Treating Hypothyroidism
Treating hypothyroidism involves taking thyroid hormone, which either replaces the thyroid hormone you’re no longer making or supplements thyroid hormone to compensate for the inadequate amount your thyroid is making. What isn’t so simple is finding the right dosage and restoring your thyroid levels to normal, as determined by the TSH test.
There are rare cases when thyroid hormone doesn’t work well, such as a rare genetic disorder called thyroid hormone resistance, of which only 350 cases are cited worldwide.
Thyroid hormone also doesn’t work if you don’t take it properly; are taking medications or supplements that interfere with its absorption; or are taking pills inactivated by heat, which is a much bigger problem than you would think (see Chapter 10).
People with celiac disease (or other absorption problems) may have problems with thyroid hormone absorption, too. In all cases where thyroid hormone doesn’t work well, you will remain hypothyroid and have high TSH levels, which will be seen on a TSH test.
What Is Hypothyroidism?
The health of the thyroid, a gland on your neck right near your throat is vitally important to sustain metabolism and energy levels.
Unfortunately, hypothyroidism threatens the thyroids health due to the lack of hormones that are produced. However, it is a common condition that begins with some symptoms like extra weight gain, lack of energy and flaky, dry skin.
It’s imperative that hypothyroidism is properly treated to inhibit the development of any heart conditions, high blood pressure and continued gaining of extra weight. The weight that is gained from hypothyroidism is quite a challenge to lose, so it’s best to act fast. There are many ways to treat hypothyroidism that do not involve surgery, but primarily involve the proper diet and exercise regimen.
One of the main reasons for Hypothyroidism part from an improper diet and poor exercise regimen is an inflamed gland, which will leave a large amount of the cells of the thyroid dead or damaged.
As such they are not able to product the right amount of hormones. Surgery and removal of primary parts of the thyroid will also cause hypothyroidism. This is largely due to the fact that after surgery only a portion of the thyroid in the patient’s body which may be suitable shortly after the surgery, but for the long term it begins to lose the ability to produce enough hormones to function efficiently.
It’s important to make sure that if your diet consists of many high calorie foods, like cheese, whole milk, potatoes and pasta. When you plan your meals try to create a menu that is primarily green vegetables such as broccoli, kale, romaine lettuce and spinach.
Broccoli in particular is very low in calories in any form whether it is cooked or steamed. The body will need a certain amount of calories per day to naturally function without you becoming tired. Once you have added these vegetable as well as a number of fruits to your diet it will be effective in naturally healing the hypothyroidism.
When you are struggling with hypothyroidism it tends to make you feel very sluggish due to the weight gain and lack of energy. It’s best to make sure you stay in motion every day.
Build an exercise regimen that you stick to. This can usually start with some early morning stretches. Then you can follow this up with a morning stroll. Walking before breakfast gets the blood in circulation and builds an energy boost that the body will soon grow accustomed to if this is consistently done.
With the extra weight that stems from hypothyroidism, it may be a challenge to wake up and immediately maintain the consistency needed for vigorous exercises. Take baby steps by stretching, then build up to getting out of bed and taking a gentle stroll.
One of the key ways to treat hypothyroidism starts with what you decide to consume on a daily basis. Although it’s tempting for people with hypothyroidism to try to get energy that they are lacking from coffee, chocolate and other non healthy and nutrition deficient foods it is harmful for the condition.
It’s important that a healthy dietary regimen begin to slowly take over the person’s life, starting with the reduction refined sugars and high dosages of carbohydrates which turn into sugars. Include a good balance of vegetables, grains and protein.
If you happen to have a dietician, ask for a food pyramid to get the exact recommended amount of these foods according to your age. There must be some protein rich foods will get the thyroid in normal functioning mode.
Consume a consistent amount of nut butters, free range chicken, quinoa and even some fibrous vegetables. As it relates to vegetables, avocados, flax seeds and olive oils are healthy fatty foods that will get the thyroid slowly back to its original function, in conjunction with essential vitamins such as Vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids.
Most hypothyroidism issues are present due to low levels of iodine in the blood. For this reason, it’s also important to add sea vegetables and other types of primary sources of iron to your diet.
Other sources of iodine include asparagus, lima beans, Swiss chard and garlic. The amount of vitamin D from the sun can be taken in naturally with the walking exercises, as well as in the form of supplements.
Omega-3 fatty acids are usually found in walnuts and fish; these can also be taken in the form of supplements for a more concentrated level of it that will affect the thyroid and the overall body every day. The flax seeds and walnuts specifically are the foundation and stimulant for the body’s immune system, thereby making it essential to getting the thyroid back to normal.
The amount of gluten that you take into your diet may is one of the main causes of hypothyroidism. Eating gluten enriched foods such as processed foods and breads will stimulate an autoimmune harmful thyroid attack.
Taking in the right amount of watercress, radishes, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, millet, strawberries, peaches and nuts which will get the immune system circulating the way it’s normally designed to do, without the threat of gluten.
Gluten is a very thick pasty substance that will form the same thickness around vital glands and organs such as the thyroid. The gluten free diet will slowly remove any gluten that you used to eat in the past from your system, so that the thyroid along with the body as a whole can resume its normal function.
How To Diagnose & Treat Hypothyroidism
When a person starts gaining weight or has other troublesome symptoms, one of the first things and doctor will suspect is the thyroid. Perhaps, it is because this small butterfly like gland is to blame for so many problems that can happen in the body.
