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The thyroid gland is situated in the neck and
can be seen or felt as the Adam’s apple
What to look for
Hyperthyroidism:
weight loss despite increased appetite.
increased heart rate, higher blood
pressure, and increased nervousness, with excessive perspiration.
more frequent bowel movements, sometimes
with diarrhoea.
muscle weakness, trembling hands.
development of a
goitre.
Hypothyroidism:
lethargy, slower mental processes.
reduced heart rate.
increased sensitivity to cold.
tingling or numbness in the hands.
development of a goitre.
Subacute thyroiditis:
mild to severe pain in the thyroid gland.
the thyroid feels tender to the touch.
pain when swallowing or turning your
head.
appearance of these symptoms shortly
after a viral infection, such as the
flu, mumps, or
measles.
If there are problems
with the thyroid gland, (and it is very common), rest assured that
usually it is easily cured. Most problems are mild however it is
always wise to have any symptoms thoroughly checked out to rule out
any other more serious illness. The thyroid produces hormones and
because of this, it impacts upon all the metabolic processes within
your body. The conditions most common are hyperthyroidism - too much
hormone production. And hypothyroidism - insufficient hormone
production.
Although the effects can be unpleasant or
uncomfortable, most thyroid problems are not serious if properly diagnosed and treated.
Causes
Hyperthyroidism is the result of an
overproduction of thyroid hormones. This condition can be brought on by Graves' disease,
an autoimmune disorder
(see Immune Problems) or the
development of toxic adenomas in the thyroid gland which all aid in the production of
either too many or an imbalance of hormones.
Hypothyroidism results from an
underproduction of thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism can result when the thyroid gland has
been surgically removed or destroyed by chemicals or if you are exposed to excessive
amounts of iodide. It is vital that this condition be treated.
Although cancer of the thyroid gland is
quite rare.
A doctor can diagnose hyperthyroidism and
hypothyroidism by looking at the levels of certain hormones in your blood.
Another ways of determining whether you
have thyroid problems is to monitor your temperature. To track your basal temperature
accurately, you must closely follow certain guidelines: Shake the thermometer below 35°C
at night and place it near you so you do not have to move much to get it in the morning.
The next morning, before you get out of
bed, take your temperature via your armpit for 10 minutes while staying as still as
possible. Keep records of your temperature for at least 7 days. (Women should do this
during the first two weeks of the menstrual cycle, as their basal temperature may rise
during the latter half).
Normal body basal temperatures fall between
37.4° C and 37.8° C. If your basal temperature is consistently low, you could be mildly
hypothyroid.
Your doctor may also check for thyroid
cancer.
Traditional Treatment
For thyroid disorders stemming from the
over or under production of thyroid hormones, the treatment is relatively simple and
lasting.
Treating hyperthyroidism requires
suppressing the manufacture of thyroid hormone, while hypothyroidism demands hormone
replacement.
Alternative/Natural
Treatments
These treatments may assist in
strengthening your thyroid.
Chinese Herbs - Several
herbal mixtures may help relieve symptoms in cases of hyperthyroidism: Several
herbal mixtures may help relieve symptoms in cases of hyperthyroidism:
baked licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis)
combination,
bupleurum (Bupleurum chinense) and dragon
bone combination,
or bupleurum and peony combination.
You will need professional guidance.
Herbal Therapies - For
relief from the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, try a combination of bugleweed (Lycopus
spp.), motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca),
skullcap
(Scutellaria spp.), and
hawthorn (Crataegus
spp.) Once again you will need professional guidance. For
relief from the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, try a combination of bugleweed
(Lycopus
spp.), motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca),
skullcap
(Scutellaria spp.), and
hawthorn
(Crataegus
spp.) Once again you will need professional guidance.
For insomnia because of hyperthyroidism,
you could try a combination of
valerian (Valeriana
officinalis) and
passionflower (Passiflora
incarnata) in a tincture and take just before bedtime.
Lifestyle
Aerobic exercise for 15 to 20 minutes a day
is excellent for maintaining good thyroid function.
Dietary Considerations
For hypothyroidism, avoid cabbage, peaches,
soybeans, spinach, peanuts, and radishes, as these foods can interfere with the
manufacture of thyroid hormones. Supplements of
vitamin
C,
vitamin E, riboflavin (vitamin B2), zinc,
niacin (vitamin
B3),
pyridoxine (vitamin B6), and tyrosine
might help boost thyroid production.
However, if you have hyperthyroidism,
eating the foods listed above might help lower your body's production of thyroid hormone.
Yoga - This form
of exercise may help keep the thyroid in top conditionThis form
of exercise may help keep the thyroid in top condition
When to seek further
professional advice
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