The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the throat just behind the Adam's apple. It acts as the body's thermostat.
Problems of the thyroid gland are common, which constantly regulate things like temperature, hunger levels, and energy expenditure.
According to the National Women's Health Information Center, there are a large number of people suffering from some type of thyroid disease.Over 60% of those suffering from thyroid problems, weight gain or fatigue He is not aware that the basis of his problems like thyroid.
One in eight women in the world is thought to have been affected by a thyroid disorder at some point in their life. Maybe you are one of them.
In the article "What is thyroid", "what are thyroid gland diseases", "what are thyroid symptoms", "how to treat thyroid gland diseases naturally" questions will be answered.
What Are the Most Common Thyroid Diseases?
Thyroid disorders and thyroid disease are conditions that can affect almost every aspect of our lives negatively.
From weight problems to depression and anxiety, the thyroid gland is vital to keeping our physical, mental and emotional lives in balance.
There are two types of thyroid problems: hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
While there are other thyroid problems, most cases fall into one of these two categories. Hypothyroidismis the most common type of thyroid problem. Most people with hypothyroidism are women, particularly those of reproductive or middle age.
To understand how these problems develop, it is necessary to know how the thyroid gland works.
The thyroid gland controls many aspects of metabolism; for example, it regulates various hormones in the body to perform vital functions such as digestion and reproduction.
Sometimes the thyroid gland causes certain hormones to pump too much or too little. In either case your hormonal imbalance the symptoms it causes affect people differently.
The two most important hormones produced by the thyroid gland are T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). These two hormones released from the thyroid gland convert oxygen and calories into energy, allowing them to go to the body through the bloodstream.
This energy is essential for cognitive functions, mood regulation, digestive processes, and much more.
Iodine ve selenium Many nutrients play an important but often overlooked role in the proper functioning of the thyroid.
Iodine and amino acids (building blocks of proteins) are converted by the thyroid into T3 and T4 hormones.
Studies show that too much or too little iodine can affect this important process and contribute to thyroid dysfunction.
Symptoms and Causes of Thyroid Disease
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism affects about 1 percent of women. It is less common in men.
Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, affecting about 70 percent of people with an overactive thyroid. Nodules on the thyroid - a condition called toxic nodular goiter or multinodular goiter - can cause the gland to overproduce hormones.
Excessive thyroid hormone production leads to symptoms such as:
Unrest
- Irritability
- Heart beat
Increased sweating
- Anxiety
Sleep problems
Thinning of the skin
Brittle hair and nails
Muscle weakness
- Weight loss
Puffy eyes (in Graves' disease)
The blood test measures thyroid hormone (thyroxine or T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the blood. High thyroxine and low TSH levels indicate that the thyroid gland is overactive.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is the opposite of hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland functions poorly and cannot produce enough hormones.
Hypothyroidism is often caused by damage from Hashimoto's disease, surgery to remove the thyroid gland, or radiation therapy.
Too little thyroid hormone production causes symptoms such as:
- Tiredness
Dry skin
Increased sensitivity to cold
Memory problems
- Constipation
- Depression
- Gaining weight
Weakness
Slow heart rate
Coma
The doctor does blood tests to measure TSH and thyroid hormone levels. A high TSH level and a low thyroxine level can mean that the thyroid is under functioning.
The main treatment for hypothyroidism is taking thyroid hormone pills. Getting the dosage right is important because taking too much thyroid hormone can cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Hashimoto's disease
Hashimoto's diseaseAlso known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. It can occur at any age, but is most common in middle-aged women.
The disease occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and gradually destroys the thyroid gland and its ability to produce hormones.
Some people with mild Hashimoto's disease may not have obvious symptoms. The disease can be stable for years, and symptoms are often unclear.
They are also non-specific, which means they mimic the symptoms of many other conditions. The symptoms are:
- Tiredness
- Depression
- Constipation
Slight weight gain
Dry skin
Dry, thinning hair
Pale, puffy face
Heavy and irregular menstrual bleeding
Intolerance to cold
Enlarged thyroid or goiter
Testing for the TSH level is usually the first step in screening for any thyroid disorder. If you are experiencing some of the above symptoms, your doctor will order a blood test to check for high TSH levels as well as low thyroid hormone levels (T3 or T4).
Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder, so the blood test also shows abnormal antibodies that attack the thyroid.
There is no known cure for Hashimoto's disease. Hormone replacement drugs are often used to increase thyroid hormone levels or to lower TSH levels.
