Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland situated at the base of the front of your neck, just below your adam's apple. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland do everything from maintaining your heart rate to regulating your body temperature to controlling your body weight. 
Millions of people worldwide suffer from thyroid dysfunction and several don't know about it. This is primarily because people don't tend to link the common symptoms first with a thyroid disease. Some people suffer from mood swings, trouble with memory, weight gain or fatigue, all of which they look upon individually as a problem and hence not piecing together the puzzle of their real medical condition. Here are a few insights that'll help you cope:
How does the thyroid gland work?
About 85% of the hormone produced by our thyroid gland is t4, which is an inactive form of the hormone. After t4 is made, a small amount of is converted into t3, which is the active form of thyroid hormone. T3 is then converted to free t3 or reverse t3. It is the free t3 that forms the base of thyroid functions. 
What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, accounts for 90% of all thyroid imbalances. The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism develop slowly, often over a number of years, which is why it is often missed from regular treatment charts. For instance, fatigue and weight gain are often attributed to stress, lifestyle changes and natural ageing process. But as time goes by, some of the symptoms show a higher level of manifestation like muscle weakness, elevated blood cholesterol, thinning hair, puffy face, hoarse voice and slowed heart rate. 
If left untreated, hypothyroidism may lead to goiter (enlarged thyroid), increased memory problems, low blood pressure, decreased breathing and in extreme cases, unresponsiveness and coma. 
This disease may also occur in newborns, infants and children. Symptoms include excessive sleepiness, poor muscle tone and constipation. It is important to diagnose and treat it early, as in severe cases it may lead to mental and / or physical retardation. In children and teens, it can result in stunted growth, and delayed puberty.
What is hyperthyroidism?
It's the opposite of hypothyroidism, which means in this case the thyroid overproduces hormones. Common symptoms include lack of sleep, weakness, irregular heartbeat, elevated blood pressure and hand tremors. While genetics are partially responsible for it, it is also triggered by autoimmune disorder. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with medication, radioactive iodine (not the first or best choice as it harms white cells too) and surgery. Keeping a focus on your calcium and sodium intake is crucial to curb the disorder.
Treatments: 
Conventional treatments rely mainly on drugs and surgery. Alternative treatments involve diet and lifestyle changes. Taking multivitamins, going gluten free, getting a good night sleep, and reducing stress is all said to help heal your thyroid gradually.

Thyroid Dysfunction and Treatment

Hormones are chemicals produced by the body for optimal functioning of the various body systems. The thyroid produces thyroxin which controls body metabolism, and reduced levels affect metabolism. Deficiency of Iodine is the cause behind it as it is required by the body to produce thyroxin. Hashimoto s thyroiditis which is an autoimmune disorder is another cause.

Some common signs of it are extreme fatigue, intolerance to cold, constipation, puffy face, hoarseness of voice, increased cholesterol level, weight gain, muscle and joint pains and aches, altered menstruation and depression are some of the common symptoms. 

Homeopathy has some very good remedies that are aimed at managing the person as a whole and not just the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Calcarea Carbonica: The most common and popular homeopathic medicine, it is useful in patients who present with the following symptoms.
Intolerance to cold
Fat, flabby, fair person
Excessive sweating on the head
Peculiar food habits including craving for eggs, chalk, pencils, lime,
Aversion to fatty food substances
Constipation i.e. first part of stool is hard followed by softer stools
Excessive menstruation, prolonged and occurs earlier than the regular date, almost always associated with cold feet
Sepia Officinalis: Another significant remedy, Sepia is used when the patient has the following symptoms.
Weak, pale yellow, tend to faint easily in cold temperatures
Extreme intolerance to cold, even in a warm room
Irritable, indifferent
Significant hair loss
Excessive menstruation, occurs earlier than schedule, along with a bearing down feeling that the pelvic organs will pop out through the vagina, and so she always prefers to sit cross-legged
Constipation i.e. stool is passed out as small balls that is painful to pass
Craving for pickles and acidic food stuffs
Lycopodium Clavatum: Symptoms of patients in whom Lycopodium will be used are as follows:
Emotionally irritable and physically weak
Yellow face with blue circles around eyes
Excessive hair fall
Craving for hot foods and sweets
Gastric troubles with excessive flatulence
Acidity that worsens after eating starchy foods, especially in the evenings
Constipation with hard, painful, incomplete stooling
Graphites: Presenting symptoms where Graphites is mainly used include:
Obesity
Intolerance to cold
Depressed emotionally, timid, indecisive, weeps listening to music
Bloated, gassy abdomen
Chronic constipation with hard, painful stooling process
Nux Vomica: The patient in whom Nux Vomica can produce wonderful results presents with the following symptoms:
Cold to the touch
Extremely temperamental, gets offended easily, extremely sensitive
Chronic constipation with scanty stools and a chronic urge to pass stools
Gassy, bloated feeling in the stomach
Desire for alcohol, caffeine, and other stimulations; fatty and spicy foods
Prolonged excessive menstruation
These are commonly used remedies; however, a detailed discussion with your homeopath is essential to zero in on the remedy that will work best for you.