One of the major hormones it controls is a person’s metabolism. When the thyroid isn’t functioning properly, weight gain is often one of the first signs.
While people want to be diagnosed to avoid excess weight gain, this is just the cusp of the problems an under-active thyroid can cause. As mentioned in chapter one beforehand, here are some common symptoms that usually has persons seeking medical attention:
- Weight loss or gain
- Intolerance to cold temperatures
- Loss of hair
- Change in texture of hair-brittle
- Constipation
- Extreme fatigue
- Unpredictable and heavy menstrual cycles
- Fingernails that are brittle and break easily
- Extreme joint and muscular pains
- Diminished ability to taste and smell
- Harshness or raspy voice
- Swelling of hands and feet
- Sluggish speech
- Stiffening of skin
- Loss of eyebrows
A thyroid that is not working properly can be either diagnosed as Hyperthyroidism or Hypothyroidism. Many people confuse the two because Hypothyroidism is a thyroid that is sluggish and Hyperthyroidism is a thyroid that is working excessively. While both create their own symptoms, it is usually easy to control with the right medications.
It is most common to see a problem of Hypothyroidism in women and those with advanced age, usually over 50. There are many terms that fall under Hypothyroidism, like Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. These conditions are caused by swelling and inflammation in the thyroid’s cells.
There are many things that can cause a thyroid to stop functioning properly. One of the main problems is when a virus, like a respiratory infection, plaques the body. Others notice a change after being pregnant or even after having a common cold. The immune systems itself will attack the thyroid gland and cause it to stop working properly.
Conditions like Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, caused from hypothyroidism are considered to be an autoimmune disorder, because the body is attacking itself. There are numerous conditions that can cause the thyroid to stop functioning properly, a few are:
- Certain prescription medications, especially those used in mental illness
- Genetics
- Radiation used in treating cancer
- Removal of parts of the thyroid gland
- Sheehan syndrome
Typically, when a physician thinks the thyroid is to blame for problems inside the body, they will order a few blood tests. Typically, tests that are ordered are a TSH and a T4 test. These will measure the hormones being released by the thyroid and can quickly tell if there are any abnormalities.
While these tests usually give definitive answers, a thyroid that is bouncing around may be hard to pinpoint, such is the case in Hashimoto’s. Other blood tests can also be beneficial in helping to understand what is going on inside the body and with hormone levels. The tests a doctor may also order are a CBC, known as a complete blood count, as well as a prolactin, sodium and cholesterol level check.
Treating the thyroid is done with hormone replacement therapy. To replace this hormone, most people will need to take a medication for the rest of their lives. The most common medication that is proscribed to a patient is known as Synthroid or Levothyroxine in the generic form. A doctor will start with a low doze and gradually increase the dose to the correct therapeutic levels. When a person starts a medication, it can take one month for any changes to be seen.
Most likely, a doctor will want to check the blood levels ever quarter during the initial phases and while medication is being adjusted. They will have to closely monitor a person’s hormone levels through blood tests until the thyroid has stabilized. It is advisable to have blood work at least once per year to ensure that the doze of medication is within acceptable ranges.
Many people think that they can stop taking their medication once they begin to feel better. The thyroid medication is something that has to be taken or life. There is no starting and stopping this medication. While Synthroid is very well tolerated, anyone that experienced palpitations, weight loss, nervousness, or other adverse symptoms should report to their physician immediately.
Thyroid medication does not mix well with some other prescriptions, so it must be taken on an empty stomach at least an hour in advance of other medications or food. While many take herbal supplements, they should check with a doctor before taking them with the hormone replacement.
When taking the synthetic hormones needed for the thyroid, a person must avoid multivitamins and all other fibre supplements, also iron pills. These medications can act adversely with the thyroid hormone. While those suffering with thyroid troubles have an increased chance of heart disease and infertility, many go on to live normal, healthy lives with no issues.
Staying on the medication and a close working relationship with a doctor makes this condition manageable, but there is no cure for a bad thyroid. If a person who has been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism continues to have problems, they may be more serious in nature like a goitre or cancer, and should be evaluated.
Effective Ways For How To Treat Hypothyroidism
Although the symptoms can be very unpleasant, this condition does not have to be a life sentence as there are plenty of ways to tackle hypothyroidism. Depending on the severity of this medical complaint, it can be treated by your doctor or you may decide to go down a more natural route to ease your symptoms.
- Change Diet
Altering the food that you consume can have a massive impact on symptoms such as chronic fatigue, dry skin and hair, weight gain and depression. By radically reducing the amount of unhealthy carbohydrates that you eat and increasing your protein amounts, your body will automatically be healthier.
Protein has an extremely high thermal affect which means that it requires a lot of energy to break down in your body. This allows you to burn more calories naturally without much effort so that you can lose any excess weight that you have gained as a result of hypothyroidism.
It’s always a good idea to cut down on unhealthy sugary snacks such as donuts, cookies and cake and by actively doing this you will most certainly notice a surge of energy. Try and avoid foods that contain sugar, artificial sweetener and white flour as these can all have a negative effect on health and energy levels.
One of the very best ways to get yourself in tip top shape so that you can actively beat the gruelling symptoms of hypothyroidism is to quit smoking and radically reduce your alcohol consumption. Cigarettes deplete vital vitamins and minerals inside the body and alcohol can act as a depressant as well as making you gain extra weight.
- Eat Little and Often
Rather than eating three large meals each day, try to break your food intake into six smaller portions as this helps to stop snacking on unhealthy choices such as junk food. Eating these smaller amounts throughout the day will keep you feeling energized and healthy.
