Thyroid disorders are conditions that affect the thyroid gland, which is a butterfly-shaped gland in front of the neck. There are specific kinds of thyroid disorders that include:

Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
Goiter
Thyroid Nodules
Thyroid Cancer
Epidemiology, Incidence, and Prevalence
It has been estimated that about 42 million people in India suffer from thyroid diseases.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone. It can develop from problems within the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, or hypothalamus. 

Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include:

Fatigue
Poor concentration or feeling mentally "foggy"
Dry skin
Constipation
Feeling cold
Fluid retention
Muscle and joint aches
Depression
Prolonged or excessive menstrual bleeding in women
Common Causes of Hypothyroidism

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the thyroid gland)
Thyroid hormone resistance
Other types involving inflammation of the thyroid, such as acute thyroiditis and postpartum thyroiditis
Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism refers to the excessive production of thyroid hormone, a less common condition than hypothyroidism. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism are usually related to increased metabolism. In mild cases, there may not be apparent symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include:

Tremors
Nervousness
Fast heart rate
Fatigue
Intolerance for heat
Increase in bowel movements
Increased sweating 
Concentration problems
Unintentional weight loss
Common causes of hyperthyroidism

Graves' disease
Toxic multinodular goiter
Thyroid nodules that overexpress thyroid hormone (known as "hot" nodules) 
Abnormal secretion of TSH
Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland)
Excessive iodine intake
Goiter: A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland, regardless of cause. A goiter may be associated with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or a normal thyroid function. 

Thyroid Nodules: Nodules are lumps or abnormal masses in the thyroid. Nodules can be caused by benign cysts, benign tumors, or less commonly, by cancers of the thyroid. If nodules are excessively large, they may cause symptoms related to compression of nearby structures. 

Thyroid Cancer: Thyroid cancer is more common among adult women than men or youth. About 2/3rd of cases occur in people under age 55. There are different kinds of thyroid cancers depending upon the specific cell type within the thyroid that has become cancerous. Most cases of thyroid cancer have a good prognosis and high survival rates, especially when diagnosed in its early stages.

Investigations

Blood tests are done to measure levels of thyroid hormones. Blood tests are also done to identify antibodies against thyroid tissue, such as titers of antithyroglobulin, antithyroperoxidase, or TSH receptor-stimulating antibodies.

Treatment

Thyroid disorders can be treated with medications or, in some cases, surgery. The treatment will depend on the particular disease of the thyroid.Medications can be given to replace the missing thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism. Synthetic thyroid hormone is given in pill form by mouth. When hyperthyroidism is present, medications can be used to decrease the production of thyroid hormone or prevent its release from the gland. 

Thyroid Disorder - What All Should You Know 

If you are suffering from hypothyroidism, it is important for you to deal with the condition so that your daily life and activities do not get affected. Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland becomes under active and does not produces sufficient amount of hormones. This affects the metabolism rate of your body. Hypothyroidism has several symptoms which include fatigue, constipation, dry skin, muscle cramping, hoarse voice, depression, sudden gain of weight and brittle hair and fingernails.

Here are some important tips which you should follow in order to deal with hypothyroidism and for its treatment:

Go Gluten and A1 Casein free: Common allergies and food intolerance, which occur today are because of wheat and dairy products because of the hybridized proteins of A1 casein and gluten. These may lead to a leaky gut, as a result of which inflammation of the thyroid gland takes place. This affects the thyroid s functioning. You should avoid grain and gluten in your diet. Try to consume dairy products coming from A2 cow s milk.
Avoid BPA: Bisphenol A or BPA is present in plastic bottles. These are capable of disrupting the endocrine system and also affect the thyroid gland. You should avoid drinking from plastic bottles and drink water from glass, stainless steel and plastic bottles which are BPA free.
Check your iodine levels: In case your iodine levels are low, you should use an organic liquid supplement. Kelp is ideal for this purpose.
Heavy metal detox: You need to detoxify your body and eliminate traces of harmful metals from your organs and cells. For this, you may use a combination of milk, turmeric, chlorella, cilantro and thistle, which are ideal for a metal detox.
Increase your selenium intake: It is important for you to consume sufficient amounts of selenium in your everyday diet, but you should not consume them in excess. You should eat food items containing selenium in good amount such as salmon, sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, mushrooms, onions and beef.
Take adaptogen supplements: You should lower your cortisol levels and improve thyroid functioning by taking supplements such as tulsi and ashwaganda.
Remove silver fillings: If you have amalgam fillings, you should consult a dentist and get the fillings removed.
Lower your carbohydrate intake: You also need to reduce the amount of sugar and grains in your regular diet. Instead, take healthy fats. Consuming too much carbohydrates leads to increased estrogen, which affects thyroid negatively. Choose healthy fats like coconut oils, avocado, wild salmon, hemp seeds and flax seeds. These will help in balancing your hormone levels.
Hypothyroidism usually occurs from common causes such as toxicity due to radiation and metal exposure, deficiency of iodine and selenium, food intolerance and hormonal imbalance due to stress and excess carbohydrates.