It can also help alleviate the symptoms of the disease. In rare advanced cases of Hashimoto, surgery may be necessary to remove some or all of the thyroid gland. The disease is usually detected at an early stage and remains stable for years as it progresses slowly.
Graves disease
Graves diseaseIs named after the doctor who first described it more than 150 years ago.
Graves is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. This can cause the gland to overproduce the hormone responsible for regulating metabolism.
The disease is hereditary and can develop at any age in men or women, but is much more common in women between the ages of 20-30. Risk factors include stress, pregnancy, and smoking.
When there is high levels of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream, the body's systems speed up and cause symptoms common to hyperthyroidism. These:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Tiredness
Hand tremors
Increased or irregular heartbeat
Excessive sweating
Difficulty sleeping
Diarrhea or frequent bowel movements
Changing menstrual cycle
Goiter
Puffy eyes and vision problems
A simple physical exam can reveal signs of accelerating metabolism, including an enlarged thyroid, enlarged eyes, and rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.
The doctor also orders blood tests to check for high T4 levels and low TSH levels, both of which are symptoms of Graves' disease.
Radioactive iodine uptake test can also be used to measure how quickly the thyroid takes up iodine. A high iodine intake is compatible with Graves' disease.
There is no treatment to prevent the immune system from attacking the thyroid gland and causing it to produce excess hormones.
However, the symptoms of Graves' disease can be controlled in a number of ways, usually with a combination of treatments.
Goiter
Goiter is a noncancerous growth of the thyroid gland. Worldwide, the most common cause of goiter is iodine deficiency in the diet. Researchers estimate that goiter affects 800 million out of 200 million people with iodine deficiency worldwide.
Goiter can affect people of all ages, especially in some parts of the world where iodine-rich foods are deficient.
However, goiter is more common after the age of 40 and in women who are more likely to have thyroid disease. Other risk factors include family medical history, use of certain medications, pregnancy, and radiation exposure.
If the goiter is not severe, there may be no symptoms. If the goiter grows large enough depending on its size, it can cause one or more of the following symptoms:
Swelling or tightness in the neck
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Coughing or wheezing
Hoarseness
Blood tests will reveal the levels of thyroid hormone, TSH, and antibodies in the bloodstream. This will diagnose thyroid disorders that are usually a cause of goiter. Thyroid swelling or nodules can be checked with ultrasound.
Goiter is usually treated only when it becomes severe enough to cause symptoms. If the goiter is caused by an iodine deficiency, small doses of iodine can be taken.
Radioactive iodine can shrink the thyroid gland. Surgery will remove all or part of the gland. Because goiter is often a symptom of hyperthyroidism, treatments often overlap.
Thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules are enlarged tissues that form on or inside the thyroid gland. Although the cause is not always known, it can be caused by iodine deficiency and Hashimoto's disease. Nodules can be solid or liquid filled.
Most of them are benign, but they can also be cancerous in a small percentage of cases. As with other thyroid-related problems, nodules are more common in women than men, and the risk in both sexes increases with age.
Most thyroid nodules do not cause any symptoms. However, if they grow large enough, they can cause neck swelling and cause breathing and swallowing difficulties, pain, and goiter.
Some nodules produce thyroid hormone and cause abnormally high levels in the bloodstream. When this happens, the symptoms are similar to hyperthyroidism and are as follows:
- High heart rate
- Irritability
Increased appetite
- Shivering
- Weight loss
Moist skin
On the other hand, if the nodules are associated with Hashimoto's disease, symptoms will be similar to hypothyroidism. These are as follows:
- Tiredness
- Gaining weight
Hair loss
- Dry skin
Inability to tolerate cold
Most nodules are detected during a normal physical exam.
Benign thyroid nodules are not life threatening and usually do not require treatment. Typically, nothing is done to remove the nodule if it does not change over time. The doctor may recommend radioactive iodine to shrink the nodules if they grow larger.
Cancerous nodules are extremely rare. The treatment the doctor recommends will depend on the type of tumor. Surgical removal of the thyroid is generally the preferred treatment method.
Radiation therapy is sometimes used with or without surgery. Chemotherapy is often necessary if the cancer spreads to other parts of the body.
Risk Factors for Thyroid Diseases
There are many factors that cause thyroid problems, such as genetics, lifestyle habits, sleeping less, and eating the wrong foods.
Studies show that some of the most important known risk factors for thyroid problems are:
- Selenium, zinc and iodine deficiency, which ensures the healthy functioning of the thyroid gland
Poor diet with processed foods containing sugar and unhealthy fats.