- Top Up on Certain Minerals and Food Types
Iodine is essential in any diet but even more so if you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and you can find it in a wide range of foods such as seafood, kelp, cranberries and strawberries. Your body also requires extra doses of zinc and selenium and these can be taken as a supplement but it’s far easier to get these minerals from your diet.
Research shows that a substance called Glutathione strengthens the body’s ability to regulate the immune system and strengthen thyroid tissue. This substance is a rich anti-oxidant and can be found in peaches, asparagus, broccoli and other foods. Consuming foods that include this powerful health aid can make a real difference to thyroid problems.
- Increase Exercise
If you have gained a lot of weight as a result of hypothyroidism it’s essential to check with your physician before undergoing any new exercise regime, however in most cases it’s perfectly okay to start walking and doing gentle stretching movements.
Once you have lost some weight you could think about doing something like swimming, cycling or power walking to get the endorphins flooding to the brain. Exercise is a really great way of alleviating anxiety, decreasing depression and generally improving your cardio-vascular health which in turn will treat some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
- Medical intervention
Depending on your individual circumstances you may be advised to take conventional medicine for this condition. Your doctor may decide to prescribe a synthetic thyroid hormone such as Levoxhyroxine and as with any type of medication you would need to find out the pros and cons of taking it such as potential side effects and how well it would treat the symptoms.
Homeopathic Treatment For Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition where body lacks of sufficient thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland secretes the thyroid hormone and in this disorder, the gland produces inadequate amount of hormones. These hormones play vital role in day-to-day bodily metabolism.
When one is affected with hypothyroidism, the metabolism of the body gets disturbed and all the systems slower down their process in one or the other way.
There are many causes that give rise to hypothyroidism. Out of all, there are two fairly common causes of hypothyroidism. Primarily, the condition is caused by inflammation of the thyroid gland. This leaves a large numbers of the cells of thyroid damaged. They are no more capable of producing the sufficient hormones.
Hashimoto’s thyroid is something thyroid gland failure or autoimmune thyroids which is caused by patient’s own immune system. Other causes include broad category of medical treatments.
It may include the damage to thyroid, removal of thyroid glands and other diseased condition of thyroid gland. The symptoms include sluggishness by all means. However, the symptoms are not as sudden onset. Laziness, lack of interest in all routine activity, puffiness of the face is one of the commonest features.
There could be constipation and hoarseness of the voice. If the disease is in advanced state, there will be swelling in the neck region which can be visible from the distance.
There are lot many treatments available for the hypothyroidism in different healthcare systems. Supplementation of thyroid hormones which are lacking in the body remains the major target all the time while treating the malfunctioning of thyroid gland. Homeopathic medicines are also practiced to treat hypothyroidism since years.
Homeopathic medicines are tiny pills and are to be taken with strict diet regimen. Preferably, they are taken without touching i.e. you take the medicines out of the bottle directly into bottle’s cork and take it into your mouth. Many homeopaths suggest that one should give up garlic, onions and many other foods that interfere with the homeopathic medicines.
These all can be taken every hour for up to 10 doses. Another specific remedy to be taken every twelve hours for up to five days is giving Arsenicum 30c. This is been used to treat the disease since years.
Homeopathy also offers good prognosis to cases of hypothyroidism. Some people practice with different approach of homeopathic medicines for hypothyroidism. This includes Calcare phos, Lapis alb, Thyroidinum, Calcarea iod, Calcarea carb etc.
Along with these medications proper diet and nutritional supplement to the body is equally essential for the treatment of hypothyroidism. Follow your homeopath’s advice for diet and other regimen.
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Natural Thyroid Treatment Revealed
As we get older, we tend to slow down; some of us gain weight as we are much less active. Perhaps, we become less active, in part, due to those strange aches and pains we are experiencing. Next, we notice that our hair is thinning and falling out in patches or clumps. We feel extremely run down; sluggish almost, and seemingly, we catch every illness that comes our way.
Are all of these issues to do with getting older? Not all. Some can be; however, they don’t tend to happen all at once. One thing is for sure, plenty of these symptoms can be attributed to hypothyroidism, and we may not associate one to the other, simply because we think it is our body breaking down due to old age.
So many common symptoms that plague those who are aging tend to crop up with hypothyroidism. One day you find that you have a great deal of trouble concentrating and serious brain fog. You woke up in the morning feeling like you just did not get enough sleep, even though you made the effort to go to bed 45 minutes earlier. You are suffering from fatigue and complete exhaustion. Just what is happening? Perhaps you are suffering from hypothyroidism.
The best way to find out if this is the problem is to see your doctor and have a complete physical. In addition, your doctor will be able to run certain tests in order to determine if it is your thyroid that is causing you the problems. Unfortunately, too many of us allow our doctors to tell us what to do.
You should already know what your body is telling you, including what your specific symptoms are. You need to follow up with your doctor and explain what your chief complaints are. If you are not having luck with your doctor, ask to see another doctor or a specialist.
While there are many medications available that can help with hypothyroidism, you should also know that there are many remedies available that are herbal in content and much safer; a lot less expensive than traditional prescription medications; have little or no side effects that will put you under the weather.
While many of the effects of aging can be mistaken or put down to simply getting older and slowing down, it is totally worth investigating the symptoms you are dealing with in order to determine if you suffer from hypothyroidism.
