Do you suffer from hypothyroidism?
Then you know what it means to have a thyroid that does not fully perform its function.
Weight gain, a feeling of permanent cold, chronic fatigue, diffuse pain, a confused mind.
This condition is common and debilitating, but there are also natural remedies that can help you overcome this dysfunction.
Contents
- 1 What is the thyroid?
- 2 What is the role of thyroid hormones?
- 3 What causes hypothyroidism?
- 4 What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
- 5 The diagnosis of hypothyroidism
- 6 The treatment of hypothyroidism
- 7 Hypothyroidism effective natural treatment
- 8 Goitrogenic foods
- 9 Tap water
- 10 How to treat hypothyroidism naturally?
What is the thyroid?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the bottom of the neck.
It is responsible for the production of two important hormones:
– thyroxine or T4
– triiodothyronine
These two hormones play a crucial role in the body.
It is important to note that thyroxine can be converted to triiodothyronine which is the most active form of thyroid hormone.
What is the role of thyroid hormones?
To simplify, we can define the impact of these hormones in three specific areas: metabolism, movement, and the psyche.
And in all three cases, they increase their function when everything is normal.
So if your hormone level is low as in hypothyroidism, you will notice a slow metabolism, slowed movements, the slowed psyche.
What causes hypothyroidism?
In developed countries, it is called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or chronic thyroiditis.
It is manifested by an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the gland.
The immune system attacks the thyroid through anti-TPO antibodies or anti-thyroglobulin antibodies.
Iodine deficiency is also the most common cause of hypothyroidism.
Finally, it can be the result of treatment for hyperthyroidism and the drugs used in this context.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
– Sensitivity to cold
Sensitivity to cold is one of the most common symptoms and the reason why hypothyroidism triggers this symptom is in the change in metabolism.
If your thyroid is malfunctioning or your hormone level is low, metabolism is impaired, and body temperature is low which leads to sensitivity to cold.
– A loss of appetite
The cause is the same, disturbing metabolism affects appetite.
– Constipation
Intestinal dysfunction caused by impaired metabolism is the root cause of constipation.
Indeed, if you have less appetite, you eat less, intestinal transit is reduced, and constipation occurs.
– Weight gain
Even if the person suffering from hypothyroidism feels less appetite and eats less, weight gain is systematically noted.
It may be minimal but is always caused by a slow metabolism.
– A depressive syndrome
The depression related to hypothyroidism is often linked to the decline of the psyche.
As we have seen, hormones also regulate the psyche and cognition.
– Fatigue
Fatigue is a very common symptom that can be linked to both a slowed psyche and altered metabolism.
It can also be a side effect of depression.
– Trouble concentrating
Knowing that thyroid hormones regulate cognition, it is not abnormal to suffer from a concentration disorder when the hormone level is too low.
Note that this is also a side effect of depression and fatigue.
– Memory problems
Here again, memory problems can be linked to depression and fatigue, and therefore be a collateral effect of hormonal imbalance.
– Dry Skin
The reason for this dermatological impact is not really known but it is known that hypothyroidism can lead to dysfunction causing dry skin.
– Hair loss
A hair loss and a significant reduction in regrowth are linked to hypothyroidism.
– Brittle nails
Hypothyroidism leads to weakened nails that become brittle and have difficulty growing back.
Other signs can also be noted as:
– Muscle pain and cramps
– Joint pain
– Muscle loss, weakness
– Paresthesias (sensations of numbness, tingling, pain in the extremities)
– Carpal tunnel syndrome (wrist median nerve compression)
– Kidney dysfunction
Thyroid hormones have been shown to act on blood vessels in the kidneys and impair blood circulation.
– Peripheral edema
We talk about myxedema when due to insufficient thyroid secretion.
It presents as very tense edema and a fairly substantial swelling that does not cause pitting edema, the mark of the finger which remains present after pressure.
– A goiter
Goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Some individuals have a very swollen neck at the throat with a hoarse voice due to the pressure exerted by the thyroid on the vocal cords.
– A slow heartbeat
This is called bradycardia.
When the heart rate should normally move between 60 and 100 beats per minute, hypothyroidism lowers it to less than 60 beats per minute.
– A disruption of the menstrual cycle
The patient can notice two changes:
- oligomenorrhea: the cycle lengthens and can reach 35 days
- amenorrhea: a break in menstruation
The diagnosis of hypothyroidism
The first step to take is to perform a blood test to assess the TSH level as well as the T3 and T4 rate.
