Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland behind the Adam’s apple, near the base of your neck. Many systems and organs depend on this gland, including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and skin. Thyroid Awareness Month is an opportunity to learn more about how your thyroid gland functions. In this article, you will learn how to recognize the warning signs of a pending problem and the natural thyroid treatments available from EVOLVE.
The Function of the Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is a part of the endocrine system, a group of glands that manufacture, store, and release hormones into the blood. The thyroid gland makes triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) out of iodine from your diet. There must be a constant balance between or a low level of these hormones. These levels are maintained by the hypothalamus and the pituitary glands in the brain.
The importance of the thyroid gland affects your body’s wellness. It manufactures thyroid hormone to prompt the functioning and performance of your cells. Among the vital functions, the thyroid hormone regulates:
- The breathing process
- The heart rate
- Both the central and peripheral nervous systems function
- The body weight
- Strength of the muscles
- The menstrual cycle
- A person’s body temperature
- Levels of cholesterol
- Metabolic process
Hyperthyroidism Symptoms (High Thyroid Hormone Levels)
In hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, your body will produce too much or too little T3 and T4 hormones. The person living with hyperthyroidism will have excessive amounts of T3 and T4 in their system. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- Feelings of anxiety
- Moodiness or irritability
- Loss of weight
- Feelings of nervousness
- Excessive hyperactivity
- High-temperature sensitivities or sweating
- Trembling hands
- Loss of hair
- Menstrual periods that are light or miss
Hypothyroidism Symptoms (Low Thyroid Hormone Levels)
A hypothyroid person doesn’t produce enough T3 or T4 in his or her body.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Sleeping problems
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Increased weight
- Hair and skin that is dry
- Feelings of depression
- A person’s sensitivity to cold temperature
- Heavily populated periods
- Pain in the joints and muscles
12 Tips for Healthy Thyroid Function
- Don’t let stress interfere with the thyroid’s proper functioning. Activities such as Yoga, Meditation, Tai Chi, and relaxing music can help reduce stress.
- Avoid consuming too much caffeine, as this can have a negative effect on your thyroid.
- It is important to exercise regularly for at least 20 minutes to maintain a healthy thyroid. Maintaining weight in hypothyroidism requires a good jog or a good walk in your local park. Do at least 45 minutes of brisk walking. Warm up before you begin your exercise routine.
- Practice breathing exercises – try breathing in through your nose and pushing out through your mouth. This is very important for the body to rejuvenate itself.
- Swimming, cycling, hiking, and dancing are excellent aerobic exercises that may help maintain a healthy thyroid. If possible, aerobic exercise should be done 4-5 days a week.
- Alcohol can cause thyroid problems and may also interact with thyroid medications.
- When you deal with thyroid issues, having a positive outlook is just as important. Try to educate yourself and others. Learn about thyroid diseases by reading literature and watching educational videos.
- Rest for at least 8-9 hours per day. Make sure to go to bed early and rise early to allow yourself enough time for a proper workout in clean surroundings.
- Since thyroid problems can lead to calcium deficiency, ergonomics of the body is crucial. In addition to muscle weakness and joint pain, there is a greater chance of a stroke.
- The right posture is as important as exercising, eating healthy, and taking supplements. Muscle problems can also arise from long working hours in the office due to muscular spasms, muscle tension, or in worst cases, muscle weakness.
- Avoid bending your neck for long periods if you suffer from neck pain. Keep the neck straight while sitting in front of your computer or laptop.
- When lifting things, keep your back straight. Do not put pressure on your neck.
Natural Thyroid Hormone Treatments
A natural thyroid preparation is normally derived from animals such as pigs, cows, and sheep. Before levothyroxine was available, desiccated thyroid was the only treatment for hypothyroidism.
Among the most common desiccated thyroid extracts, Armour Thyroid is naturally derived from animal (usually pig) thyroid gland. It contains both triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) and is used to treat hypothyroidism.
At EVOLVE, we provide our patients with a few options for oral thyroid hormone treatments, including:
- Armour Thyroid 120mg (2 grain)
- Armour Thyroid 180mg (3 grain)
- Armour Thyroid 240mg (4 grain)
- NP-Thyroid 120mg (2 Grain)
Learn more about NP-Thyroid here.
The thyroid plays an integral part in the human body. The implications of a lower or higher thyroid function can have damaging effects on the human body. Knowing how to maintain a healthy thyroid function will help you maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Getting a Thyroid Function Test by EVOLVE
A thyroid function test is a collective term for blood tests used to check thyroid function. TFTs may be requested if a patient is thought to suffer from hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism or to monitor the effectiveness of either thyroid suppression or hormone replacement therapy.
For just $99, our knowledgeable team can get you scheduled for a thyroid function test, which includes level checks for:
- T3
- Free T3
- T4
- Free T4
- TSH
- and Prolactin.
If you have questions about this test or the treatments we offer, schedule a call with Patient Care @EVOLVE!