4 Top Thyroid Treatment Options
The thyroid gland is responsible for making the hormones that control the body’s metabolism. They also regulate energy and the way in which the body utilizes other hormone, as well as vitamins. They also influence the maturing and growth of bodily tissue.
If the thyroid does not function properly, this can result in the production of too many hormones, as in hyperthyroidism, or too few hormones, known as hypothyroidism.
When the body has too much thyroid hormone, this can increase metabolism, which is the speed at which energy is used. Along with this comes the chance of other conditions coming into play like heart disease and bone loss. There are three ways that doctors use to combat hyperthyroidism.
1. Medications that decrease the amount of hormone created by the thyroid are often used. This normally involves anti thyroid medications that can usually work for hyperthyroidism that results from a variety of different causes. They are generally safe, including for pregnant women in low doses.
2. Radioactive iodine – This is the most common treatment used and is more effective than medication. The end result of these treatments is damage to thyroid tissue. A drawback to this treatment is that the hyperthyroidism may temporarily worsen before it gets better.
3. Surgery – Sometimes removal of a portion of the thyroid gland or even the entire thyroid is necessary. Many patients will then contract hypothyroidism and must then be treated for that.
When the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone, this is known as hyperthyroidism and it also affects the metabolism. Low levels of these hormones decrease the metabolism, often resulting in weight gain, fatigue, heart disease, and many other symptoms.
The main treatment for hypothyroidism is a drug called Levothyroxine. This is a synthetic hormone that must be taken once to multiple times a day, depending on the variety of the drug that is prescribed.
There are those who subscribe to a more natural way of treating hypothyroidism, believing that taking Levothyroxine is not a viable long-term solution. They believe that drugs don’t fix the problem, but merely mask the symptoms of the disease.
All of the symptoms associated with hypothyroidism are reversible in a more natural way using herbal medicines, avoiding the many side effects of the drug.
The 4th option is the use of herbal medicines and this has been around for years and is still the most commonly used type of medicine. Herbal medicines can provide as much healing power as prescription drugs without the side effects. In fact one-third of all prescription drugs used have some natural plants in their ingredients.
How To Treat Your Hypothyroidism Symptoms Naturally
Health is the number one topic that people continue to explore in our society today. While general health is important, the number one health topics today are cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. While these key issues in health are pertinent since many people struggle against them, there are other health issues that are not as prevalent in general health topics.
Hypothyroidism is a popularly neglected health issues although it affects millions across the globe. While this condition can be somewhat problematic, there are several ways to remedy the issues with a few natural products.
The thyroid is an extremely small gland that is part of the endocrine system of the body. The thyroid works in conjunction with the pituitary gland in order to allow the secretion and regulation of chemical hormones to the rest of the body.
Nonetheless, hypothyroidism occurs when the chemical process does not release enough hormones to the rest of the body, resulting in the slowing of the chemical process that is needed to increase metabolism.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include unintentional weight gain, sensitivity to cold, thickening of the skin, thinning of the eyebrows, extreme fatigue and weakness, depression, decreased concentration, joint pain and or swelling, and brittle hair and nails.
While most physicians opt to induce low levels of thyroid hormones back to the body, there are other natural ways to remedy hypothyroidism. The best way I found to remedy hypothyroidism is to begin with natural products.
Natural products have been assessed to have the least amount of risk and will work with your body’s natural rhythm. Many natural products that will help to promote an increase in the hormones that under active thyroid conditions produce.
These products include L-Tyrosine. L-Tyrosine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in meat proteins. L-Tyrosine also works in conjunction with the thyroid and adrenal glands in order to speed up the chemical hormone process that each of these glands produce.
Another key ingredient that aids in the thyroid’s chemical process is iodine. Iodine is found in many seafood and sea vegetables that many people consume. Nori is types of sea vegetable in which high amounts of iodine occur naturally.
Could an all in one natural product help soothe your hypothyroidism symptoms?
While these ingredients can be taken individually to remedy an under active thyroid, there are products available that have compiled these ingredients that will result in an optimal reproduction of thyroid hormones.
Thyromine is a natural health supplement that contains nori, l-tyrosine, ginger, guglipid, adrenal powder, piper longum, and thyroid powder. All of these agents are essential in the reversal of under active thyroid conditions.
Moreover, all of these agents are 100% natural and are derived from naturally occurring products in the environment or food, thus resulting in less risk from unwanted detergents that may counteract against the body’s natural rhythm. Not only can Thyromine consumers see a change in weight but can also see their mood increased.
Hypothyroidism can be a serious condition if left untreated, however in utilizing natural products to reverse an under active thyroid, overall health and mood can be improved.
Hypothyroidism Treatments That Work
Treatment for hypothyroidism involves lifelong therapy that starts with a long period of repeated testing and monitoring before the doctor gets it just right. That’s because no two people experience hypothyroidism the same way. Some people respond to lower doses, some people find relief from the symptoms in higher doses.
Hypothyroidism patients can respond differently to different hormones. Some patients even have different responses to the same hormone, but different brands!
Hypothyroidism treatments have to be tailor made to fit the individual patient. Finding the right thyroid hormone at the right dose is the key to getting a treatment that works. But, what are the treatment options available for hypothyroidism patients. Listed below are the medically approved hypothyroidism treatments.
1. Desiccated thyroid tablets
Before synthetic thyroid hormones became available, the only way to treat hypothyroidism in the past was to use desiccated thyroid tablets. Desiccated thyroid tablets are made from animal thyroid glands (usually pig) that were dried, ground into a fine powder, and then formed into tablets.
