. You should also avoid various soy-based foods like soymilk and tofu.
3. Fasting
For some individuals, fasting if you have hypothyroidism can be effective. By fasting, you can force your body to enter a more stable state of metabolic homeostasis. This helps your blood sugar and insulin levels return to baseline levels, reducing the effects of hypothyroidism.
4. Try Adaptogenic Herbs
Consider trying various adaptogenic herbs, which may help to support the functioning of your thyroid or support other bodily processes.
For example, Maca root, Tyrosine, and DIM (diindolylmethane) can all help to lower cortisol levels in the blood, resulting in better thyroid health. You can add kelp to your diet, which contains iodine, or try eating Brazil nuts, which contain lots of the mineral selenium.
Too little iodine can contribute to hypothyroidism, while too much iodine can worsen existing hypothyroidism. Iodine deficiency is a common cause of hypothyroidism across the world, but the United States has essentially eliminated iodine deficiency by adding iodine to much of the salt sold in the country.
Summary
Thyroid health issues can be devastating if left unchecked. Contact your doctor for blood work ASAP and don’t hesitate to start using these natural remedies right away if you suspect you’re suffering from either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Sources
Thyroid Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Testing & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic
Thyroid 101: Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism | University of Michigan Health
Thyroid Function Tests | Thyroid.org
Differences in food consumption between patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and healthy individuals | NCBI
Various Possible Toxicants Involved in Thyroid Dysfunction: A Review | NCBI
Elevated thyroid stimulating hormone is associated with elevated cortisol in healthy young men and women | NCBI
Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial | NCBI
