An Underactive Thyroid
and Your Metabolism
Did you know over 20 million Americans are currently diagnosed with thyroid problems? While they are most common in women, affecting approximately 1 out of 8, thyroid problems also occur in men.
For women, the symptoms can include severe weight loss or gain, mood swings and even infertility. Common symptoms for men include reduced libido, difficulty achieving an erection and breast tenderness or enlargement. Researchers believe the statistics of men with thyroid disease may actually be higher than we know, because some men may be too embarrassed to seek medical treatment for their symptoms.
How The Thyroid Works
The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck, directly below your adam’s apple and is responsible for regulating your body’s metabolism. Your metabolism is the rate that your body uses energy by releasing your thyroid hormone, T4 into the bloodstream. The T4 makes it way to every cell in your body where it converts to T3 or triiodothyronine, which is a hormone that controls the rate of cellular activity. Your thyroid and pituitary gland work together in regulating the levels of T3 in your body. When more T3 is needed, your pituitary gland will send TSH or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone to the thyroid gland telling it to release more T4 in to the bloodstream. The thyroid and pituitary gland work together, carefully blanking your body’s hormone levels. If either gland isn’t working properly, the result is a body that isn’t functioning properly.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when you have an underactive thyroid gland that isn’t functioning properly. In Patients with hypothyroidism, their entire metabolism moves at a slower speed, thus requiring fewer calories than usual to maintain normal energy levels. As a result, the excess calories consumed become stored as fat and weight gain occurs.
Weight gain is the most common problem associated with hypothyroidism, but it isn’t the only symptom of an underactive thyroid. Other symptoms include low energy levels, depression, irritability, intolerance of heat or cold, dry skin and frequent infections, decreased heart rate, dry hair or hair loss, shortness of breath and irritability.
If you believe you might be experiencing low thyroid symptoms, or you suspect you may have a thyroid problem, you should request a test from your physician. Thyroid problems can be easily diagnosed with a simple blood test. Another way to measure this is by taking your basal body temperature under your arm first thing in the morning for five days in a row. The normal auxiliary temperature is 97.8-98.2 degrees F. If your temperature is 97.8-98.2 degrees, you may have a thyroid problem.
Managing Low Thyroid Function
The most common treatment for hypothyroidism is prescription medication in order to replace the T4 hormone, a hormone naturally produced by the body. However, many women are turning to natural alternative therapies to help manage their thyroid problems.
Specific vitamins and minerals are also important to keep your thyroid functioning properly. Proper thyroid function requires adequate amounts of B-vitamin compounds, Zinc, Iodine, Copper, Manganese and Molybdenum. The amino acid L-tyrosine is also required for the production of neurotransmitters that are associated with normal hormone production. If you feel your diet may lack proper amounts of these vitamins, supplementation may be helpful.
That’s where Healthy Choice Naturals Thyroid Essentials can help. Thyroid Essentials is a complete, all-natural doctor formulated thyroid supplement containing 14 vitamins, minerals and herbs to support healthy thyroid function.
A Safe, Drug Free Alternative for your Thyroid Health
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Healthy Choice Naturals
THYROID ESSENTIALS
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