The problem with desiccated thyroid tablets is the potency of the drug would differ from batch to batch. Patients may receive enough thyroid hormones for this batch, but there’s always the possibility that they could overdose or under dose in the next batch. This type of treatment is rarely used except for cases wherein the patient cannot tolerate synthetic hormones.
2. Levothyroxine
Levothyroxine is the standard treatment for most forms of hypothyroidism. When administered at the right dose, this drug has virtually no side effects. It is also inexpensive, which makes it ideal for lifelong treatment.
Doctors usually start with the lowest possible dose and increase the dosage gradually until the effects are seen and the symptoms subside. After finding the lowest possible effective dose, patients still have to be monitored regularly to watch out for side effects of levothyroxine overdose.
The symptoms for levothyroxine overdose are increased appetite, insomnia, heart palpitations, and shakiness.
3. Liothyronine sodium
Liothyronine is another synthetic hormone also used to treat hypothyroidism. It’s not prescribed as often as levothyroxine for several reasons. Firstly, levothyroxine is naturally converted to liothyronine so there isn’t much need for it. Secondly, liothyronine is a short-acting hormone, so it needs to be taken several times a day.
Levothyroxine is more stable and only needs to be taken once a day, making it more convenient. However, liothyronine is still prescribed is come cases where the patient doesn’t respond well to levothyroxine or they only respond to a combination of levothyroxine and liothyronine.
For all three hypothyroidism treatments, patients have to follow certain guidelines in order to ensure their treatment stays effective and to avoid the incidence of side effects.
Hypothyroidism patients should take their drugs on an empty stomach, preferably an hour before meals, because food can interfere with drug absorptions. Patients also have to avoid or limit their intake of foods and drugs that can interfere with drug absorption, like coffee, soy, and mineral supplements.
Patients should also avoid changing brands as much as possible. If that can’t be avoided, they have to consult their doctor to have their hormone levels monitored and their dosages adjusted.
Finally, patients are often warned to always watch out for symptoms of hormone overdose or recurrence of hypothyroidism symptoms. A patient’s need for thyroid hormones may change over the years, so constant monitoring is needed to check if hormone dosages need to be increased or decreased.
Thyroid Nodules Treatment
Thyroid nodules are abnormal growths located on the thyroid gland. The treatment recommended to patients who have been diagnosed with thyroid nodules will vary from one case to another, depending on a series of factors.
One of the most important elements in influencing thyroid nodules treatment is given by the type of nodules formed. So, thyroid nodules can either be cancerous or non cancerous. When thyroid nodules are benign, or non cancerous, a medical intervention is not necessary required in all cases, and the doctor will be the one to establish the right way to address the health problem.
In case thyroid nodules are benign, treatment options can include therapy or surgery. Still, the first thing a doctor will recommend is to watch the way the nodules evolve. After a biopsy has shown that the thyroid nodules formed are non cancerous; observation will be required to see if they grow larger or remain unchanged. In case the nodules tend to grow, an intervention will be a must.
One way to get rid of thyroid nodules implies thyroid hormone suppression therapy, which takes the form of a pill. However, these pills based on levothyroxine, a hormone which is believed to stimulate the growth of thyroid tissue, have not been proved to have positive effects in all cases in reducing the size of the nodules.
The best alternative to this therapy remains surgery. Surgery is mostly recommended in the cases in which the thyroid nodules formed are large enough to cause swallowing or breathing problems, but also when doctors have reasons to suspect that they can evolve and grow.
In the cases in which the thyroid nodules formed are cancerous, the most common treatment involves surgery. A surgical removal of the cancerous thyroid nodules, along with the affected thyroid tissue, is considered to be the best way to overcome the condition.
Anyway, before being submitted to such a medical intervention, patients should know that thyroid nodules surgery supposes some risks, including the damage of the nerve which controls vocal cords. The procedure is called thyroidectomy. After surgery, treatment with levothyroxine based products will most likely be required to sustain the production of the thyroid hormone in normal amounts.
Modern Medicine Techniques In The Treatment For Thyroid Disease
The many different complications that can result from an impaired or non-functioning thyroid gland may require medical solutions that can include treatment for thyroid cancer depending on the condition.
Located below the Adam’s apple, the gland is in the shape of a butterfly and features two lobes. The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system in a person’s body and the main function is to regulate metabolism.
In addition, the thyroid also manages how the body responds to hormones and produces proteins. To accomplish these tasks, the thyroid manufactures a number of hormones to regulate how the body functions.
The most common of these hormones are thyroxine, T4, and triiodothyronine, T3, and the majority of dysfunctions in the gland will require treatment of thyroid hormone levels.
To make these hormones, the thyroid uses spherical follicles to absorb the iodine present in the blood stream, accumulating 25% of the iodine in a person’s body. Because of these high levels, iodine thyroid treatments have been used to combat the various thyroid problems.
There are two main problems commonly found in the thyroid gland: hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. In the case of the former, the gland produces too many hormones and for the latter, not enough hormones is created. These conditions can be the root problem for a patient or may be symptoms of another condition.
Some common issues that may be the cause or result of hyperthyroidism are Graves’ disease, toxic nodules, hashitoxicosis, toxic multinodular goitre, excessive iodine levels, or certain medications. Some examples of hypothyroidism problems include Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis, acute or silent thyroiditis, and thyroid hormone resistance.
