THYROID DISORDERS INCREASING HEALTH CONCERN
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About thyroid gland
Low functioning thyroid is a new epidemic of the society affecting more than 3% of people. If thyroid function is low, it causes weight gain, loss of energy, cold intolerance and menstrual irregularities in women.
All people who are aged 50 and above should have their thyroid profile (TSH test) done to look for thyroid deficiency.
In younger people, or in cases of infertility, menstrual irregularity, pregnancy, weight gain, one should check for thyroid deficiency.
Iodized salt should be used to prevent thyroid deficiency.
Non–iodized salt is only used in two conditions: firstly in patient with thyroid inflammation and secondly, while doing Jalneti in naturopathy, a yoga–related nasal wash technique.
In pregnancy, even mild thyroid deficiency can affect the growth of fetus hence dose requirement of thyroid medicine is much higher in pregnancy than in non–pregnancy.
In the elderly, the dose of thyroid medicine to be started is always low as compared to one in the adults.
If thyroid deficiency is untreated, osteoporosis (thickening of bone) and/or atrial fibrillation (irregular and fast heart rate) may result. Osteoporosis can cause recurrent fractures and atrial fibrillation may cause brain paralysis.
In Allopathic medicine, thyroid deficiency is treated by synthetic T4 hormone replacement. In TFSP, thyroid extracts are available, which contain both T4 and T3 potential drugs.
In Ayurveda, thyroid stimulant drugs are available but they are effective only if some amount of thyroid gland is available.
As per Ayurveda, eating soya and drinking water from copper vessel is good for thyroid.