Hypothyroid. Do you have it?

/

The thyroid gland secretes hormones that regulates almost every cell in our body. It regulates our metabolism, our sex hormones, our mood etc. 

Women are more likely than men to have thyroid disease. One in eight women will develop thyroid problems during her lifetime especially after giving birth or during perimenopause.

When you are hypothyroid you do not make enough thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) to meet your body needs. Although hypothyroidism is very common unfortunately it is still underdiagnosed.

Symptoms of hypothyroid are:

  • bowel movement less than once a day

  • feeling run down

  • feeling tired

  • feeling sluggish

  • poor memory

  • feeling depressed

  • weight gain

  • PMS

  • thin brittle nails

  • palpitations

  • headaches, migraines

  • cold hands and feet

  • slow heart rate

  • brain fog

  • family history of thyroid problems

  • infertility, miscarriage

  • low sex drive

  • heavy periods

  • dry skin

  • hair loss

What is causing thyroid dysfunction?

Hashimoto autoimmune thyroiditis

Environmental toxin

Cosmetics

Iodine deficiency

Cancer or tumour on the pituitary gland

Chronic stress

Poor diet

Thyroid surgery or radiation therapy

Genetics

Goitrogens

Finding out what is causing thyroid dysfunction is the first step to healing. There are different ways to heal your thyroid dysfunction from medication, nutrition, herbal medicine. A very common reason for hypothyroidism is celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Unfortunately many people do not know that they suffer from gluten sensitivity because they do not have any symptoms all. Many suffers for many years with leaky gut, not realising that they do not absorb crucial nutrients such as Vitamin A,D,E, K,B12, folate, iron until they get diagnosed with hypothyroidism, osteoporosis or even cancer. If you suffer from hypothyroidism you should be tested for celiac or gluten sensitivity. Removing gluten from your diet may reverse your thyroid issues.

When you want to support your thyroid, changing your diet is essential. I am not talking about massive overnight changes, but small step-by-step changes, which you can stick to. 


4 THYROID SUPPORTING NUTRIENTS

Whilst, it is absolutely critical to touch base with your doctor and an endocrinologist for a  thyroid management strategy, nutrition is wonderful non invasive way to support your thyroid. 

Several micronutrients can alter your thyroid balance. I would always start with food sources as blood tests are needed before taking certain supplements. (Iron, Iodine, Vitamin D in this case).

  • Zinc found in oysters, red meat, poultry, pumpkin seeds, beans, chickpeas, lentils, pine nuts, cashews and almonds. is important for the conversion of T4 to T3.

  • Iodine - found in prawns, seaweed, seafood and shellfish, eggs and iodised salt. Our thyroid has the biggest demand for iodine as iodine is a building block of Thyroid hormone. Iodine deficiency can contribute hypothyroidism!

  • Selenium - another mineral found in Brazil nuts, pork, poultry, eggs, tuna and other fish. Selenium is a key nutrient that protects your thyroid from free radicals.

  • Iron - essential nutrient for thyroid hormone production

  • Vitamin D - the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is needed for healthy hormone function (including thyroid hormones). Food sources are liver, herring, sardines, eggs and cod but sunshine is still the best way to get vitamin D.