Additionally, cancer of the thyroid can be developed. This condition usually takes one of four forms of malignant tumours: papillary, medullary, anaplastic, or follicular. Thankfully, treatment for thyroid cancer is relatively simple.
Cancer of the thyroid is much different than cancer involving other parts of the body due to the nature of thyroid cells. For this reason, a different thyroid cancer treatment is often used. In most cases the entire thyroid is removed and a series of radioactive iodine thyroid treatments will follow.
As only thyroid cells can absorb iodine, both healthy and damaged remaining thyroid cells absorb the radioactive iodine and are killed. After this process a patient will need to take thyroid hormone medication as the body cannot exist without these essential hormones.
Unlike many radioactive cancer treatment procedures, treatment of thyroid tumours does not have the negative side effects of sickness, nausea, hair loss, pain, or diarrhoea. This aspect should be a welcome relief for patients who have thyroid cancer.
As the majority of thyroid cancers are of the papillary type, prognosis for treatment of thyroid cancer is very good with extremely high rates of success. However, the rare cases of anaplastic tumours generally result in fatality as the cancer has often spread to other parts of the body and thyroid cancer treatment does not cure the problem.
For conditions, other than those involving cancer, most patients find that can lead a normal life by using supplemental hormones to balance the body’s levels. Treatment for thyroid cancer is one of the easiest types of cancers for both doctors and patients to deal with.
Are Natural Hyperthyroid Treatment Methods Safe And Effective?
If you have been diagnosed with a hyperthyroid condition and are considering following a natural hyperthyroid treatment protocol, then you might be wondering whether such treatment methods are both safe and effective.
For those who are concerned about the safety of natural hyperthyroid treatment methods, just keep in mind that there are numerous risks of receiving conventional treatment methods. For example, while giving anti-thyroid drugs is sometimes necessary to help manage the symptoms, these prescription drugs do nothing more than this.
Even though the hyperthyroid condition will sometimes go into a temporary state of remission, the symptoms almost always return. At this point the person will usually be advised to receive radioactive iodine therapy, which is a harsh treatment method that damages the thyroid gland so it will no longer produce an excess amount of thyroid hormone.
Even though some people do need to receive radioactive iodine, it should be a last resort, after everything else has been tried. Maybe it’s just you, but any treatment method that will most likely make someone hypothyroid for the rest of their life doesn’t sound like much of a solution to you. The problem is that many people are unaware that hyperthyroid treatment methods can potentially restore their health back to normal.
Since most endocrinologists and other types of medical doctors label hyperthyroidism as being incurable, most patients listen to the recommendations of their doctors and receive the conventional treatment. I’ve consulted with patients who were asymptomatic when they were told to receive radioactive iodine, as their TSH was low and so they were labelled as being hyperthyroid.
Why Are Natural Hyperthyroid Treatment Methods So Effective?
As for why natural hyperthyroid treatment methods are so effective, the reason is because they do more than just manage the symptoms. Whereas conventional medical treatment does absolutely nothing to get to the cause of the disorder, the complete opposite is true of natural treatment methods.
Even though most medical treatments are aimed at the malfunctioning thyroid gland, the fact is that in most cases of hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland isn’t the direct cause of the disorder. This is why anti-thyroid drugs and RAI don’t cure the condition.
In most cases, another area of the body is causing the thyroid gland to become overactive and to produce an excess amount of thyroid hormone. This is why it’s important to consult with a competent natural endocrine doctor, rather than try to self-treat your condition using nutritional supplements and herbs, which many people try to do.
A good holistic doctor who has a lot of experience dealing with thyroid conditions will not only look at the standard thyroid blood tests that most medical doctors recommend, but will also advise the patient to receive additional tests that will help determine the cause of the condition. Examples of these tests include an Adrenal Stress Index (ASI), male or female hormone panel, tests for nutritional deficiencies, hair analysis, as well as other tests.
Once they determine the cause of the hyperthyroid condition, a natural endocrine doctor will put together an individualized treatment plan. This will usually consist of changes in one’s diet, addressing nutritional deficiencies using certain supplements and whole foods, sometimes taking herbal remedies, and there are other components that will help in restoring the person’s health back to normal.
Of course not everyone can be cured through a natural hyperthyroid treatment protocol. Although, most people with hyperthyroidism can benefit and will receive great results (assuming they follow the recommendations of their doctor), it is important to understand that this is an active process and does require some commitment on the part of the patient.
In other words, those looking for a quick solution or a miracle cure will be greatly disappointed. On the other hand, those who are willing to take responsibility for their health will most likely be pleasantly surprised as to how safe and effective natural hyperthyroid treatments can be.
Natural Hypothyroidism Treatment
There are many people suspected of having and diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. Nearly all people prefer a natural hypothyroidism treatment pathway. The good news is that prescription medications are not the only treatment avenue available. There a number of effective, natural hypothyroidism treatment options and they are available to everyone.
Research has shown that prescription medication administered to treat thyroid disorders can produce unwanted side -effects. In mild or subclinical cases, these synthetic drugs can be completely ineffective and often counterproductive as hypothyroidism treatment options.
It is vitally important that hypothyroidism is accurately diagnosed. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with the disorder then it is recommended that a visit to your Doctor is arranged.
If you suspect having or are diagnosed with mild hypothyroidism you may choose not to treat the symptoms and instead monitor your condition over a period of time.
While prescription medication can be both unnecessary and possibly damaging if taken at the subclinical phase of the condition, natural treatments present a safe and effective option to combat the symptoms early on.