Poor intestinal health as a result of consuming too much caffeine or alcohol
Emotional stress, anxiety, fatigue and depression
Poor gut health triggering inflammation associated with leaky gut syndrome. This disrupts normal nutrient absorption, can cause autoimmune reactions.
It can also interfere with the production of enzymes that make certain things (especially grains, milk, and oils) difficult to digest.
Reactions to some immunosuppressive drugs
Genetic factors. Studies show that thyroid problems tend to run in families.
Pregnancy or other hormonal changes
Inactivity, lack of exercise
- Accumulation of toxicity due to exposure to chemicals or contact with other environmental pollutants.
Natural Treatments for Thyroid Diseases
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are basically a problem of opposites, the treatment for each is very different.
More thyroid hormone is required in one case, and less of the same hormone in the other. Therefore, treatment options vary according to the specific disorder of each patient and the characteristics of the situation.
Medications that stop the production of thyroid hormone or activate a large part of the actual thyroid gland may be given. However, treatment has side effects, is costly, and is not always effective. Before using medication, try the natural remedies mentioned below.
Get enough iodine, selenium, zinc
Most (but not all) patients with hypothyroidism are iodine deficient (most cases of hypothyroidism worldwide are due to iodine deficiency) - so increasing iodine intake will likely help the thyroid to produce the necessary hormones.
Iodine is an essential mineral that helps to transform and release thyroid hormones. seaweed You can get iodine from raw milk, cereal, and some wild fish such as tuna.
Low doses of iodine supplements can also be used. However, excessive amounts of iodine (such as taking high doses of supplements) aggravate thyroid disorder symptoms, so do not use supplements without advice from a doctor.
Selenium helps balance levels of T4 hormones, so try to eat foods high in selenium, such as Brazil nuts, spinach, garlic, tuna or canned sardines, beef, turkey, and beef liver.
Celiac disease or those with autoimmune disorders are the most deficient in selenium, so an additional need may be needed in these cases.
Similarly zinc mineral and also B vitamins (especially vitamin B12) are essential for thyroid health. The best sources are usually animal proteins (beef, turkey, eggs etc. )
Avoid stress and get enough rest
When you are under physical or emotional stress such as anxiety, fatigue, nervousness, the body may be under the influence of stress hormones as adrenaline and cortisol increase.
This has negative effects such as constriction of blood vessels, increased muscle tension and blood pressure, and promotes the release of inflammatory proteins and antibodies that can suppress immune function and damage the thyroid glands.
This is one of the reasons why people with thyroid problems often experience hormonal changes such as libido, fertility problems and mood swings.
Stress should be taken seriously to prevent overloading of the endocrine glands, and it is important to deal with the root causes of mental strain.
Try to beat stress naturally. Like sleeping for seven to nine hours each night, meditating, exercising, writing a diary, joining a support group, fighting addictions and doing fun things ...
Reduce Toxicity
Causes chemical toxins such as drugs, birth control pills or other hormone replacements, commercial beauty and cleaning products, leaky gut and contributes to inflammatory reactions.
Use natural products as much as possible, reduce unnecessary medication, naturalize your diet and quit smoking.
Reduce Inflammation
In addition to eating foods that provide anti-inflammatory, omega 3 fatty acids, it makes sense to supplement your diet with foods such as wild fish, flaxseeds and walnuts.
Probioticsis very useful in combating bowel problems and improving immunity. It can help to stabilize mood and support adrenal / thyroid functions.
Probiotics, known as "good bacteria" in the gut that communicate with the brain about the overall health of the body, are found in foods such as fermented milk (yogurt or kefir), some vegetables.
Precautions to take while treating thyroid problems
Since symptoms of thyroid problems such as fatigue, muscle pain, mood swings, and depression can also be caused by a variety of other ailments, it is best to consult a doctor if symptoms occur too strongly. After confirming that you have a thyroid condition, you can begin to implement treatment options.
Hypothyroidism is usually caused by an iodine deficiency. However, in some cases it can also be caused by heavy metal toxicity such as mercury.
Heavy metals from amalgam fillings can disrupt hormone balance and thyroid function. In this case, the toxic effects should be reduced in order to treat the thyroid problem.
Adding algae to your diet or taking kelp tablets can help eliminate iodine deficiency. If you are going to use tablets, you should be careful and consult your doctor for the correct amount. When the right amount is not taken, you can deal with hyperthyroidism.
As a result;
If you want to eliminate any health problems, you must first help regulate the body's natural balance and improve your nutrition.
If we think the body is doing the right thing at the right time, take it away from toxicity and eat a balanced diet. So let your body heal.