In primary hypothyroidism caused by an underactive thyroid, T3 and T4 hormones levels are low and TSH levels are high.
This indicates that there is no information returned at the pituitary gland and TSH is produced to operate the thyroid.
In secondary hypothyroidism due to damage to the pituitary gland, tiny production of TSH and the hormones T3 and T4 is detected.
The treatment of hypothyroidism
In truth, the medical treatment of hypothyroidism is sketchy since it only aims to replace the failing hormones.
The treatment generally prescribed is based on levothyroxine which is a synthetic T4.
The latter is metabolized into T3, which allows the production of both hormones with a single drug.
The dose is adjusted until a normal TSH level after monthly dosing.
Hypothyroidism effective natural treatment
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Selenium
Selenium is a trace element that plays an important role in the metabolism of thyroid hormones.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is, as we have seen, an autoimmune disease that significantly reduces selenium intake.
In fact, the thyroid is the organ that contains the most selenium in the body.
Selenium supplementation balances thyroxine, and T4 hormone levels.
This trace element also brings certain benefits because it has a strong antioxidant power that prevents the risk of cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline.
It also has a positive impact on the immune system and can reduce asthma symptoms.
The maximum dose not to be exceeded for a selenium supplement (#ad) is 400ug per day.
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Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha or Indian Ginseng is a well-known adaptogenic herb.
It significantly reduces the body’s response to stress while actively supporting the thyroid.
It manages to lower cortisol levels and balances T4 hormones.
Clinical trials of ashwagandha supplementation have shown a positive result in eight weeks.
Why not try a pure ashwagandha extract (#ad).
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Vitamin B12
Low hormone levels can affect vitamin B12 levels.
Taking a supplement can therefore help reverse the damage caused by hypothyroidism.
It notably reduces fatigue resulting from illness.
Vitamin B12 also provides many benefits such as the prevention of anemia and osteoporosis and protection against vision problems such as macular degeneration.
It also has an impact on mood and depressive syndrome and protects against cardiovascular disease.
The recommended dosage is 300-500ug per day. This vitamin is safe, and the risk of overdose does not exist.
If you want to supplement, go for a vitamin B12 methylcobalamin (#ad) which is natural and more assimilable by the body.
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Probiotics
Some studies note a link between hypothyroidism and small bowel dysfunction.
They demonstrate that a defect in gastrointestinal motility is often associated and can cause an overgrowth of bacteria, leading to chronic symptoms such as diarrhea.
A probiotic supplement (#ad) provides beneficial bacteria that strengthen your stomach and gut.
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Iodine
Iodine is an essential mineral for the production of thyroid hormones.
In fact, people with iodine deficiency may declare hypothyroidism.
And yet, this deficiency is so common that it affects a third of the world’s population.
If you suffer from it, add iodized salt to your diet or opt for a natural supplement based on algae (#ad) rich in iodine.
Goitrogenic foods
Certain foods are known to interfere with the normal functioning of the thyroid.
They are said to be goitrogenic because they can cause goiter, an enlargement of the gland.
Goitrogenic foods are, therefore:
– all soy foods
– certain vegetables: cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach
– certain starches: sweet potato, cassava
– some fruits: peach, strawberry
– certain oilseeds: peanuts
– some seeds: millet, pine nuts
Tap water
A parameter may escape you, but tap water contains fluoride which is an element known to be an endocrine disruptor.
So it upsets your thyroid.
In addition, the chlorine that water contains also inhibits the absorption of iodine which is the main component of thyroid hormones.
It is, therefore, crucial to avoid tap water and opt for natural mineral water.
How to treat hypothyroidism naturally?
Hypothyroidism is a very common condition and very debilitating when left untreated.
Of course, treatment is in order when diagnosed.
But, introducing some targeted supplements can help you restore its functioning and perhaps eventually reduce drug treatment.
The combination of iodine and selenium is necessary for the production of the T3 hormone and may also help Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Ashwagandha, on the other hand, treats T4 hormones while bringing you energy and serenity.
There are ways to treat hypothyroidism naturally with patience and discipline.
Read more:
How to read your THS test results?
How to manage hyperthyroidism naturally?
Great advice here after a friend sent me your website! Would you advise coming off the Levothyroxine (i.e. Synthroid) if I follow your protocol??
Thank you for your kind words.
Suddenly stopping treatment is never recommended.
I advise you to combine the supplements at first then reduce the Levothyroxine over the months to evaluate if the natural products act sufficiently for the thyroid balance.
Wish you the best.