Hypothyroidism - 8 Tips To Help You Deal With It!

10 symptoms that signal hypothyroidism

When your thyroid malfunctions, you may face difficult health issues. Hypothyroidism leads to excessive weight gain and a lot of other medical ailments. It can be identified by a bunch of symptoms which if present, should not be taken lightly.

1) weight gain - if there is sudden and unexpected weight gain, this is the earliest and definite sign of an underactive thyroid gland. This means that there are strong chances of lowered levels of t3 and t4 hormones in the body, leading to slow metabolism in the body. People suffering from hypothyroidism face increased body weight which becomes difficult to lose despite maintaining healthy diet and exercising rigorously.

2) constant fatigue - if you have slept well the night before, yet you are tired and if this is a regular feature, then chances are that your thyroid gland is underactive. Being low in energy, it gets difficult to complete daily chores or exercise.

3) swelling in the neck - another telltale sign would be goiter - an abnormal swelling in the neck. The thyroid gland mainly concentrates iodine from the blood to create both the thyroid hormones. If there is iodine deficiency in the body, this process gets disrupted resulting in hypothyroidism.

4) hair loss - hypothyroidism causes hormonal imbalance which in turn causes hair loss. If there is sudden, unexplainable hair loss, chances of hypothyroidism are high.

5) imbalance in body temperature - if you are suddenly feeling too cold, it is advised to get your thyroid tests done.

6) brittle nails - if your nails have become brittle, get chipped very easily and look weak, this could be an indication of hypothyroidism.

7) mood changes - the weight gained and the excessive fatigue, both trigger massive mood swings which at times, the person has no control over.

8) constipation - the contractions of the digestive tract get weakened due to low levels of thyroid hormones resulting in constipation. Chronic constipation without any apparent reason could be an indicator of hypothyroidism.

9) irregular menses - if your periods are irregular, do not take it lightly. This could be most likely because of hormonal imbalances which are caused by hypothyroidism.

10) slower heart rate - if your heart beats at less than 60 times per minute, it could be because of the interference by thyroid hormones.

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10 Symptoms That Signal Hypothyroidism. Do You Have Any Of These?

Thyroid is one of an essential endocrine gland which secretes hormones, which are essential for regulating various body functions. A change in the level of thyroid hormones can affect body metabolism and cause many changes including weight, mood, temperature regulation, etc.

Features of Hypothyroidism:
  Caused by reduced amounts of thyroid hormone in circulation.
  Iodine deficiency and Hashimoto s thyroiditis (an autoimmune disorder) are the main causes of hypothyroidism.
  Symptoms include extreme fatigue, constipation, depression, intolerance to cold, puffiness of the face, weight gain, hoarseness of voice, increased cholesterol level, muscle aches, joint pains, and menstrual issues, are some of the common symptoms.

Homeopathy provides remedies which treat not just the above symptoms but the person as a whole.

Sepia Officinalis: Used when the patient presents with the following symptoms.

Weak, slightly yellow appearance
Tendency to faint, especially when in cold temperatures
Extreme intolerance to cold, even in warm surroundings
Increased irritability
Hair loss
Increased menstrual flow that occurs ahead of schedule
Constipation
Increased desire for pickles and acidic foodstuff
Calcarea Carbonica: This popular medicine is useful when patients present with the following symptoms.

Fat, flabby, fair person
Increased intolerance to cold
Excessive sweating, especially in the head
Aversion to fatty foods
Peculiar food habits including craving for eggs, chalk, pencils, lime,
Increased menstruation that is also prolonged and is associated with feet turning cold
Lycopodium Clavatum: Useful in patients who present with these symptoms:

Physically weakened
Increased irritability
Excessive hair fall
Face is pale yellow with blue circles around the eyes
Craving for foods that are hot and sweet
Acidity that is worse in the evenings
Gastric issues including excessive flatulence
Constipation with painful, hard, incomplete stooling
Graphites: Presenting symptoms where Graphites are mainly used include:

Obesity
Intolerance to cold
Depressed emotionally, timid, indecisive, weeping, listening to music
Bloated, gassy abdomen
Chronic constipation with hard, painful stooling process
Lodium:

Good appetite but lose weight quickly
Tendency to eat at regular intervals
Excessive warmth and need to stay in a cool environment
Anxiety about present
Excessive palpitations
Lachesis Mutus: These patient present with the following symptoms:

Feeling extremely hot, so inability to wear tight clothes
Generally sad with no inclination to do any work
Tendency to stay aloof and alone
Excessive talkativeness
Women around menopausal age
These are commonly used remedies; however, a detailed discussion with your homoeopath is essential to zero in on the remedy that will work best for you.

Top Homeopathic Remedies For Hypothyroidism And Hyperthyroidism!