Natural remedies for treating hypothyroidism have been seen to yield considerable results. These treatment options tend to be derived from herbs or from natural sources, and have been known to positively impact the function of both the thyroid and the body.
Some key, natural nutrients include;
1. Adrenal Powder from Bovine: supports adrenal gland function
2. Ginger: has been used as a digestive aid for centuries. It may also be useful for soothing joints and muscles, and help to support and maintain cholesterol levels.
3. Selenium: is one nutrient that is vitally important for the production and conversion of thyroid hormones. Selenium plays a supporting role in the conversion of T4 (most prevalent hormone) to T3 (most active hormone). Selenium also helps with your body’s natural production of glutathione, a powerful and extremely important antioxidant. 4. Guglipid: is as extract from the Gugal tree that has been used in Ayervedic Medicine (practiced in India for nearly 3000 years to support overall health, weight management and lipid (fat) levels in the body.
5. Nori: is a seaweed or sea vegetable commonly eaten throughout the world. All sea vegetables are high in minerals, particularly Iodine. Iodine is essential to thyroid health. Nori also has a very high vitamin C content, almost 1.5 x that of oranges.
6. Piper Longum: is the Long Pepper that acts as a powerful stimulant for the respiratory and digestive systems
7. Thyroid Powder from Bovine: supports thyroid health and function
8. L-Tyrosine: is naturally occurring amino acid which helps make neurotransmitters that support brain and nervous system function. It also supports normal blood pressure. Tyrosine is required for synthesis of thyroid hormones 9. Zinc (Picolinate): required for thyroid hormone creation, overall growth and development
10. L-Phenylalanine: plays an important role in thyroid function.
11. Copper, Managanese, Molybdenum; trace elements closely tied to thyroid function
12. Vitamins B1, B2, and B3 & B5: used in energy production, mood stabilisation and nervous system function
13. Vitamins B6, B12 & Folic Acid: important to nervous system function and for heart disease prevention
14. Coconut oil: Coconut oil is embodied primarily of medium chain fattening acids which expands metabolism by uprooting stretch on the pancreas and pushes weight reduction incorporating fitting working of the thyroid and catalysts frameworks.
Synthroid Medication For Hypothyroid Treatment
Synthroid medication is the most widely used of all hypothyroid medication. Thyroid hormones play a vital role in our body’s chemical constituency. When the thyroid glands are under active, they do not secrete enough thyroid hormones, bringing about an imbalance. This under active condition of thyroid glands is called hypothyroidism.
To treat hypothyroidism, levothyroxine sodium is used. The drug synthroid is a synthetic or artificial thyroid hormone and the pharmacology for hypothyroidism is probably as old as the disease itself. Though the prescription synthroid is not the only T4 type drug, it has, however, monopolized the market.
To cater to varying degrees of thyroid gland malfunctions, Abbott Laboratories markets synthroid medication in 12 different dosage levels and your physician will advise you on the exact match for your requirements. The dosage level of synthroid medication is critical and that too much synthroid can lead to complications.
You will be able to recognize the synthroid drug reaction by the following symptoms – shortness of breath, chest pain, vomiting, tremor, leg cramps and diarrhoea. If you suspect over dosage you should immediately seek medical assistance. Therefore, like all other medications, you cannot obtain synthroid without a prescription from a doctor.
When seeking hypothyroid treatment you should consult a doctor that is a specialist in endocrine disorders or an endocrinologist. Even for an experienced doctor, it would take a considerable amount of time to find the right dosage of synthroid medication for you. This lengthy trial and error method of finding the right dosage of medicine is called titration.
The entire treatment process of hypothyroidism is a very slow process. It may take anywhere between few weeks to few months before one can feel the difference in their body or to feel the effect of the medicine. You must be constantly checking the level of thyroid hormones to ensure that your medication is working for you and that you are showing improvement.
Different people react differently to synthroid. Sometimes synthroid consumption may elicit serious side effects. Some of the most common synthroid medication side effects include weight gain, fever, sleep problems, headache and disturbed menstrual periods. Swelling of face, throat, lips and tongue and hair loss are other mild side effects.
Many people report gaining weight on synthroid and this can be a big issue because not only do you have to deal with hypothyroid disease but weight gain as well.
If you want to try an alternative treatment or natural supplement for an underactive thyroid, Thyromine is a good alternative because it has been proven to be effective.
Hypothyroidism In Children And How To Treat It
Hypothyroidism is a disorder that has become common nowadays. It is an endocrine disorder which basically means that the endocrine gland, which produces important hormones, ceases to function properly.
The disorder can affect anyone be it an adult or a child. While it may not be too common among children, hypothyroidism could affect your child in one way or another. When the thyroid gland is underactive, it may lead to loss of weight, fatigue or even constipation.
Here are ways of knowing whether your child is suffering from hypothyroidism and the actions to take when you suspect he or she has the condition.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Children
The thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck, right below the Adam’s apple. It looks like a small butterfly and it produces very important hormones that affect your child’s metabolism. It is these hormones which are responsible for the heartbeat, breakdown of food in the body and regulation of body temperature.
The symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, slow reaction time, weight loss or weight gain, constipation, cold intolerance and muscle cramps. You may also notice that the child will develop a hoarse voice and slow speech. If the child is a girl, she may experience increased menstrual flow. Just like hypothyroidism in adults, children may also develop goitre-like swellings on the neck area.