Hypothyroidism - Symptoms + Homeopathic Remedies 

 Thyroid is a small gland situated in front of the neck and secretes hormones like thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3). These hormones control various functions of our body like heart, blood pressure, digestion, metabolism, growth, blood formation, brain function etc. Any fluctuation in the functioning of the thyroid gland can have a great impact on health. The thyroid gland is primarily responsible for energy and metabolism. This gland triggers the genes that make all the cells in the body conduct their specific jobs. But over a period of time, the optimum functioning of the thyroid may reduce because of specific reasons. The gland may start to under-produce or overproduce the thyroid hormone, which may lead to conditions known as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, respectively. 

Patients with hypothyroidism may feel extreme tiredness and fatigue even though they may be sleeping more than before. An unexplained gain in weight, constipation, inability to stand cold temperatures, and constant pain in muscles and joints are some of the other symptoms of hypothyroidism. 
Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, is an endocrine disorder. Patients with this disorder may experience excessive sweating, fatigue, and intolerance to heat. They may even experience restlessness, puffy or protruded eyes, hair loss, and muscle weakness. Such patients may lose weight and are unable to sleep properly at night. In some cases, palpitations or abnormal heart rhythm may also be experienced. 
Complications of Thyroid Disorder 

Hypothyroid and hyperthyroid can cause a number of complications if patients don t take medications. It is important for you to not to ignore any of the aforementioned symptoms and speak to your doctor as soon as possible. 

Hypothyroid complications

Myxedema: This condition is characterized by slowed thinking, swelling of tissues, and accumulation of fluid around major organs like brain, lungs and/or heart. This condition may prove life-threatening if not treated on time. 
Enlarged goiter: This is characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland because of a constant increase in the TSH levels. High cholesterol and triglycerides: This may eventually pave way for heart disease and stroke. 
Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects nighttime breathing where the brain that temporarily stops sending signals to the muscles that control breathing, or by an obstruction in the airway. This may prove fatal if left untreated. 
Low blood pressure: This means not enough blood is getting to capillaries and tissues, particularly in your hands, feet, and brain. You may have chronic nail fungal infections and cold hands and feet if so. 
Hyperthyroid complications 

Heart disorders (cardiac arrest): If left untreated, excess thyroid hormones can lead to congestive heart failure and heart rhythm disorders. 
Osteoporosis: Too much thyroid hormones interfere with the body s ability to use calcium to build bone. This may lead to brittle bones and osteoporosis. 
Thyrotoxic crisis: This is a rare yet life-threatening complication characterized by high fever, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, and agitation. 
Hypertension or high blood pressure: It is a condition in which a patient has high blood force striking the walls of the artery An early diagnosis can help make the treatment of this disorder easier. 
Depending on the condition of the thyroid condition, it requires different ways to manage it. The conventional TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and T-4 (thyroxine) blood tests will be advised and the results should provide a reasonable confirmation of the condition. If doubts still persist an ultrasound or scan can also be ordered. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Is Your Thyroid Gland Working Against Your Body? 

Cow urine therapy has been in practice for many health problems in india for centuries. In india, cow is a symbol of spirituality and cow urine is not only used in devotional practices, but also comes packed with a bunch of health benefits.

'kamadhenu' is worshipped for thousands of years as the goddess who fulfils desire. In ayurveda, cow is considered as the mother of all entities as the products obtained from cow are beneficial to all mankind in many ways. The milk, urine, curd, ghee and dung obtained from cow are beneficial in different ways as food supplement and medicine. Cow urine or gomutra destroys the poisonous effects of residues and makes body disease free. The medicinal usage of panchgavya, especially cow urine is practiced in ayurveda which is classified as complementary and alternative medicine.

The two indian epics, shushruta samhita and charaka samhita, have described that the consumption of cow urine produces body warmth. In modern medical science, it has been well established that the thyroid hormones are responsible for producing body warmth. The oral administration of cow urine has thyroid stimulating effect and therapeutic value of urinary iodine present in the cow urine is immense. Cow urine or gomutra contains iodine, which is easily absorbable from the gastrointestinal tract. The mean urinary iodine levels in dairy cows may vary from 79.2 to 94.8 micrograms of iodine per litre of urine depending upon their physiological conditions. Iodine is an essential element to produce thyroid hormones such as triiodothyronine and thyroxine. These are catabolic hormones that generate heat and cause body warmth. It has been proven that the cow urine contains iodine in required level for normal functioning of thyroid gland.