What you eat plays an important role while you are udergoing thyroid disorders. Certain nutrients can influence the functionalities of the thyroid gland, while some foods can prevent the body s ability to absorb the hormones to a substantial extent. As with a lot of health conditions, some factors are not in our hands which include family history and the environmental factors around you. However, the factor that you can control, is diet.

You can empower yourself to choose a healthier lifestyle through the right diet. It is advisable that you choose your foods wisely. Some of the following foods are known to be beneficial in managing thyroid:

1. Yoghurt
You will be happy to know that dairy products can contribute to fulfilling the much-needed iodine requirement of your body. Since livestock are generally given copious amounts of iodine supplements and the process of milking incorporates iodine-based cleaners, you can get plenty of iodine from dairy products, particularly, yoghurt. Greek yoghurt is one of the prime sources of iodine and can make up to about 50 percent of the daily intake of the nutrient.

2. Seaweed
When suffering from thyroid, you need iodine to function properly. Producing adequate levels of the thyroid hormone is important to fulfil the needs of the body. Though taking iodized salt can help a lot in your daily iodine intake, you can take additional aid from seaweed. It is important to understand that taking too much iodine can trigger the symptoms of hypothyroidism and the trick here is to balance out how much your body needs.

3. Milk
Much of the iodine in one s diet comes from dairy products. When you drink about 1 cupful of low-fat milk, you can effortlessly consume around 1/3rd of the daily iodine requirement. It would be better if you take milk rich in Vitamin D. If you are neither a fan of milk nor yoghurt, you may also resort to cheddar cheese, as a single slice can give you around 12 micrograms of the much-needed iodine.

4. Chicken
While all the hype is about iodine, zinc also plays an important role in controlling thyroid symptoms. When you take too little amount of zinc, you can get hypothyroidism and in case you already have this condition, your body will need it more since the thyroid hormones help in the absorption of the minerals. Meat, particularly chicken is an amazing source of zinc when you have it roasted.

5. Fish
Fish is yet another source of iodine since it is found in sea water as well as in soil. Taking 3 ounces per serving of baked cod fish can give you around 99 micrograms of iodine. Moreover, shellfish, lobster, and shrimp are good sources of iodine as well.

By adding these foods, you can definitely control your thyroid symptoms to a considerable extent. Controlling your diet is the key to managing your thyroid condition, and therefore you must pay special attention to it.

Diet Tips For Managing Thyroid!

To understand about hypothyroidism, it is essential to first understand the thyroid gland. Thyroid is an endocrine gland situated in the neck and produces the thyroid hormone. This hormone is then carried through the blood to different cells of the body. It helps the organs to function properly maintain the temperature of the body. The two thyroid hormones are Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4). They regulate protein, fat, carbohydrates and vitamins in the body along with the metabolism. They are also responsible for the proper differentiation and development of cells.

Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid or low thyroid
This is a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive and produces a low amount of the thyroid hormone. To help the thyroid gland produce the required amount of T3 and T4 hormones, the pituitary gland will make additional thyroid stimulating hormone called TSH. Due to this additional secretion of TSH, one also develops chance of thyroid gland enlargement and in some cases, it can form a goiter. 

The major cause of the low level of thyroid hormones is considered to be iodine deficiency. Hence the addition of iodine to the common salt has always been considered to be a safe method to prevent goiter. There can be several other causes of hypothyroidism such as weak immune system, radiation, surgery, Hashimoto s disease, hormonal changes etc. It can be caused due to pregnancy and is called postpartum thyroiditis.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Whatever be the cause of hypothyroidism, it can show the following mild symptoms:

Increased sense of fatigue or tiredness
Sudden increase in weight with puffiness on the face
Hoarse voice
Muscle weakness with aches, tenderness and stiffness
Joint pain or stiffness
Increased sensitivity towards cold thus causing dry skin
Constipation due to slow metabolism
Decreased heart rate
Elevated blood cholesterol level
Irregular menstrual periods
Decreased concentration and depression too
However, it is important to understand that you may show no symptoms or show some mild symptoms that can be easily confused with some other condition. Hence, a proper diagnosis is a must to confirm hypothyroidism.

Diagnosis of hypothyroidism
The most common tests to determine if you have hypothyroidism are TSH Testing and T4 Testing. In case the low level of TSH is due to a defect in the pituitary gland, your doctor may request for another test called TRH. Also, Anti-thyroid Microsomal Antibodies Testing or thyroid peroxidase test (TPO) helps in identifying if the thyroid gland is damaged.

Treatment of hypothyroidism
Hormone replacement therapy is the best form of treatment available today. It involves the use of synthetic Levothyroxine (T4) or liothyronine (synthetic T3). Before these synthetic hormones were used for several years, however, prescribing thyroxine tablets is the most common mode of treatment and they are generally given for a really long period of time, although the dosage may vary. It is only in rare cases of severe decompensated hypothyroidism that one requires hospitalization.

Apart from the above treatment options, it is best advised to avoid soy products, sugary processed foods and alcohol to keep a check on hypothyroidism. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

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