Causes of Hypothyroidism In Children
There are two ways in which a child may develop hypothyroidism. Firstly, it may be congenital, meaning that the child was born with the condition. Secondly, it may be acquired as the child develops. In some rare cases, the child may inherit the conditions from his or her parents, though genetics does not play a major role.
Depending on how the child acquires hypothyroidism, the treatment method may differ. The earlier you get it diagnosed, the better it is for your child’s health.
Effective Hypothyroidism Treatment in Children
The good news about hypothyroidism is that it can be treated. As a parent, however, you need to look for a good medical centre where your child can be given family-centred care. You should look for a centre that has doctors in endocrinology and diabetes, for instance. These are experts in endocrine matters and they are best-suited to treat you child.
One method of treating hypothyroidism is by using synthetic hormone replacement medication in form of pills. The pills are usually used by both adults and children. If the condition is diagnosed, you can crush the pill and give the baby along with his or her breast milk or milk formula.
For older children, the hormonal replacement pills can be chewed with food or swallowed with water or any other liquid. Just as a precaution, you should avoid giving the pill to your child if he or she is also on calcium or iron pills.
If you suspect that you child or newborn baby is suffering from hypothyroidism, it is recommended that you seek medical assistance as soon as possible. The medication should also be taken dedicatedly so as to prevent further complications.
Thyroid Medications
Thyroid gland is an endocrine gland, which has the purpose of secreting thyroxin hormones, which could take care of the metabolic activities. They are two lobes on either side of the windpipe and the hypothyroidism might result in loss of metabolism, dry skin, hair fall, and infections.
The main function of a thyroid gland is to regulate the food or energy utilized by every cell and every tissue in the human body. The way they regulate the food intake is efficiently used. If they are secreted in a very meagre amount then, the tissues will not be able to get the energy they should get.
Apart from regulating the rate at which the food is utilized by the tissues it also regulates the rate at which the energy is been transformed in muscular or heat energy.
The thyroid tissues present within the thyroid glands are responsible for secreting two types of hormones called as the thyroxin, which is otherwise called as the T4, and the other hormone is the triiodothyronine, which is otherwise called as the T3. Both these hormones are mainly made of iodine and amino acid, which is the very healthy source of proteins.
Whenever the production of the thyroid hormones is reduced then the most common medication used for the treatment would be the Levothyroxine sodium.
The other medication is the liothyronine sodium. The liothyronine sodium is generally used when the T3 that is the triiodothyronine is very low in the level. The Levothyroxine sodium is used when the T4 that is the thyroxin is secreted in very small quantities.
Some of the other brands used for the Levothyroxine sodium are the levoxyl, synthroid and the levothroid. The main brand name for that of the T3 hormone liothyronine sodium is sytomel.
Sometimes, when there is a down time in the secretion of both the thyroxin (T4) and the triiodothyronine (T3) hormones then some of the Euthroid and Thyrolar are used to overcome the loss of both the hormones. The chemical name is the liotrix which is equivalent to both T3 (triiodothyronine) and the T4 (thyroxin).
When a part of thyroid gland is removed by surgery or destroyed by the radiations then the amount of hormones secreted would be very low and you might get symptoms like slow growth, weight gain, tiredness, and your autoimmune condition would be too worse, and hence you might have very frequent infections. To avoid this one has to follow medications containing lithium and amiodarone.
All these chemicals are present in almost all the thyroid tablets but in different consistency. Some might have very low power and very low dosages and some might have very high dosages. These tablets vary not only in consistency of the amount of chemical presence in it but also vary a little in their effects.
Therefore, it is better to consult a medical practitioner to know which sort of thyroid medication is suitable for them and then intake it rather than deciding the medication themselves.
Hypothyroidism And Pregnancy
Hypothyroidism and Pregnancy is a very important topic to address. Hypothyroidism is a relatively common illness in pregnancy. Approximately 2 out of 1,000 pregnancies will be complicated by clinical hypothyroidism. Another 2% of pregnancies will be affected by a mother suffering from subclinical hypothyroidism.
If left untreated, hypothyroidism can be associated with preeclampsia (high blood pressure, swelling and increase of protein levels in the urine), anaemia (a deficiency of red blood cells or haemoglobin in the blood), low birth weight, miscarriage, impaired intellectual development and foetal mortality.
Hypothyroidism can develop before, during or after pregnancy. It also can affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant. If hypothyroidism is diagnosed before getting pregnant it is important to undergo treatment and this can be conducted conventionally or naturally. See Treatment for Hypothyroidism for more information.
If hypothyroidism is developed during pregnancy, treatment should be started immediately. During pregnancy, the dose of thyroid hormone administered may need to be increased by between 20% and as much as 50%. Seeking medical advice before starting treatment is absolutely critical to the pregnant lady.
A woman has a 25% higher risk of developing hypothyroidism after pregnancy if she has diabetes or another autoimmune disorder. This happens because they developed antibodies to their own thyroid prior to the pregnancy, and this caused an inflammation of the thyroid after delivery’. If it is long lasting or permanent, it is easily treated with medication. If hypothyroidism is developed after pregnancy (postpartum), then treatment may be needed.
It can cause infertility in women because it can prevent the production of eggs. A pregnant woman with hypothyroidism is at higher risk for miscarriage. Women with untreated hypothyroidism near the time of delivery are in danger of developing high blood pressure and premature delivery. Babies born to women with untreated hypothyroidism may not achieve their full intellectual potential.’ The ‘untreated hypothyroidism can cause serious problems for an unborn child; so many experts recommend that all pregnant women be tested for thyroid function during the pregnancy.’