Urinary iodine concentration in cow urine varies depending upon its biological status and it could stimulate the patient's thyroid gland activity on oral administration of iodine. Thyroxine stimulates more oxygen utilization and heat production by many different cells of the body.

During iodine deficiency, the pituitary gland secretes enhanced amounts of thyroid stimulating hormone (tsh), which causes compensatory adjustment. This leads in the production of more extensive secretory epithelium which in turn will result in enlargement of the thyroid gland and loss of colloid material in the thyroid follicles. In this scenario, exogenous supplementation of iodine brings back the normal thyroid status.

The administration of cow urine, which contain good levels of iodine, can keep the thyroid gland activity on a better footing. We now have the support of scientific validation for the experience of warming up of the human body after consumption of cow urine or gomutra.

Cow Urine Therapy for Thyroid

How Thyroid issues affect your weight - When I talk with women suffering with unexpected weight gain, often one of the first questions I am asked is "Is it my thyroid?"

Sometimes, my answer is "Yes" - after all, our thyroid hormones play a huge role in regulating our metabolism and how we use nutrients.

And research shows that even small changes to the thyroid function can cause weight gain. In fact, many women who have been told their thyroid test results are "normal" may still have a reduced thyroid function (subclinical hypothyroidism) that's enough to cause weight gain and other bothersome symptoms.

At the clinic, I work with women suffering from a wide range of thyroid issues from those just starting to suspect they have a thyroid problem to those already taking medication. And I tell each and every one of them how they can benefit from natural thyroid support and a holistic approach that considers thyroid function as part of overall hormonal balance.

The thyroid and unexpected weight gain: an early signal - Unexpected weight gain and difficulty losing weight may be one of the first noticeable signals that you're struggling with hypothyroidism (a sluggish thyroid) or subclinical hypothyroidism. Many women tell me about their frustration with gaining five pounds every year and not being able to figure out why!

Reduced thyroid function may be the result of the thyroid's impaired ability to produce hormones, or the body may have difficulty using the thyroid hormones. Either way, problems with your thyroid hormones may cause the rate at which you use nutrients (your metabolic rate) to slow down.

We are especially prone to thyroid issues and weight gain as women because the thyroid is linked to other systems that affect weight including the proper functioning of our neurotransmitters, reproductive hormones, and adrenal glands.

Thyroid issues affect women of all ages - While we see women of all ages with thyroid issues, there are times in your life when your hormones fluctuate more and when the development of thyroid issues may be even more likely.

If you have any questions related to thyroid, ask me by clicking on 'Consult'.

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Revealed - How Thyroid Issues Affect Your Weight

The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland that regulate a number of metabolic processes in the body. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are two common thyroid disorders that affect how we create and use our energy. Though these conditions have no cure as such, they can be managed effectively with a few simple home remedies.
1. Include marine phytoplankton in your diet: Sea vegetables such as phytoplankton are rich sources of electrolytes and nutrients such as iodine that is essential to regulate thyroid activity. Some sea vegetables you can try are sea weed, kelp, arame, hijke, kombu and nori.
2. Eat cooked greens: Green vegetables such as kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower are rich sources of vitamins and minerals but if you are suffering from a thyroid problem, it is best to avoid eating them in their raw form. This is because these vegetables contain goitrogens that can disrupt the thyroid functioning if eaten in large quantities.
3. Get some vitamin D: A deficiency of vitamin D in the body can be one of the key factors triggering your thyroid problem. An easy way to deal with this is to expose your body to the early morning sun. Exercising outdoors in the early morning can help boost immunity and regulate calcium metabolism. Exercises like walking can also help stimulate the thyroid gland.
4. Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar helps detoxify the body and aids in maintaining an acid alkaline balance. It also promotes weight loss by increasing metabolism and helps regulate hormone production. To benefit from this, mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water with a little honey and drink on a daily basis.
5. Detox from heavy metals: Heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, cadmium and lead can accumulate in the fat cells, bones and nervous system. If left unchecked, this can become extremely toxic. This accumulation of heavy metals can also lead to hypothyroidism. Hence, if you suffer from thyroid abnormalities, it is a good idea to detox your body. Including chia seeds, brazil nuts, onions, garlic and cilantro in your daily meals is an easy way of doing this. 
6. Cut back on sugar: Excessive sugar consumption may be promoting your thyroid problem and hence it is best to avoid all forms of processed sugar when suffering from a thyroid problem. If possible also cut back on foods that are rich in natural sugars.

Thyroid Disorder - 6 Ayurvedic Natural Remedies to Treat It

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